A TENTATIVE IDENTIFICATION OF EC

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

ECs are characterized by bottom up change in theory and practice for the purpose of incarnational mission.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology emerging church

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

HUNTING FOR TAXONOMIES

UPDATE: TSK added 1/25
UPDATE: Links to journal and book citations added 4/19/09

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

I've gathered buckets of definitions from various sources (more on that later), but I'm in the market for EC taxonomies. Here's what I've collected so far:

C. Wess Daniels

• Deconstructionist Model
• Pre-modern/Augustinian Model
• Emerging Peace Church Model (Or Open Anabaptism)
• Foundationalist Model

Scot McKnight

• Prophetic (or at least provocative)
• Postmodern
• Praxis-oriented
• Post-evangelical
• Political

Darrin Patrick

• Emerging Conversational
  
• Emerging Attractional
  
• Emerging Incarnational
  

Ed Stetzer

• Relevants
• Reconstructionists
• Revisionists

Mark Driscoll (which looks vaguely familiar...)

• Reconstructionists
• Relevants
• Revisionists

Andrew Jones (Tall Skinny Kiwi) (added 1/25/2008)

• Big like a Miracle-Gro Garden
• Healthy like a Greenhouse Garden
• Pure like an organic garden
• Free like a wildflower garden
• Whole like an English country garden

This post is cited in Evangelicals Engaging Emergent, By Adam Greenway, Thom S. Rainer, "The Emergent/Emerging Church," by Ed Stetzer, footnote #56, page 72.
and
"The Emergent/Emerging Church: a missiological perspective" (pdf), by Ed Stetzer, in The Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Fall 2008, Vol. 5, No. 2, footnote 56, page 82.

Am I missing any?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

IS EC FOCUS TOO NARROW?

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

A History of Research is one chapter currently under construction. I have decided to gather and analyze a collection of EC definitions in an attempt to distill common themes and emphases. A few tentative commonalities have risen to the surface already:

• missional contextualization/indigenous expression
• relationship/community
• postmodernism

The first two, I think, are good and necessary features of church. The third, postmodernism, while applicable at present, may unnecessarily limit EC. It is, after all, quite likely that postmodernism, like all eras, will fade from view. Of course, some echoes will remain and the various cultures touched by postmodernism will be forever changed. But I do wonder if the EC has given itself an as yet unknown "sell by" date. This is unfortunate, for the first two themes are important and a much needed corrective to an all too often "if we build it they will come," individualistic church culture. EC's vision is too important to limit to postmodern cultures; therefore, those who reject this limitation ought to be encouraged in their development.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

INITIAL LIST OF CHURCHES

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

The List So Far Updated (1/18/08)

• Vineyard Church, UK
• Moot Community, UK
• Opawa Baptist Church, Christ’s Church, New Zealand
• Church of the Exiles, Saskatchewan, Canada
• Grace London, UK
• Church of the Apostles, Seattle
• Solomon’s Porch, Minneapolis
• Vintage Faith Church, Santa Cruz

Removed due to space and time considerations:
Bangsar Lutheran Church, Malaysia
Mars Hill Church, Seattle

Draft Criteria

• Church website with sufficient description for analysis
• Evidence of EC connection (links, logos, etc) of church and/or leader(s)
• Pastoral leaders who are published voices (via blogs, articles, books, etc) in the emerging conversation

Some of these churches do not claim to be emerging, yet one or more of their pastoral leaders have added their voice to the emerging conversation. My intention is to understand these churches in connection with their pastoral voices, and vice versa and to develop as broad a picture as possible of the emerging church. Such a project necessarily involves those who exist at the fringes and may have differing opinions among themselves regard their EC status. Every effort will be made to understand each church and each voice on its own terms before attempting to articulate any commonalities.

Clarifying questions, comments, and suggestions are, as always, quite welcome. In addition, if you participate in any of the above churches, I'd love to read your stories, insights, etc.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

MATCHING METHODOLOGY AND SUBJECT

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

You know the sort of thinking you do when you're waking up, when the deep ponderings of sleep-thought bubble to the surface, grasping for expression? This happened this morning.

I've been struggling with the research plan. So far, the various plans have been rather like an ill-fitting shoe: you can walk in it and arrive at the destination, but the process is anything but comfortable and you know it simply should not be like this.

My plan has gone from online survey, to primary voices in EC, to voices and their churches...and none of these fit. This morning a clear DUH! rose to the surface: I'm researching the theology of the church, so why am I focusing on individuals? Of course, there are important, influential voices that need to be heard, but these voices do not stand alone. They are members of churches. So, I'm starting with churches. The wheel is officially reinvented...

NOTE: Church suggestions welcome. (I'll post a list of the ones I'm considering in a week or so.)

