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Friday, June 30, 2006
Faith Like a Child
..."I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me".
"But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you'll soon wish you hadn't......Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse--and it's doomsday to you if you do. Matthew 18 (The Message Bible)

Recently I have been on this new journey. When my "spiritual" world was turned upside down earlier this year, and a whole exciting world opened up, I felt like I couldn't get enough! I dived into, I want to "know" as much as possible thinking...I guess I fell into the "I want to do/be right in this journey". Those thoughts came from a background where "you have to know the Word", "baby vs. mature Christian", etc. are common phrases thown out constantly. So I began the dive, the more I got in, the more overwhelmed I got! I loved it, but each new idea made me think of 10+ others I wanted to look into! I felt the pressure (self inflicted I think!) that if asked about what my "newer" thinking was, would I be able to "defend" it. After a cool time at a Prayer Labyrinth (something I had never used before) I began to sense God like no other time in my life! What I felt was "open your heart and be child like, there isn't a 'Right' way to journey with me".
Since that time, being child-like has shown up in readings...the Bible, books I am reading, conversation, etc....
I read the previous passage from Matthew 18 this morning, and there it was again. I think for where I am at, it speaks to me in a couple of ways. The first is for my journey! I have had to try to be childlike again! When I am childlike I am more receptive, open to others, more willing to follow. Sometimes being childlike doesn't always have the best results, but it's usually more sincere. When I am not childlike, I am more dependent on "my understanding", need God less, am more arrogant, uncompassionate, etc. One of the other ways that this passage speaks to me, is is how I relate to others in their journey. I think too often "Christian culture" can be very judgemental, critical, non-compassionate, not loving, etc. "We" get into our heads, where "we" think others "should" be at. We don't allow for where they are at in there journey, or what God may be doing in there life. If we don't handle our relationships with care, we could and do "make things worse". I know and was one, who ran the opposite direction from God. Not because of God, but because of the people reflecting God to me (which in many ways, I think now was not God at all). This really makes me hurt for those that have rejected spirituality and God, because of the humans that are supposed to be " God's Image".
This passage inspires and comforts me, though. I lets me pursue God with an open, childlike heart. I don't need "all the answers", that is not the point. I can accept this as an everlasting journey where, hopefully, I will have to keep coming back to a childlike state to grow and be led by God. Only God knows my heart. It also allows me to love, accept, be compassionate, and gracious with "all of God's people". Again, because only God knows where their heart is.
Just some thoughts. If you get something else out of this, or want to share, I would love to hear your comments.

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posted by Anonymous at 3:04 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Burdens vs. Loads
misslassie007's Xanga Site - Burdens vs. Loads
This is so important for all of us to remember...esp. those of us in leadership.

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posted by Makeesha at 12:07 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Thursday, June 29, 2006
installations and drum circles
hey everyone, i have been keeping up with the blog at arms length...because of my crazy schedule...but i decided to ask a couple of quick questions.

1) i am at a large church in the dallas area and we have been brainstorming on some different "installation" ideas. i am curious what everyone else has seen or participated in or what has worked well in your churches? i know that this isn't a question specific to females, but thought that this would be a perfect place to to explore this form of worship.

2) do any of you participate in a worship based drum circles? i am starting one here and was curious what the response has been, obstacles you have overcome and suggestions that you just can't help but make. : )

thanks so much!
shannon

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posted by Anonymous at 3:10 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Defining the Culture Shift to Postmodern
Business, education, philosophy and economics all have authored literature that acknowledges a culture shift from the past 300-400 years of modernity to a new era being termed, postmodernity. The European faith community were the first to join the discussion and now America has joined in as well. In a recent conversation with my son, we agreed that relationships now form between groups of people based smaller, selective interests/activities and these small "tribes" have their own "language." Being able to carry on cross-tribal conversations therefore becomes an important defining characteristic of the new millennial ethos. These small 'tribes' of people are extremely varied in every way except the reason for which they have unity in language and conversation. I'm more and more convinced that the Church needs to see 'conversation training' as a must for postmodern missions. We've all been lectured at for so long that I don't think many of us, ME included, know how to carry on a inclusive, non-threatening, hospitable, quality conversation that speaks with people and not at people. If the era has taken a seismic shift in defining how communities are being formed, then so must our 'discipleship' training models reflect this shift.

