The Emergent Revolution

Been reading alot about the emergent church movement as of late. It has crept up in many conversations, so I've been doing some research. I think the whole idea started in the Northwest somewhere, where all great ideas emerge, namely Starbucks. It's amazing how quickly the emergent church idea has spread across the Great Plains. Like a flame that licks along a newspaper.

I've tried to get a grip on the thing. From what I can tell, there is confusion and disension even among it's originators. I think the concept is beautiful. The church wanting to reach the world instead of simply ministering to the already faithful. To be honest, the church hasn't figured that part out very well either.

The emergents also encourge those that attend a "dead" church to leave. This is where it gets tricky, in my opinion. Some would say leave the church altogethre and find God in your own way using your own methods. Some would say continue to gather with believers in home churches. Others still want you to search until you find a healthy church and then become a member of that community.

The paths are different, but it seems the destination is the same--a closer relationship and a deeper understanding of God and his Son, Jesus. If that is the pursuit, can it really be all that bad?