Comments on: The Decline of the Emerging Church (?) http://www.billdahl.net/articles/the-decline-of-the-emerging-church/ "How might words open hearts? May you find them refreshing and share them among your people." Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:50:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ravens http://www.billdahl.net/articles/the-decline-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-16425 Ravens Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:03:40 +0000 http://www.billdahl.net/?p=1837#comment-16425 [...] agree with Bill Dahl, who writes: The decline of the emerging church? I don’t see it. On the contrary, I continue to [...] [...] agree with Bill Dahl, who writes: The decline of the emerging church? I don’t see it. On the contrary, I continue to [...]

]]> By: Bill Dahl http://www.billdahl.net/articles/the-decline-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-15654 Bill Dahl Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:14:20 +0000 http://www.billdahl.net/?p=1837#comment-15654 Ron: Truly, deeply, appreciated your reply(ies). In terms of your question: <strong>"But my big question to you is, do you envision the idea of tender green shoots being the new reality of faith. Are we moving towards small, sustainable,simple and fluid? Could they be free of building, or is it a merger to Mega. Do you envision multi-faith communities?"-</strong>---Gosh Ron, I really need to think about your question....probably a week or so...My immediate response is that "I am just not that perceptive (or intelligent)--- As I said in the article, I cannot imagine what God's Spirit is up to --- other than vastly more than language or the human mind allows to to characterize...that's a beautiful thing in so many ways --- as you know. However, the multi-faith dimension is clearly one that is blossoming among us. It is so gorgeous it brings tears to my eyes. However, CARTS is a splendid example of one of the many forms of the new "green shoots." Wow! I have to share my own "cart" story with you sometime...It changed my life (really). <strong>"Church"</strong> - wow! There's a term I have been attempting to reinvent for two years now. It has SO MUCH negative, confusing baggage associated with it for so many millions of people. In fact, I think <strong>we must begin using symbols</strong> instead of the word "church" - symbols linked directly to a way of living --- today --- not life lived 2,000 years ago in a culture, with a language(s) and among a people so many cannot relate to today. Once again, I adore your term <strong>"intersection"</strong> --- Yes - Yes - Yes ---- we must be in and among "traffic" --- because we ARE traffic, empowered and directed by the breeze and whisper of God's Spirit. If that "ain't" sustainable and fuel efficient --- Brother, I don't know what is! Ron:

Truly, deeply, appreciated your reply(ies). In terms of your question: “But my big question to you is, do you envision the idea of tender green shoots being the new reality of faith. Are we moving towards small, sustainable,simple and fluid? Could they be free of building, or is it a merger to Mega. Do you envision multi-faith communities?”-—Gosh Ron, I really need to think about your question….probably a week or so…My immediate response is that “I am just not that perceptive (or intelligent)— As I said in the article, I cannot imagine what God’s Spirit is up to — other than vastly more than language or the human mind allows to to characterize…that’s a beautiful thing in so many ways — as you know. However, the multi-faith dimension is clearly one that is blossoming among us. It is so gorgeous it brings tears to my eyes.

However, CARTS is a splendid example of one of the many forms of the new “green shoots.” Wow! I have to share my own “cart” story with you sometime…It changed my life (really).

“Church” – wow! There’s a term I have been attempting to reinvent for two years now. It has SO MUCH negative, confusing baggage associated with it for so many millions of people. In fact, I think we must begin using symbols instead of the word “church” – symbols linked directly to a way of living — today — not life lived 2,000 years ago in a culture, with a language(s) and among a people so many cannot relate to today.

Once again, I adore your term “intersection” — Yes – Yes – Yes —- we must be in and among “traffic” — because we ARE traffic, empowered and directed by the breeze and whisper of God’s Spirit. If that “ain’t” sustainable and fuel efficient — Brother, I don’t know what is!

]]> By: ron cole http://www.billdahl.net/articles/the-decline-of-the-emerging-church/comment-page-1/#comment-15623 ron cole Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:20:38 +0000 http://www.billdahl.net/?p=1837#comment-15623 Bill I really appreciated your take of what seems to be happening on the fringe, or the intersection. Probably two years ago now I left the church I was involved in a minor leadership role. Part of the decision was direction, the church's focus was internal, implementing programs etc to attract outsiders. There was very little outreach or missional vision. Anyways, I ended up on the fringe of the church. I attend a church occasionally, but my image of church has changed. I'm involved in a local soup kitchen ( The Rainbow Kitchen ), a street ministry called CARTS ( CHRISTIAN ACTION REFLECTING THE SPIRIT ), and involved with youth on a local first nations reserve. I'm beginning to ask myself if these might be those green shoots you talk about. Could these small missional communities be called " church ", or should we try to stick that label. But I'm finding the idea of small very sustainable both in terms of mission, and cost...fuel efficient.There highly communal, the focus is so outward that there isn't time to navel gaze. Worship has become more about living than the Sunday morning dynamics of music and sermon. There is a reality of living out the texts, rather than just in them. And there is a different level of engagement also...we have people in the mix that might not be believers, also of different faiths. There is no agenda to convert, there is more of a sense of belonging, joining the mission, following. If in the midst of that the Spirit speaks and changes hearts, great...if not they still belong.Anyways, sorry for going on so long, but I wanted to add some context. But my big question to you is, do you envision the idea of tender green shoots being the new reality of faith. Are we moving towards small, sustainable,simple and fluid? Could they be free of building, or is it a merger to Mega. Do you envision multifaith communities? Anyways Bill in my two years outside the church living in the intersection has really opened my eyes to the opportunities. Again, I loved your article...it was hope filled, filled with encouragement. I actually think emegence has got bigger it has spilled outside of what was, into something like God...becomming more and more undefinable. Bill I really appreciated your take of what seems to be happening on the fringe, or the intersection. Probably two years ago now I left the church I was involved in a minor leadership role. Part of the decision was direction, the church’s focus was internal, implementing programs etc to attract outsiders. There was very little outreach or missional vision. Anyways, I ended up on the fringe of the church. I attend a church occasionally, but my image of church has changed. I’m involved in a local soup kitchen ( The Rainbow Kitchen ), a street ministry called CARTS ( CHRISTIAN ACTION REFLECTING THE SPIRIT ), and involved with youth on a local first nations reserve. I’m beginning to ask myself if these might be those green shoots you talk about. Could these small missional communities be called ” church “, or should we try to stick that label. But I’m finding the idea of small very sustainable both in terms of mission, and cost…fuel efficient.There highly communal, the focus is so outward that there isn’t time to navel gaze. Worship has become more about living than the Sunday morning dynamics of music and sermon. There is a reality of living out the texts, rather than just in them. And there is a different level of engagement also…we have people in the mix that might not be believers, also of different faiths. There is no agenda to convert, there is more of a sense of belonging, joining the mission, following. If in the midst of that the Spirit speaks and changes hearts, great…if not they still belong.Anyways, sorry for going on so long, but I wanted to add some context. But my big question to you is, do you envision the idea of tender green shoots being the new reality of faith. Are we moving towards small, sustainable,simple and fluid? Could they be free of building, or is it a merger to Mega. Do you envision multifaith communities? Anyways Bill in my two years outside the church living in the intersection has really opened my eyes to the opportunities. Again, I loved your article…it was hope filled, filled with encouragement. I actually think emegence has got bigger it has spilled outside of what was, into something like God…becomming more and more undefinable.

]]>