Yes . . . I KNOW, one cannot define the attributes of things “postmodern,” one can only describe them. Still, if churches and communities are going to explore new ways of raising and nurturing leadership, shouldn’t there be some idea of what makes a good pastor or spiritual leader in the postmodern context?
Here is a stab at what I think are a few valuable characteristics for those who lead, influence, sojourn along side of or even pastor that group of people that are known as postmodern, emerging, 21st Century, don’t-put-me-in-a-box-what box?-there-is-no-box! followers of Christ.
An effective pastor of the postmodern persuasion might want to think about embracing the following realities of what to DO and how to BE in ministry.
Take everyone seriously // I think we must start with the assumption they everyone comes to a place of discernment from a place of deep faith. This does not mean we agree or even accept everything that one thinks, but we at least begin with a posture of trust rather than suspicion. Yes, we may later factor in issues of mental health, personal interaction, kookiness, etc, but even those who have “issues” need to be heard . . . I know I do.
Thrive in the gray // I think that one of the core reasons there is such a disconnect between so many entities in the world and church is this idea that the purpose of faith is to conquer ambiguity. Some put all their energy into creating what I think is an unattainable and ultimately empty pursuit: to remove all struggle from life. Another option is to see faith as something that helps us to navigate well, find peace and even thrive in the midst of the ambiguous, gray, chaotic ways of the world.
Embody Appreciation over Acceptance // One of the digs on the Postmodern church is that we just willy-nilly accept any and every thing that comes our way. Some do. This is a mistake. While always leaving room to change it is essential to maintain a clear understanding of one’s core beliefs, essentials, etc. Hearing the point of view of others should be appreciated always, but stop short of acceptance without some measure of discernment. I think that one of the worst things a Postmodern pastor can do is to see the postmodern search for truth as a mandate to give up ones personal understanding of truth. To go to such lengths as to give up one’s truth takes one out of the conversation that a body must continue to have as it moves towards understanding corporate truths. Hold strong to what one believes while being able to maintain an appreciation for the other is essential.
Love Jesus // Cynicism is the disease of our day. I am not talking about being diligent or even discerning, but outright cynical about the world. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus is about hope, new life and all things that are beyond humanities imagination. Leadership must embrace and nurture this reality and relationship as it manifests itself both individually and communally.
And some bonus characteristics for we mainline emergents
Embrace the past and unleash the future // For those steeped in tradition and are discovering the postmodern within, postmodernity is not about destroying and forgetting the past, but about a life that flows from and emerges from the past. So . . . this means we need to embrace where we have come from and how we have gotten here without getting to the point of worshiping tradition. For those who prefer a posture of “destroy the institution” I think that they will be hard pressed to move out of a place where they are defined solely by what they ARE NOT; whereas a healthy understanding of the past will better help us those in the future to be defied what they ARE.
Challenge the family // While the outsider’s voice is often the most helpful to spark change, for those of us in mainline settings, if we expect change and transformation, we must ourselves speak out as part of the family. Sure there may be a point where division is needed, but for the most part when we get frustrated with our family, we can either run away, stay and fight or try to find ways to engage in faithful discernment no matter how hard or stressful. Challenging words spoken with love and confidence that are built on relationships of respect can be more powerful than we might think.
Cross the aisles // Arrogance is bad. Mainliners, while I do believe we have some wonderful things to offer to the larger Christian conversation, we also believe that we hold THE truth is so many ways: leadership, theology, style, etc. We must get over ourselves and come to the realization that people will and do experience a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ in a variety of ways. We must reassert our place at the table in the many conversations that have deemed us obsolete simply because of our affiliations. We must also approach those conversations with a confident humility that allows our voices to be respected and heard.
So, there you have it, some early week musings. I desperately wanted to include “Be on Facebook, “Grow a Goatee” and “get trendy glasses” but I figured those where understood 
About Bruce Reyes-Chow
Good stuff. I hope I can do all of those things (I’ve already got facebook and the Goatee. I desperately want the glasses, but my vision is too good!)
Drew – Yeah, I have seriously NOT wanted to get my eyes fixed because I LOVE my glasses. How is that for just silly?!?!
I got the glasses but I do not like facial hair. I hope that we as the Body can run as fast as we can into the unknown (mystery) with faith as our guide. Imagine a world absent of worry for survival and an eye on transformation and reconciliation!
