I just finished chatting with Cleave, and in the course of our conversation I told him I was going "anti-movement".
Here's a comment I left on Jason's blog this morning:
I think they are out there too, and others have already cited examples.
"Where are the gatherings of people, not telling us about the need to change, but who have changed, who can tell stories of how new communities have grown, with new disciples and followers of christ?"
Based on recent experience, I'd say the thing is (I almost said "the problem is", but changed my mind) when you "gather" people to talk about it, those who are doing it are outnumbered by those who are thinking about it, those who would like to do it, those who are worried about those doing it, those who think its cool to talk about doing it, and those who have no intention of doing it but want to hang out with the rest.
I'm not sure you can prevent that. I think the key is individual relationships. They're more work to find and cultivate than a web site, a conference and a mailing list, but well worth it.
Posted by mike at March 19, 2004 01:35 PM | TrackBackOnce you are actually doing it, it turns out there really isn't all that much to talk about - at least not nearly as much as it seems to those who aren't out there doing it.
In other words, what seems like such a huge deal when looking on turns out to be no big deal when you're actually doing it. It's just life.
Posted by: kevin on March 19, 2004 03:34 PMMaybe the proposed categories are a little too limiting ... and more gray (and grace) is needed in the model described. Maybe there's a bunch of us Christ-followers out there just trying the best we can. And maybe we're imperfect in our failed human attempts. But those failed attempts at true community, and those imperfect Christ-followers, are no less genuine ... and should be encouraged and supported for the steps forward in their journey ... both big & small.
Posted by: gord on March 20, 2004 01:25 PMAny categorizing is limiting, that's for sure Gord. I was refering to the specifics of emergent, and the "sects" I saw gathering there. Unfortunately... or fortunately, those you describe would have been in the minority.
Thanks for the reality check.
Posted by: Mike on March 21, 2004 07:48 AMWho was the minority? ... imperfect Christians? ... I wouldn't have thought so!!
And ... reality checks are free anytime ... not even limited to one to a customer!!