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posted by Anonymous at 7:23 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Oops! So sue me . . . not!
It has come to my attention that "emergent" is copyrighted and that I should use "emerging". From this point forward, God as my witness, I will do everything in my power to be "-ing" and not "-ent", but don't know how to go back through and correct my mistake. Julie, if you know how and can, go for it; otherwise, can y'all just agree to read "ing" for "ent" for the three previous posts? Thanks, and sorry. mizliz
 
posted by Anonymous at 2:42 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Even More Helpful Details: "A Seat At The Table"
OTHER EVENTS INVOLVING EMERGENT AND EMERGENT WOMEN [that we know of]:

THE BIG GATHERING OF ALL THINGS EMERGENT, at Glorietta, New Mexico, is October 9-12. Hopefully there will be more info. posted at www.emergentvillage.com soon. Maybe carpooling/sharing is a possibility from those of us situated on this side of the Mississippi?

WEST COAST EMERGING WOMEN: They are planning a gathering in January in Portland, Oregon. "East" and "West" coast refers to event locations only; any body of any coast and anywhere in-between is welcome!

TENTATIVE TOPICS/WORKSHOPS FOR VIRGINIA BEACH:
1. Deconstruction Conversation
2. Emerging Conversation 101
3. Viable Ministry Callings Beyond Senior Pastor
4. Emerging Postmodern Evangelism
5. The Difference Difference Makes: Feminine Leadership Styles
6. Women Entrepreneurs As Apostolic Ministers (Luke 8 women and Achsah of Judges 1)
7. Women Collaborating To Birth Postmodern Churches (including possibilities outside "the system")
8. Women, You Have God's Permission!
9. Women Have Always Been At The Table!
10. The Art Of Conversation! A Postmodern Staple And A Dream Come True!
11. The Invitation To The Lord's Table Of Leadership is Equal: Biblical Egalitarianism
12. Serving A Whole Dinner Of Feminine Metaphors For Leadership!
13. Seminary Women session: a truthful conversation about the current church "potluck" tables!
14. New Recipes Needed At The Table: Publishing Opportunities That Bring New Ideas And Voices To Print
15. Biblical Women Who Must Have A Voice At Our Postmodern Children's Table
16. Leadership Gluttony - Enough Already! two different movie showings: Invisible Children and Hummingbird
17. The Role Of Jewish Midrash: "New Dessert" For Postmodern Conversations
18. Eating Together At The Table: Women And Men In Ministry Equally Together
19. Mentoring As An Act Of Hospitality and Grace
20. On Not Being Emergent Stepford Women - We Are Many Voices, Many Visions!

Not finding what you are desperately seeking? Let us know! We probably aren't qualified, but can probably find someone who is! Liz [mizliz00725@hotmail.com] or Sherri [SHERACE@aol.com].

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posted by Anonymous at 11:59 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Helpful Details: "A Seat At The Table"
REGISTERING: we are setting up registration through a new to us venue and will post the wheres and hows as soon as it is all done. It will be easy, take credit cards, and will handle all those security issues better than if we did it ourelves. Soon, very soon!

SCHEDULE:
Sunday: If you are in the area or come in early, there will be some kind of gathering together at Generation Quest. It is intended to be a time of introductions, conversation, food, and fellowship. Maybe even the Round Barn chocolate fountain...?
For directions and info on Generation Quest, click over on the side panel here and check 'em out!!

Monday, Oct. 2:
7 a.m.: Conversational Beach walk along the boardwalk [optional]
[Breakfast out or at the 'complimentary hotel breakfast bar'
9:00-9:30 Welcome & Introductions at VAB-UMC (Virginia Beach United Methodist Church)
9:45-10:45 Table Gathering One, breaking into smaller groups
11:00-11:45 Table Gathering Two
12:00 Lunch together at VAB-UMC [this is the only 'on-site' meal provided]
1:30-2:30 Round Table Panel "The Women Of The Gospels" a theological discussion
2:45-3:45 Table Gathering Three
4:00-whenever Collecting Our Thoughts and Reflections; blog 'em if ya got 'em...
Dinner out on the town!
7:00-8:30 Round Table Panel "Why Women's Voices Must Be Heard!"

Tuesday, Oct. 3
7 a.m. Conversational Beach walk along the boardwalk [optional]
[breakfast out or at the 'complimentary hotel breakfast bar']
9:00-9:30 Opening: Resources Out There/Additional Introductions
9:00-10:45 Table Gathering Four
11:00-11:45 Culminating Gathering/Conversations/Closing

Go with God and go with joy!

