Thoughts on the Wrestle

Just before the Kings Head Theology Pub last Friday, Grace left a comment asking about how we would envision a missional emerging church; thinking this was a tongue-in-cheek question, I wrote a brief, tongue-in-cheek answer: (summary) "beer, friendship, talk about God". What follows is our ensuing correspondence, which Brother Maynard has successfully admonished me to post in its entirety as a blog entry.

Robby, Thanks for the simple answer. I already know how to do that.

However, it's likely that we American women will start our local chapter at the wine bar.

I'll be looking forward to whatever insights you continue to share.

Grace

Grace,

It's a big question, yes, and our answer was short and -- as you pointed out -- you already know how to do that (and my wife would probably agree with you about the wine bar, although she enjoys Guinness as well).

Part of the strength of the emerging church -- and I truly don't mean this as a way of dodging your question -- is that each group of people has to wrestle through what it looks like for their own unique context. There are emerging Baptist, Pentecostal, Salvation Army, and Mennonite groups that I'm aware of, and they seem to be incorporating bits and pieces from here and there, while retaining an appreciation and expression that is borne out of their denominational backgrounds (and some are still with their denominations, just doing things differently).

Other groups, like the one that Brother Maynard is a part of, have removed themselves from their original churches, and meet as a house church. They focus on community, shared meals/BBQ's, and are trying to find ways of ministering to their literal neighbours on their street. Some families are actually moving to that neighbourhood so they can be a combined presence. In fact, one of the women at the Kings Head on Friday night was one of their not-yet-following-Jesus neighbours; she had a lot of fun, and I met her husband the next night at a BBQ at Ken The Reluctant Blogger's place.

So, even from the first-ever theology pub at the Kings Head, a woman from Maynard's group was already living what their group is trying to wrestle with: how to impact their neighbours as Christians.

I've visited your blog several times, and from reading your posts, you have a great head start already on wrestling through your own expression of being a missional community in a postmodern, post-Christian culture. I suspect -- if you haven't found this already -- that your blog is going to be a real resource for people that you're in relationship with.

Wendy & I used to sometimes be frustrated with Todd Hunter (our church-planting coach), when we'd ask him questions about doing church differently, and he'd say something to the effect of "you're already on the right track -- just keep going for it"!

But Todd was right in this: every group has to wrestle through it for themselves, partly because every group is unique, but also because in order to truly "own" whatever expression you develop of being a Community of Faith, it has to be your convictions, based on your honest wrestling.

One of the reasons I value the online conversation, as well as Kings Head evenings whenever they happen, is that we learn from each other, but we won't necessary do things exactly like each other. That's what made answering your question difficult, and also what makes the ongoing online conversation so valuable.

(When I first read your comment above, I wondered if perhaps I had offended you with our answer; if that was/is the case, please forgive me. Sometimes, when I try to be funny online, it comes across wrong because it's hard to read "tone of voice" into words on a screen. Again, if I caused any offence, I am truly sorry.)

Robbymac

Robby,

Sorry to worry you. I should have added a smiley to my comment. I just meant that we've got the drinking and hanging out with friends part down pat.

It's the rest of it that keeps me wondering and, as you said, wrestling. I understand what you're saying about discovering our unique expression.

I know the question was difficult, and I was a bit tongue-in-cheek in asking, but it is always helpful to hear what others are doing and learning.

Thanks for taking the time to give me such a thorough response. In the meantime, I'll keep looking for the easy answer.

Grace

Grace, I thought your original question was sorta tongue-in-cheek (given its breadth), but I just wanted to be sure. Thanks for your clarification, and if you ever do find an easy answer, let us know, okay?

Robbymac

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So, there you have it. Some thoughts on the ongoing wrestle, and also the relief of knowing the Grace and I are cool with each other.