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

DEPTH OR BREADTH

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

I've hit a bit of a speed bump this week. Having completed the research for the rubric and having moved on to formulation of the rubric and research of EC ecclesiology, I am held up by the question of breadth and depth. Here are some issues:

• I need sufficient breadth to insure the broadest possible articulation.
• I need sufficient depth to go beyond surface issues.
• I only have 150 pages and a few months to research and write.
• I cannot do both equally.
• Therefore, I am leaning toward deeper research on an international selection of ECs whose pastors seem to have broad influence.

Thoughts?

Recommendations?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

DISCOVERING COMMONALITY

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

One of the difficulties faced is creating an ecclesiological rubric that can receive broad acceptance. Positively, there is broad acceptance of Scripture as at least theologically informative. This being the case, a clear a modest Scriptural basis should broaden acceptance. Negatively, there are vastly different definitions of the four marks of the church, especially "catholic" and "apostolic."

Coming from a decidedly conservative Protestant position and a non-creedal tradition (Baptist), it is likely that I do not understand the related issues. I cannot--and frankly should not--please everyone (for, if we disagree, some or all of us are wrong). The most I can do is be as biblically sound as I can and let the chips fall where they may.

Question: How might one find the ecclesiological commonality without sinking to the lowest common denominator?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--transitioning from rubric to articulation

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

I have officially arrived at a transition point: inputs for the rubric are done (via Clowney, Barth, Berkhof, Brunner, Berkouwer, and Hammett) and I move on to processing the ideas and producing the actual rubric.

The next input phase involves EC practitioners and thinkers, accessed via books, articles, blog posts, and a survey (TBA, pending PHRRC approval). Here I move to a definite sack and pillage methodology, gleaning from the vast supply a distillation of EC answers to two questions (What is church? and What is its purpose?).

Funny, as much as I've read, I'm not sure what I'll find in this phase. It is possible that the variety in perception will require a change from singular (ecclesiology) to plural (ecclesiologies). Not sure what I'll do with that. But then, that is the nature of discovery: you can only find what is there.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--then, now, and when

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Reflecting on Emil Brunner's discussion of "apostolica" in Dogmatics Vol. III

When we look at church, we see form--or forms. Brunner insists that form is not an essential aspect of church and that a church is not apostolic if it concretizes its forms (social or dogmatic) rather than critiquing them according to the apostolic witness. Forms of church and dogma are subject to adjustment and correction. Three factors must be considered in the process: the "then" of church, its essence as the Ekklesia witnessed by the Apostles; the "now" of present culture and history; and the "when" of the eschatological future.

Are these three (especially the first and the last) clear enough for the several traditions to agree upon?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--unam apostolicam ecclesiam

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Apostolicity is a subject of much disagreement. Some traditions hold to a specific form of apostolic succession. Barth refutes this as external, insufficient, and false.

For Barth, apostolic means the community listens to and is subject to the Scriptures. Through the Word, the Holy Spirit works and brings the Church into alignment with the work and will of God.

As such, apostolicity is the concrete measure of the other three marks. We cannot know whether a specific church is one, holy, and catholic outside of its following or not following the Scripture.

Here is his summary from page 712 of IV.62 (peruse an excerpt here)

Una describes its singularity. Sancta describes the particularity which underlies this singularity. Catholica describes the essence in which it manifests and maintains itself in this particularity and singularity. And finally, apostolica does not say anything new, in relation to these three definitions, but describes with remarkable precision the concrete spiritual criterion which enables us to answer the question whether and to what extent in this or that case we have or have not to do with the one holy catholic Church.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--unam catholicam ecclesiam

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Continuing with Barth…

The catholicity of the church, by which is meant that which is general and comprehensive, the essence of which true church is recognized as true, is found only in the union of the church with her Head, Jesus Christ. Any church having a different essence—as in its ecclesiastical structure or doctrinal commitments—is not the true church. Catholicity, therefore, is not a matter of human wisdom, but is a matter of trust and is known by revelation. It is found in the real, essential connection between the body of Christ—the church—and the Head—Jesus.

The first three marks are given by revelation and understood by faith. This puts them beyond human reach and places them squarely in the purview of the Holy Spirit. The question is, how can we know whether a specific congregation bears the marks? Barth answers this question with apostolicity…but more on that later.


NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--credo sanctam ecclesiam

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Continuing Barth's discussion of the four marks:

When I look at myself with earthly eyes, I do not see a holy person. When I look at the church with earthly eyes, I do not see a holy church. I am filled (to a lesser or greater degree) with a mixture of worship and doubt. The church is filled (to a lesser or greater degree) with a mixture of worship and doubt. This is evident to earthly eyes. Yet, something else is evident to the eyes of trust. Hidden within the earthly/visible church (of which I, as a follower of Jesus Christ am necessarily a member) is the holy, indestructible body of Christ. This is a matter of revelation and is seen and known only by trusting the Spirit.

