Later: Where I'm Going
So what’s next? Am I going to stay in this emergent conversation, stick with my reformed roots, or go somewhere else?
I know you are all waiting for this answer with baited breath.
The truth is, I don’t know.
If emergent starts to define more of their non-negotiables and come up with a theology of their own, then I don’t know. Maybe I will stick around, maybe I won’t.
If emergent continues as a conversation across denominational lines, then maybe I’ll stick around & try to learn from what’s going on, maybe I won’t.
My guess is they will do something in-between these two. There could be a separation between the “emergent church” and the “emergent conversation”, or “emergent” and “emerging”…or something like that. In that case I may stick around the conversation, then again, maybe I won’t.
I’ve been accused by someone of labeling during this series, of categorizing groups of Christians and focusing on semantics. That’s not my intent. I’m just trying to find some sort of reference point. It’s hard to see where we are going without some sort of landmarks & references along the way. The road to Christ is narrow, it’s easy to wander off the path without reference points to keep us going right. To me, this whole “emergent” thing is a reference point. I’m no longer in the Presbyterian church, or the reformed episcopal church, and I feel that the folks in the emergent conversation are those that I most closely relate to at this point in my Christian walk.
But this kind of theological thinking is not what I’m called to. It’s just a stop along the road. A time that God has given me to rediscover what I believe, to rediscover Him, and to rediscover His calling in my life. Ultimately, I know that He is calling me back to ministry in a local church.
But where will that be? A Presbyterian church? A Baptist church? An emergent church?
I don’t really care as long as it’s a church that follows Christ.
So we come full circle, back to the conclusion from before. I’m tired of labels, I’m ready to follow Christ. Where I end up depends on where He leads me.
Jenny & I are waiting for Adam to move up. Waiting to be a part of this new Baptist affiliated Church that God is leading him to plant. Not because it’s going to be perfect, but because it’s where we believe God is calling us to serve. We’re not going to agree with Adam on everything. We’re not going to agree with the Baptists on everything. But if we get to follow His leading in our lives and in our church, then we’re there.
Just my $.02
mo
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Reader Comments (2)
Your reflections were thoughtful, sincere, and, simply put, refreshing. It's good to hear other people talking about these issues. As I read some of your posts, especially in response to the ones about the emerging church, a James Baldwin quote came to mind:
"You think your pains and heartbreaks are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books [or maybe blogs in this case] that taught me that the things that tormented me were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who have ever been alive."
I have thought, prayed, cried, wondered, doubted, reflected, and been confused over many of these same issues you have written about. It's encouraging to know that I am not the only one thinking about these issues. (I also was surprised to read that you're part Ukrainian, too.)
In my quest for identity, answers, "what to do", "where I fit", what it means to be more Christ-like, and where he wants to lead my life, I have found few answers. Yet one thing I have realized is that the focus is not about WHAT lies ahead for me, but WHO. you say it nicely:
"I’m tired of labels, I’m ready to follow Christ. Where I end up depends on where He leads me."
Well said, brother. well said. keep going... and thanks for the hope and encouragement..
now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in christ jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! amen.
BTW: I love that passage of scripture. My former church used it as a corperate benediction for an entire year once. It was such a blessing to pray that together every week.