A few days ago, I was asked if I could explain the emerging church movement.  Not an easy thing.  As a matter of fact, this timely question has forced me to really think through this realm (though I am about a decade late!)  In my mind, I have clustered the missional, emerging, post-modern discussion together, as well as melting ”emerging” and “emergent” together.  Right or wrong, it seems as though these defining streams are all running to the same river of change.

I believe it is important to sort through simple syntax, definitions, and the jargon.  Secondly, it is important to find the leaders arena in this arena with voices I can trust, but also to engage and respond to elements on the edges.

Here are a few resources that are helping me in this quest, and spur to others:

Navigating the Emerging Church Highway

Ed Stetzer’s Perimeters of Light

Reaching 18-34 year-olds

Why We’re Not Emergent

John MacArthur Interview on his site Grace to You

What resources have you found that have been helpful?  What have you experienced in ministry that reflects an impact from this wave?

image www.freefoto.com

This time of year is generally the time in ministry for leader conferences to occur, firing up leaders, casting vision, and setting the pace in Sunday School small group work.  So why lead one?

1.  Leading/teaching a conference tracks with the old saying that you have really learned something when you can teach it.  Trust me; try teaching something brand new and feel the brain squeeze. Leading a conference gives me a stretch for something new.

2.  In leading a conference, you get to really look at what is working where you work.  You will be sharing frankly about what works and does not work, and you will be asked why something works or does not work in your place of service.

3.  Leading conferences makes me think outside of my box.  In other words, some things work in our context, but they may not in other locations, regions, communities.  Why is that?  Have I really thought hard about my own context and making tweaks, or am I being just a bit lazy with what worked 2 years ago.

4.  Leading conferences lets me explore new content to present and utilize where I serve.  I presented a fantastic ministry tool Monday night called Power Up Your World.  We will be using this in the spring of 2009.  Like I mentioned earlier, since I taught it, it helped me own it personally, and be ready to take our church family through it in the spring.  Check out this great resource:

Power Up Your World

I am honored to even be asked to lead a conference.  When you get the call, study, prepare, present passionately, reflect, and bring something new back where you serve.