[see next post for tentative workshop/gathering topics and give us feedback, please!!]
 
posted by Anonymous at 11:41 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
"A Seat At The Table"
Emerging Women are at it again! East Coast Emerging Women invite you to take a seat at the Table of word and sacrament, worship and service. Building on the metaphor of many different tables (i.e., picnic tables, card tables, kitchen tables, boardroom tables, pottery tables, changing tables, coffee tables, lego tables, banquet tables, Tiki bar tables, snack tables, even multiplication and periodic tables!), we each come to the feast table of the family of faith in turn as guest and then as host. This is your "place card" - your invitation requesting "the honour of your presence". Our hopes and dreams, stories and struggles, theology and community, presence and voices will be the 'menu' for two days feasting on conversation, challenge, commitment, and companioning as rightful participants at "the grown-ups' table".
WHEN: Monday-Tuesday, oct. 2-3 with an optional Sunday, Oct. 1, evening gathering at Generation Quest
WHERE: The conferencing will be located at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach, VA; Generation Quest is a house church in Virginia Beach.
COST: $50 per participants; $25 for seminarians; housing to be arranged**. Additionally, if you can and wish, you may contribute $10 to an Assistance Fund for those whose voices won't be heard unless and until we dedicate the resources God has provided to see that as many voices as possible find a seat at the table.
HOUSING: Not quite ready to receive your calls until next week, but we are finishing arrangements with the Fairfield Inn and Suites, right across from the church site, for a block of rooms at a discounted rate [$109 - choice of king single or two doubles].
SCHEDULE: see following post
WORKSHOPS/TOPICS: see post following "Schedule"
DAYCARE POSSIBILITY: if this is an issue for you, let us know and we will do something creative and caring for the wee ones of God!
NEED MORE INFO: Contact Rev. Liz Buxton [mizliz00725@hotmail.com] or Sherri Story [SHERACE@aol.com]

Send this on to everyone you know who might be interested or curious.
 
posted by Anonymous at 11:24 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 0 comments
Greeting from the Atl
Hello, dear women.

Even though I have never met you face to face, reading your posts is causing me to grow great affection for all of you. Thank you for your words.

My name is Caroline, and I do live in a suburb of Atlanta. After college, I moved to South Central Los Angeles to participate in urban ministry there. Returning home brought me to the realization that so much had changed here. My ministry experience in California prepared me for my return to a transitioning community.

So, this spurred me to begin ministry in my own home town. It has been thrilling.

I do work in ministry full time, and I write a column for the religious section of our local paper. Most of my articles are posted on my blog.

My connection with Emergent began about two years ago when I began participating in our local Emergent cohort. Those friends from the cohort have carried me literally through transitions, questions, and the birth of new dreams. They helped me find my voice. I am so thankful.

When I hear so many people comment on Emergent, they seem to be drawing their opinions from books read or blogs posted. My idea of Emergent is contrary to that experience. "Emergent" to me means conversation with friends around a table in a dive in Atlanta. We talk about the things we believe God is dreaming for our city. It has changed my life.

Yes, for an entire year, I was the only female. However, those guys made me feel so welcomed and their influence has been crucial in my life. We thankfully have several other women pull a chair up to our table lately.

Since there are so few women in the conversation, I am thankful that we can connect this way. Please pray for Atlanta and all that God is doing here. He is redeeming this city, and I am thrilled to be able to join in the party.
 
posted by Anonymous at 10:12 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
This Is One BRAVE Woman!
Wafa Sultan ... an Arabic woman speaks out on Al Jazeere (sp?) with amazing courage! If you havent' seen this 5 min video, I hope you will take the time and be inspired by this woman's act of courage and conviction as expressed through her words of passion for valuing all humanity as people of inestimable worth! http://journals.aol.com/thefeedblog/AOLNewsTheFeed/#Entry1810 Look for "Video of the Day" on this journal site.
 
posted by Anonymous at 7:29 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Top Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained
10. A man's place is in the army.
9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.
8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.
7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.
5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.
4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.
1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.

(I thought this blog could use a little humour. ;) )

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posted by Lydia at 10:12 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
Monday, June 26, 2006
Hello from across the pond
I just wanted to say a quick hi from Ireland. I think most of the contributors on this blog are from North America. If there are any other readers from Europe, I'd love to know. I have only recently begun to explore the emergent conversation and I'm very excited. I have yet to find other women leaders of the emergent movement here in Ireland - all the people I've been in contact with here have been men.

