Update on Emergent

Jason Clark, of Emergent UK, has an interesting write-up on a recent meeting of some key Emergent leaders in Chicago. You can read about it here.

I found it interesting on several levels, since I'm (like a number of people, I suspect) cautious about Emergent becoming a marketing sub-category of evangelicalism. It was refreshing to read that the people in Chicago were equally concerned that this not happen.

I also was intrigued to hear their take on the criticisms that they've received -- both helpful and the predominant kind: negative, harsh & judgmental. It reminded me very much of the attacks that the Vineyard endured in the 90's, and I suddenly realize that going through those years as part of the Vineyard was a portion of my "spiritual training" on how to deal with unfair criticism. A very useful learning curve when you commit yourself to being an agent of change within the structures.

And it was just good to be reminded, through Jason's words, of the heart that beats within the Emergent crew.