The General Governing Council here at presbymergent is deeply troubled by a recent interview with the otherwise estimable Phyllis Tickle. In that interview, which was conducted over at the Ooze, she lays out her informal thoughts about the role that we as “hyphen-mergents” might play in the revitalization and renewal of denominational Christianity. We have heard much of the chatter in the emergent world around her assertion that the timeline for denominational acceptance of the emergent ethos is short. In response to this conversation, we feel we must raise a cautionary voice. There is, in her description of presbymergent, a deep and critical conceptual flaw that we on the GGC feel must be addressed.
We do not use a hyphen.
Other than that, she’s got some pretty cool things to say. If you haven’t yet seen the interview, give it a watch:
About David Williams
We do not use a hyphen.
Bravo. Well played.
Can the use of a hyphen really say that much!?
boy, she makes my heart ache for a new day and a new church.
I actually think she is raising a good point but I believe her timeline is way off. No existing denominational body can possibly act in 18 months. Heck Ga only meets every two years now. If we are lucky we can expect to begin to see some movement in a decade and perhaps not reach full acceptance and transformation for a century. Yet we must continue to act with a sense of urgency and work for each small victory or twitch of the larger body.
This is good stuff. Thanks for posting the video, and for the clever introduction. I resolve to use no hyphens whatsoever in my writing for the rest of the day.
Late to the game on this one – real late … Re: Phyllis Tickle 18 months — non-sense and foolishness. There is nothing monolithic about the church today or ever really. There is and will be new ‘emergence’ sprouting and happening from just about anywhere — b/c of technology, information, accessibility etc. — including within the PCUSA. To establish the Emergence community as if it is to crown the new Protestant Reformation under the name of Luther, Calvin, etc. is naive, not possible in the flattened society, and scary if it were indeed possible. Domineers such as Mark Driscoll are trying their level best however.
I get tired of all the lingo. Emergent blah blah blah.
Jesus Christ. Love. Mercy. Forgiveness. People have a hard enough time grasping and living out these concepts without adding and confusing issues with hip, edgy, cool, new lingo that often has more to do with marketing people’s book careers and their ‘new’ theology that is so relevant and edgy and… did I mention edgy?
Give me a break. Just follow Jesus, do what he did and get over yourselves. The Simple Way. Emergent Church. Blah, blah, blah.
Utter crap.
Try being thoughtful and creative for Christ without all the selling of yourselves like some 50s brand name advertisement: “IT’S NEW! EMERGENT! SAVVY! JESUS FOR PRESIDENT!”
Tired of people using Christ instead of being used by him.
Thanks for playing, Vincent. Here’s your prize.
Vincent – I agree and am sympathetic: I’m tired of the lingo, tired of watching new book tours seemingly more in the name of the touring author and their ‘thing’ than the way of being shown by Jesus. I might go so far as speculating that it verges in taking the name of God in vein. That said, I’m afraid we will always have labels and lingo – verbal/written communication is part of being human. My hunch is that the reality of what we are dealing with is what has always been in the hearts of people, only now, people, via technology have a bigger bullhorn, and power structures have been flattened, creating more mini-fiefdoms. As far as edgy and new theology is concerned: hasn’t there always been progress in style, and always debate in theology? The problem might be when ppl use these as ways to be better than everyone else, and as a means for profit and stature more than genuine contribution to the faith community. It is easy to be critical, which unfortunately is a big (not all) piece of the ‘emerging’ voices.
Congrats on your prize Vincent. I’m not sure if that was condescension by Landon.
Oh, make no mistake – it was condescension. I don’t have much stomach for folks who show up just to tear down and criticize.
In a case like this, the ancient words of Gamaliel are prophetic:
Acts 5:38-39
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
NIV
I may never live to see what Presbymergent may become, but you will know whether you have succeeded or failed if the next generation after you follows your path or returns to the more traditional one.