Emerging Women

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Why are you emerging?

We've had a chance to get to know some of the women who read this blog. I would like to know from whoever - why are you part of the emerging church conversation? What brought you to the conversation? What value do you see in it? What are you hoping to get out of it? (mercenary questions, I know). What do you want to bring to it? I would love to hear your reasons and about your journeys.

Blessings and Shalom
Julie

Labels: Emerging Church

posted by Julie at 4:11 PM

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6 Comments:

At 7/25/2006 04:59:00 PM, Lydia

why are you part of the emerging church conversation?

I love God, but I don't do well with traditional forms of christianity (or any other religion for that matter).

I'm drawn to Pomo and EC schools of thought because they don't seem as afraid of not having all of the answers.

What brought you to the conversation?

The fact that we try to make it a conversation instead of a verbal crusade.

What value do you see in it?

There's room here for those of us who don't have all aspects of our theologies nailed down.

Plus, Emerging people don't seem to be frightened of my questions even though I'm female ;) (joking here...mostly).

What are you hoping to get out of it?

New friendships. Some new insights on God. And occasionally a place to vent.

What do you want to bring to it?

My dry sense of humour.

Stories from my days as a PK.

The perspective of someone who doesn't get much of out most religious-type stuff.
At 7/25/2006 08:32:00 PM, Unknown

I am fairly new to the emerging church conversation. My church is in the middle of transition from a seeker friendly to more emergent form of church. I think I always had some issues and doubts about some of the things I was taught, but until I was "gently pushed" to question and think for myself, I really never moved into looking for myself. I started breaking out of my "box" and realized that there was so much out there I didn't know, didn't even attempt to find etc. A brand new world "emerged". Sometimes I felt amazed that I had missed so much, other times grateful it happened when it did. I hope to break down my stereotypes, and experience others, that maybe I would not have befriended before. I really want to be open to how others are experiencing God and Spirituality and learn from that. I hope I can be genuine and respectful, and that God will use me in what ever way he can. I am excited to see where the Emerging Church conversation goes and what great things will come from it.
At 7/26/2006 01:02:00 PM, Tiffanie Lloyd

Before I ever knew that the emerging church existed I was drawn to something beyond traditional theology, evangelism and so on. Most people attribute my “way of thinking” to the colorful past I lead prior to accepting Christ at the age of twenty-three. Despite the close-mindedness that I sometimes encounter, I have remained outspoken and continue to challenge the traditional school of thought. While my contributions during Sunday discussions are rarely of the majority I find myself compelled to speak out for the minority. Without diving into great detail, the most significant challenge I face in my community of Christians is leading them to step out of their comfort zones and to at least be willing to embrace diversity; it seems that many Christians are uncomfortable, and therefore unable to effectively accomplish what God has called us to do; advance His kingdom. If I myself can not always relate to the interpretations and tactics I encounter at church it seems no secret to me why we are not better able to minister to the rest of the world. As I continue to learn and grow in my walk with the Lord, it is nice to have been introduced to a setting where my unformatted faith seems to fit in.
At 7/26/2006 04:01:00 PM, Meg

I am a part of this conversation because I have found a place that I feel like I fit. I grew up in a conservative church of christ where I was told that everything they believed was the "real" way to Christ. I really came to my own faith through intervarsity at college. Then I went to a pca church after school and dove head first into learning reformed theology. It is there where my journey began getting fuzy. I guess I realized that there were so many other ways of thinking and being a follower of Christ(example: contrast my church of christ back ground with reformed theology).

I think my system went in to shcok because it was time for me to figure out who I was, what I believed, and for a while I felt really alone. Maybe I felt lied to in a way. Christ was/is in all of those experiences and I didn't want to believe anymore in just one certain system or the other. I wanted to believe in Christ, not a denomination or system of belief.

I began reading McLaren's book A New Kind Of Christian, where I felt like the character in the story had similar questions, struggles and I could finally put in to words what I was thinking and feeling.

I value the emerging conversation because it gives me a chance to think for myself. That may sound funny. But I guess I was involved in so many churches that said this is the way and the only way, and here I feel like I can believe some parts of this theology, some of that one, and piece together my faith, on my own. That means alot to me.

I am hoping to grow in my knowledge, understanding, and maturity in Christ, and really to learn how to be a leader in my community.

I think I will probably bring more and more questions to the table. I like asking questions!
At 7/30/2006 10:37:00 PM, Amy

I've always been pretty open to questions, but at the same time grew up in a pretty conservative church, so just took on some of that baggage without ever thinking about it.

I headed down the path of emerging thought as a result of a 15-page "Why we should include women as deacons" paper I did for my church. Our pastor had asked me to head up a committee and even though I felt I'd been on top of this issue, I felt overwhelmed with the fact that the Bible and the work of God throughout history was not about laws. Ultimately, it was about love for us. That love proved itself to be contrary to the way us humans tend to think...selfish, rule-driven, prone to classify each other based on external actions rather than as creations of God. Especially in the New Testament, I saw that the rules put in place were often to help encapsulate the gospel in such a way that the culture in which it was shared got it. If the underlying principle is sharing Jesus' love in a way that promotes belief, then the church today has a lot of re-thinking to do.

I felt this massive load lift off my shoulders and the possibilities of what this could mean for the church seemed tremendous. But it wasn't until we had a spiritual formation seminar at our church that I realized there were other people out their with the same thoughts & questions...and even more! So, I started a massive reading campaign, attended an Emerging Women's meeting in Indianpolis and just can't seem to get get enough.

I love the freedom I've found to dig, question and find my faith all over again. The value I see in this conversation is the ability to look at faith as a process, to understand that each heart is on a journey and to treasure the mystery of God.

I want to hear from others, find new questions and have a place to process some of my own.

I'm not quite sure what I bring at this point. I'm still learning where I'm going (ongoing process, I know)! I love the quest to know God, in the various forms it takes.
At 8/04/2006 11:43:00 AM, Janice

Hi, I am new here...my name is Janice and I am really new to 'emergence'. And i have so many thoughts rolling around in my head...so may ideas, questions, and yes, some anxiety. I host a discussion forum and we've been talking a lot about the emergent movement and I got a couple of Brian McLaren's books and read them while on vacation - and anyway, then came to find the emergentviallage website and now the emergent women. YAY! :) So, hi.

Ok......

* Why am I emerging?
hmm, I don't think there is anythig else I can do or be. I believe GOd is leading me in this direction - who am I not to follow?

* why be part of the conversation?
well, who else am I gonna talk to about all of this? As I said, my brain's humming.....others look at you like you have two heads if God hasn't prepared their hearts yet. I've seen a few of my forum friends begin to distance themselves from me. In order to work through my thoughts I need to be part of the conversation. :)

*What value do I see in it?
Wow, dialogue is replete with value just 'because'. Give and take, bouncing ideas....learning, growing....it works so much better int he context of conversation...and emerging is just that - emerging. Not something someone is handing down - but rather something that is bubbling up from the ground. (I think)

*what are you hoping to get out of it?
nothing really. Other than to learn. To grow. To contribute.

*what do you want to bring to it?
all I can bring is me - who I am, free in christ with my own personal story, my persepctive, etc.

So, *HI* all. :)

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