Why I’m Presbymergent
Oral Roberts University and Open Source Software make an odd combination in a sentence (or even by themselves, for that matter), and even more so as an introduction to thoughts on “Why I’m Presbymergent.” Still, here’s my story:
I grew up Methodist (by the way, how come they get Superman, and all we get is Reverend Craig?) and somehow wound up at ORU for my undergraduate studies. It was a little bit of a culture shock. While some in the emergent community are slowly emerging from evangelicalism, I jumped in, jumped out, and then ran away fast. Too fast. After serving almost singlehandedly as His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition (to ORU Pres. Richard Roberts, televangelist and heir to Oral) for several years, I graduated and retreated back to the safety of traditional, mainline and somewhat liberal protestantism. Whenever I visited a church, my litmus test for approval was “Do they sing hymns accompanied solely by piano or organ?” This led me, of course, to Presbyterianism, which I embraced — joining a PCUSA New Church Development and the only Presbyterian church in our suburb of Frisco, Tx.
Later, as a high school English teacher in Dallas, I was frustrated (mostly with Microsoft, which is ironic considering the aims of the B&MG Foundation) trying to get software and computer access to inner-city kids whose families couldn’t afford it. I discovered Open-Source Software, which is so much more than software — it’s a movement. The emphasis on transparency, community, and social justice appealed to me. Sound familiar? It wasn’t long before I discovered (via the usual suspects: McLaren, Rollins, Pagitt, etc.) a theology that matched my growing philosophy. I am as passionate about what Emergent can do for the Kingdom of God as I am about what Open Source can to for the worlds of information, music, art, and education.
In a marriage, partners grow and change — sometimes drastically — in the course of a lifetime. Often, it causes difficulty and tension, but it’s not cause to abandon the relationship and find a new one. Change presents an opportunity for unconditional love. For this reason, though I am greatly changed, I remain with the church and denomination that I love and have committed myself to. In fact, this change and renewal has recently prompted me to take things to a higher level of commitment: pursuit of ordained ministry in the PCUSA.
Oral Roberts once held large revivals throughout the mid-west, under the roof of a circus-tent. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, and I hope that we, as Presbymergents, can inhabit it: a revival that brings healing to a hurting world, a big tent where all are welcome, and a bit of a circus, too.
Trackback by Anonymous on 19 February 2007:
Presbymergent…
Presbymergent is the online community for those who live in both the Presbyterian (PCUSA) and Emergent/emerging church worlds and want to try and find a balance between the two.
We are pastors, lay people, seminarians, theologians, youth directors and…
Pingback by Presbymergent Retrospective, 2007 : presbymergent on 1 January 2008:
[...] panel of editors kick off a series of posts on the theme “Why I Am Presbymergent.” Notable guests like LeRon Shults, Nannette Sawyer, and Troy Bronsink, weigh [...]