Each of us is holy only in Jesus. Only Jesus determines our relationship to him. All we can do is trust. This same trust must be exercised as we relate with those who profess trust in Christ. It is only when we accept one another's profession that we can confront one another's practice and belief.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--credo unam ecclesiam

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Unity (and too often uniformity) and division seem to be constants in the church. At the very moment when the church is striving for ecumenism, denominations are splitting. Barth shows us (in Church Dogmatics) that a unity based on external conformity or agreement is a false unity. True unity is only gained by a radical and intentional trust in the One Head, Jesus Christ. Barth also shows us that in its visible/earthly for, the one church will have historical, cultural, national, etc. differences. Unity is not gained by the removal of such differences--or even by forced doctrinal conformity--but by relationship in and participation in the One Head. Such unity--and confession of disunity--is the responsibility of each local gathering.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--criteria for holiness and catholicity

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.
(continuing with Clowney)

In his chapter on holiness and catholicity, Clowney brings us back to the Scriptures and past traditional doctrine. Drawing on Paul’s epistolary salutations, he discerns two movements in holiness. In the initial movement, those who trust Christ are given Christ’s righteousness and are made holy. In the continuing movement, those who trust Christ are commanded to live accordingly and be holy. The church (the gathered holy ones) is holy in both movements.

In his discussion of catholicity, Clowney goes against merely inclusivist notions and grounds his definition in the Church’s connection to Christ. The church is composed of all those who are in Christ. While this is seemingly inclusive, Clowney goes on to note that the church is composed only of those who are in Christ. This is decidedly exclusive and goes against such documents as Vatican II.

The question is, by what visible/knowable criteria are holiness and catholicity discerned?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--having missions vs doing missions

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

The first work pillaged for the rubric is The Church by Edmund P. Clowney.

In the midst of Clowney’s discussion of apostolicity and holiness as marks of the church, he makes the point that the church has the apostolic mission; it does not exist in this mission. By this, he contrasts partnership and commission with the liberal (his designation) notion that the church is composed of those who recognize their salvation (in other words, every one is saved, but not everyone knows it). I fully agree with his contrast and his conclusion—we have a mission. But it did raise a question concerning the missional church: How does being mission compare with existing in mission? I also note that none of these speaks of the church doing missions. This is an important distinction. This distinction is an important critique of the historic (evangelical) church, which tends to concentrate on doing missions.

So, might an important distinction be between having/being mission and doing missions?


NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--pondering the plan

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Today I pondered the plan. Somehow, the gathered bits must coalesce into an articulation that can pass through an evaluative rubric and result in biblically robust and culturally nimble ecclesiologies. Three types of inputs are crucial: practitioners, thinkers, and participants. The challenge is allowing myself sufficient time and imagination for these various beliefs and descriptions to self organize and reveal the inherent themes and criteria by which one can recognize emerging as emerging. Another challenge is to create a rubric that is sufficiently grounded and yet allows for creative, indigenous expression of truth to pass through unscathed.

Next week, I begin the rubric in earnest.


NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--searching out the rubric

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

Among the tasks I have set before myself in this thesis is the creation/discovery of a rubric by which one might evaluate various ecclesiologies. The rubric must avoid extreme generality and extreme specificity. It must avoid an extreme specificity that rejects a true ecclesiology because of variances in non-essentials. Likewise, it must avoid an extreme generality that accepts a false theology despite variances in essentials. So, the task before me—and it is rather like that famous proverbial meal of elephant—is to discover an essential ecclesiology. I have set the New Testament images of the church and the four marks of the Nicene Creed as my search area. And so it begins.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/

THOUGHT BUBBLE--ECM's challenge

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

To date I've "plundered" a nearly 3-foot stack of books and articles by and about the emerging church and/or ecclesiology. Though the results of my plundering remain a rather disorganized scattering in the memory of my laptop, I shall hazard my first speculated conclusion:

The ECM is contributing a crucial critique and challenge, and the historic church ought to listen: Each local congregation is a gathering of local missionaries, committed to and equipped for disciple-making in the local and global communities.

Too many historic churches have forgotten, neglected, or refused to obey Jesus' command to go make disciples. Too many have become focused on drawing in members or on maintaining internally focused programs. Of course, this is not true of all historic churches, but it is true of far too many. ECM's call for a missional ecclesiology must be heard and answered.

The danger within the ECM is that too many in the movement may become enamored by a culture of openness and will exchange the biblical warrant for a clear communication of the gospel for a pragmatic warrant for cultural compromise. Therefore, the ECM must hear and answer its own critique and challenge.

The command of Jesus requires it.

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

See CC License

“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/