Emergents Weblog

Today the church is struggling to revision itself. The emergent culture is almost rejecting the existing models of church life wholesale. Interestingly, when using google you will find more than 60,000 websites that contain “Emerging church movement”. Christians are searching for the answers, trying to redefine and shape how we live as people of “the way” in this present culture.

In the second chapter of Acts we read that the people of “the way” “…met together in homes and devoted themselves to to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” Acts 2:42

As I was growing up, my mother and father took our large family camping every summer – for two weeks! Those trips are among many of my most cherished memories.  One experience that is a highlight of most every young boy is that of building, starting and fueling a fire. Of course popcorn, bread rolls or smores were a welcome addition to any evening fire.

The experience often followed this patern… Shortly after arriving at the desired camp site, mom would deploy each of the kids to perform our various duties which were a joyous relief from the usual chores back home. As a young boy I was assigned the detail of collecting kindling. Later when I had enough mussle to swing and axe and hatchet, I would be allowed to join my father to retrieve the logs and then size them appropriately for the fire pit in the rustic campsites my mother favored – the kind with pit toilets! LOL.  Finally, with the collection of kindling, trash left behind by the previous campers, and a various sized logs we were ready and allowed to set and start the fire. Let the fun begin!

There is a similar analogy with the emergent church. Start by collecting up the usable assets left behind by others; then collect enough young wood – enough of the kind that will ignite and engulf the logs that are much older and more resistant to fire. Finally, add three or four of of he seasoned logs preferrably these will be split in half or thirds so that the core is exposed – this will help the log catch fire. Finally, when the flame is high, carefully add two unsplit logs – these will burn slow and be the source of heat all night long as they form a fabulous bed of coals that will give you the ability to maintain a roaring bonfire or roast the best golden yellow marshmallows you’ve ever tasted. 

STIR up your FAITH
S – Service – Make radical act of generosity and when they ask why, tell
T – Train yourself – Take steps to learn the skills needed to share the Gospel without church programs.
I – Intimate Relationships – form a small group or covenant community that is devoted prayer, mutual encouragement, and exploration of the Gospel
R – Read the words of Jesus and let them sink in, let them take root in your heart and mind and be expressed in your interaction with others

The apostle Paul, educate and certified as such by the Sanhedrin, gave thought to this simple fire-building analogy. He used it to remind Timothy about the power of God’s Holy Spirit when he wrote, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Timothy 1:6

The Greek word for “stir”, is anazopureo. It means ‘to kindle afresh’ or ‘keep in full flame’. Paul meant to encourage Timothy not to let the fire in him to dwindle or ie down due to neglect – a lack of fuel. 

The fire of our souls needs fresh fuel, the Word of God, and oxygen – obtained by incarnational ministry, missional purpose, and fresh air evangelism and ministry. 

So what is it we emergents need to consider when reading this passage? How shall we “stir up” our faith? It may be like me and my daughter that you can take a meditative thirty-minute walk through the woods and mend your souls frayed ends while you commune with God (hey, it was the original model of worship) or you may need to crank up the stereo, jump in the shower or pull out you guitar so that you can sing out to God from the depths of your soul; and perhaps you need to get out and mingle, get some fresh air through the work of incarnational ministry or snuggle up to a Christian sage to gain some sustenance through their wisdom and understanding of the character of God. – No matter how, find the time to “stir up” your faith. 
Not sure you’re an Emergent Christian… Gibbs & Bolger have identified a number of core based values in the international emerging church drawing on narrative action research. Emergents are those who:
1. Take the life of Jesus as a model to live (life as spiritual journey). 2. Transform the secular realm. 3. Live highly communal lives. 4. Welcome those who are outsiders. 5. Share Generously. 6. Participate. 7. Create. 8. Lead without control (unity in diversity). 9. And function together in spiritual activities.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerging_church

See Also: If Your House Was The House of God, by Keith Giles at http://www.seedstories.com/articles/article.cfm?id=97

For a regional model of the “emegent movement” see: http://emergingchurchnetwork.com/about/