From the Pastor's Desk

Members and Friends of the Parish,

I have been reading about the "Emergent Church" recently. And have run up on a couple of interesting facts. First this expression of the church is more variable than would be familiar to us. The "Traditional Church" is very much used to prepackaged ideas which can then be implemented. This involves easily counted metrics by which success can be judged. There are near "scientific" answers which let you know what to expect when implementing these programs. This also allows for those who wish to be more active to be handed a preprinted manual which contains the necessary steps to improve ministry in their area of interest. This model also then can be very much driven by the Pastor at the top who directs the show. This does not work in the "Emergent Church" because it is very much driven by the laity (the people in the pew) and a reemergence of structures that reflect the "Priesthood of all Believers." One other thing which frequently does not work is prepackaged ideas. These churches are molded to fit the people who are currently in attendance. Teaching is based on discussion of hard ideas and real life topics of and by the people not simply by the pastor.

In the latest copy of the Lutheran they suggest some questions to ask. The first question is "What is the church?" with two subset questions, "Hypothetically if you had a church building where the gospel wasn't being preached rightly, would that be a church?" and "If you had a school, home or prison where people (gathered,) proclaimed the gospel and celebrated the sacraments would that be the church?" It then lists four other exercises which look at worship style, evangelizing, risk taking and discipleship. Under risk taking it includes a reminder that the definition of insanity is continuing to repeat the same action while expecting a different result, suggesting that many churches are averse to change and then asks "Is your church growing or shrinking? Is it averse to risk? What changes or innovations has your church embraced in the last 10 years?" The "Emergent Church" is seen as the forefront of the church that will exist in years to come and it can be uncomfortable because it is not easily defined, it is not easily packaged and replicated and it is about community, authenticity and discipleship far more that form or format. This is the church of a Postmodern people but who are the postmodern people?

"Postmodern refers to a cultural shift (away) from modernism, a belief that undeniable truths can be established through human observation and reason.¹" One of the groups to come out of this is sometimes called the "Cultural Creatives" who by one estimate represent more than 25% of people in this country and whose numbers are growing. The values, world views and culture of these people tend to be shaped by a different set of questions than "Modem" people are using. They are concerned with authenticity or ensuring that their actions and language match their values. They want to be engaged in the whole and learn from the process but do not assume linear or analytic learning is possible or necessary. They tend to idealism and activism both social and political. They tend to see the world as a whole and are concerned with how their actions affect the ecology of other places. They (male and female) value what have historically been called womens issues. This group of people tends to be concerned with spirituality more than religion. Some of the positive traits that come out of this though are altruism, self actualization and high rates of volunteerism. The "Cultural Creatives" are big picture and detail people. They understand that the details matter but only when you understand how the action effects the larger picture. Often this larger picture is global in scope. Finally, these are people for whom technology tends to be integral to their lives not an add on and a people not unlikely to give up "climbing the ladder" to spend their time and wealth pursuing a worthy cause. This short snap shot fails to include many important characteristics like the tendency toward rejection of; intolerance, a failure to care for anygroup including elders, women and children, materialism, greed, status displays, and social inequality.² Hopefully this brief introduction helps us to understand them a little better.

These are often the people who the church is looking for new ways to reach. They are already in our midst. They tend to appreciate unique and original artwork. They are a creative and vibrant people who like to be involved but sometimes only when they are part of the whole process. They do not like being labeled. When we consider that reaching out to them may be reaching into the unknown, it can be scary. To the extent that they are different from and operate under different premise from our selves reaching out to them may feel scary. All to often because we are reaching out to what we do not understand we miss the mark or because we are scared we choose not to really reach out. There may be the fear that if we truly welcome them into our midst things will change and we will no longer have that which we cherished. I present this in the hopes that it will help us in our on going discussion of where First Grace Lutheran Parish is headed as we move toward and into our future. I close with the following passages for you to ponder:

^NRSPsalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

^NRSMatthew 6:27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? "Just a few years ago, we thought emerging ministry was only a young adult issue, but it's not. And I know other folks thought it was about having a coffeehouse. But it's not about coffee either... It's about your heart." Ruben Duran ELCA director for development of new congregations.

"Our goal isn't to be different; it's to convey the message in the best way possible" said Norris Webber when talking about the emergent church.

^NRSActs 11:26 So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called "Christians."

^NRS1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ³¹So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. ³²Give no offense... ³³ just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved.

Shalom,

Pastor Kit

1 The Lutheran, June 2008, pg 15 2 The Cultural Creatives, How 50 million people are changing the world. Paul H Ray & Sherry Ruth Anderson. Harmony Books. 2000. pp 7 - 20.

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