Johannes Kleske - tautoko weblog

Für alle, die sich mit dem Begriff emerging church immernoch schwer tun, hat Andrew eine Artikelserie auf seinem Blog gestartet. Los geht’s mit EmergAnt 1: An Emergent Vocabulary:

Emergent behavior is a good way to describe how new churches are responding to a complex world of chaotic unpredictability and multiple possibilities. One of the defining features of emergent churches is that they are usually started with no predetermined ideal of what they will mature into or what size and shape they will become, since they will be also be shaped by the culture they transform. Another word for this is “missional”. Unpredictability opens the possibility for a miraculous intervention and retooling by God during the process, as long as structures are simple, and communication is constant.

On a simpler lever, “Emergent Church” or “Emerging Church” is the replacement term for what we used to call “Youth Church” in the 80’s, “GenX Church” in the early 90’s, and “Postmodern Church” in the late 90’s. This shift transcends the problem of associating the term with an age group, a cultural preference or a controversial and misunderstood philosophy. Many countries have adopted the term “emerging church” to represent the new networks of churches started by younger people among the new emerging cultures in their respective countries. Churches in the UK often use the name “Alternative Worship”.

Sehr interessant sind auch Andrews Ideen für mögliche andere Namen für die Bewegung. Lesepflicht!