Good thoughts Bruce. I especially liked the “challenge the family” trait. I do think it is so important for us to not be either presbyterian or emerging. The place of an emerging conversation in a connectionalist church is radically important and in many ways it makes me think about my own family system. Can I look at the family I grew up in and think of how my new/different/far out views have shaped and redirected individuals and the community that is my family? Yes, and in the long term I guarantee that the emerging conversation in the PC (USA) will be a source of visible transitions and developments. Why not imagine the best case? Hope to see you around.
Ryan – thanks. I do think the survival/sustainability question is one that many “emerging” communities needs to face, not just about saving one’s life, but in order to figure out how long one’s life will/should be.
Andrew – I think those of us who have positive denominational experiences have a huge gift to bring to the table, obviously not as a cure all, but a vital piece of the future. And hope to see you around as well. And who best to challenge the system, but ones who appreciate it?
I am thankfully not (yet) growing any facial hair since I am female. And I don’t need visual correction, so no trendy glasses. But I started a faith gathering among poker players in a tavern using secular music and art forms – does that count?
I want to challenge your saying that we should seek out our own beliefs. Is it really paramount that we have a unique voice? What about seeking God’s truth together, even if it’s not very comfortable for us? Isn’t that what it means to be Reformed, to submit to God? Aren’t we about serving and growing in knowing God without pretending we know the entire Divine mind and heart with all its nuances?
This aspiration doesn’t mean conquering ambiguity or mystery. But it does mean that only God knows the real Truth, and getting close together through Jesus leads us closer to realizing ‘Truth’ …but simultaneously to embracing life’s struggle, as Jesus did.
One final note of challenge: emergent gatherings seem to lack speakers who embrace and seek God’s authority out of devotion and love. The notion of tolerance and all voices at the table seems to fall flat. If a person believes God’s plan for everyone includes Christ, that drawing people toward Jesus is what it’s all about, is that too exclusive and uncool to be invited to the “conversation”? When will emergent gatherings include more than platform presentations and “how I recovered from fundamentalism and saw the light”? Forgive my venting about people venting. All I’m trying to say is that we can embody the concept of “conversation” in more creative ways and encourage people to seek God for healing and understanding rather than looking at their navels.
On the other hand, emerging conversations certainly have the potential to turn PCUSA around. May God use us to bring new life.
I appreciate the need to define–Having attended the Emerging Church conference at CTS back in February, there was a real need to “define” what the Emergent Church (and it’s adherents/pastors/subscribers) was. The irony was that those who counted themselves among the emerging felt no need to define it. I appreciate, probably the most accurate definition, though, about thriving in the gray–part of what actually WAS defined at this conference–the idea of Ortho-paradoxy–living faithfully into the tension. The more I thought about this the more I realized the truth here. Boundaries are important. Definitions are important. Christ is crucial. But our value of interpretation and our willingness to let the Spirit blow on through is also crucial. We need to listen more and speak less. We need to love more and insist less. There’s obviously lots of room for improvement in our journey.
yeah. the reason that facial hair was included was because of some other un-written rules, like: you must be a white male in your 20s or 30s, and upper-middle class but pretending that you aren’t.
But hopefully those rules are going away. I see myself enough already!
Labrat – Thanks for the challenges. I think that the seeking of our beliefs IS indeed the way we discover God’s inerrant Truth for humanity. I also get frustrated with the tone of most of the events and think the PC(USA) conversation here is helpful in finding what I think is a fuller expression of what may be coming or “emerging.”
Tim – YES!
Drew – You are right on although I am an upper-class Asian male in my 30′s
Cross the asiles – “We must get over ourselves and come to the realization that people will and do experience a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ in a variety of ways.”
I like that sentence a lot – it has been huge for me to see and understand that in my youth ministry (in a traditional church that I am pushing to think a little less traditionally…). A lot of good points in this post. And I do have facebook, and trendy glasses (though I’ve been doing contacts more lately), but no goatee (being a girl, that would look pretty wierd).
Have you ever seen this (humorous) list – “you might be emergent if…”
http://purgatorio1.blogspot.com/2005/11/you-might-be-emerging-if.html
sorry – Cross the Aisles
Cross the Aisles – Thanks, glad it was helpful. Love the list.