I have resisted posting this conversation, just cause everyone already seems linked in... but if you aren't you have to go read it... sometimes a post just connects with others and takes on a life of it's own... this is one of them!
The People Formerly known as the Congregation
Let me introduce you to The People formerly known as The Congregation. There are millions of us. We are people - flesh and blood - image bearers of the Creator - eikons, if you will. We are not numbers...I resonate with what Bill Kinnon is saying, I feel the frustration, the "righteous anger", et al... I guess being where we are we have a bit of distance between our journey and "that" place, but I know there are many who feel it very keenly... including some of our community. I think we need to be careful not to become too focussed on what we are not... being a "protest movement", it becomes very hard if that is your foundation story to escape the definition of "being, by not being"... I guess this is why I especially connect with Jamie Arpin-Riccis follow up.... Jesus is not our boyfriend - and we will no longer sing your silly love songs that suggest He is. Happy clappy tunes bear no witness to the reality of the world we live in, the powers and principalities we confront, or are worthy of the one we proclaim King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
... We have not stopped loving the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Nor do we avoid "the assembling of the saints." We just don't assemble under your supposed leadership. We meet in coffee shops, around dinner tables, in the parks and on the streets. We connect virtually across space and time - engaged in generative conversations - teaching and being taught. We live amongst our neighbours, in their homes and they in ours. We laugh and cry and really live - without the need to have you teach us how - by reading your ridiculous books or listening to your supercilious CDs or podcasts.
The Community coming to be known as Missional
... We are community because it is the incarnational reflection of the Triune God in whose image we are created. We are a community that prefers walking rather than sitting, going where the Spirit has already gone before us, be it in our neighbourhood or ends of the earth. We are united by relationship and vision, not locations and buildings...This is also brilliant... and so obviously from the heart... of John Frye... We are ruthlessly committed to people over programs, demanding that the latter always serve the former or it will be abandoned. We cooperate, not compete, not seeking to win the praise or demand the submission of others. Neither do we serve buildings and budgets, but they must serve us as we serve others. We seek our greatness in our pursuit to becoming servants.
The People Formerly Known As "The Pastor"
Technorati Tags: Blogging: Church: Emerging Church: Mission: Religion: theology
Thanks for the shout out. I hope my post was encouraging to you in some way.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 08/04/2007 at 01:26