By way of a short introduction, I'm currently doing the two year Local Preacher's Course with the Methodist Church in Ireland. It's a home study course with monthly meetings with others in my church who are also training. I belong to a multi ethnic city centre congregation in the centre of Dublin and what is most exciting about our group of trainees is that there is a high percentage of women and that there is also good representation of nationalities. It's thrilling to me that we have such an international flavour in our group as Dublin is now home to many foreign nationals - more so now than any other time in its history. I am amazed at all I am learning from my African and Asian sisters and brothers. What a privilege!

I'm a creative - I act, write and direct sometimes for money, often for nothing. I am also married to a creative trapped in the body of an IT professional! Our dream is to be able to follow our calling in creativity and host a retreat for others who struggle with the inevitable obstacles of the creative life.

It's great to be part of this blog, thank you for having me and I look forward from learning and sharing my experiences with you all.
 
posted by Miz Melly at 5:29 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 6 comments
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Creekbank Christianity
Emerging Women: June 2006

I have become a Creekbank Christian.

It was an innocent day, sunny, not too warm, grass green and soft with the fresh, bright smell of late Spring. We were standing on the bank of a shallow creek that winds along a limestone ridge through miles and miles of central Pennsylvania pastures and cornfields.

Two people who attend the same congregation we have been had just been baptized. Some of the older teens were playing frisbee back where we'd parked our cars. The newly baptized (one was a surprise addition) wrapped themselves in towels while the rest of us stood around enjoying the moment, not quite ready to pile back into our cars, back into our regular routines of Sunday afternoon dinner and chores.

We were (and largely remain) a group of strangers. Some of us (ok, just us) have adult children, several are young single adults, and there were two families with young children. We chatted amiably, aimlessly, and I realized: We were, for the moment, the church. We were a group of people gathered together for the common purpose of living out our shared committment to the Christian God.

Everyone in the group was relaxed because no one had presumed authority for the spiritual well-being of the group. No one was playing the watchdog, sniffing out the least sign of less-than-full commitment. No one was on guard for another's transgressions. We were, during those 20 perfect minutes, honoring each other's best efforts at discipleship, recognizing that we came from a wide variety of backgrounds and carry a broad spectrum of sometimes conflicting theology. Our togetherness defined our community.

After a while someone suggested an outing for later in the summer. Someone else suggested another idea and then, another. Jody and I arranged to meet later in the day for a hike. We missed Sunday church stuff for the next two weeks, but when we met there this morning, our fellow attendees announced dates and times for get-togethers based on the conversation from two weeks earlier.

Creekbank Christianity. I'm sold on it.
 
posted by Don't I Know You? at 9:30 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Are We Helping Our Own Cause?
I recently attended a symposium at Regent Univ. Divinity school which presented a variety of workshops on leadership in the church. The lone female presenter, Dr. Estrelda Alexander, presented an excellent critique of the lack of weight currently given to social justice issues in the Pentecostal slice of Christianity despite the fact that it was an integral part of the response to the Azuza Street revival. She argued for the need of a resurgence of female voices in leadership in order: 1. to recapture the egalitarian leadership that was integral during the whole 1906 revival and 2. to bring, once again, the needed attention to social justice issues that so very often encompass women and children. Then, a response was given by a female, divinity PhD candidate and in her prepared response, she used King David repeatedly as the example to give support to Dr. Alexander's argument. Don't get me wrong ... I'm glad she was in agreement, but if we don't give voice to the female biblical characters in our sermons, our examples, our conversations, our prepared responses, who will? These biblical women are our first role models and if we don't give them their spiritual place of leadership, who will? When given a chance to preach do we give voice to the marginalized women of scripture? What are your thoughts?
 
posted by Anonymous at 6:57 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 8 comments
Thursday, June 22, 2006
More on Women's Ordination in the Church
I am at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This
year we are celebrating the anniversaries of the first ordinations of
women to the three offices of our church — deacon, elder and minister
of the word and sacrament. We are celebrating 100 years, 75 years and
50 years respectively.

The first woman ordained to be Minster of
Word and Sacrament (that is, a pastor in the church) spoke at our
national association presbyterian clergywomen luncheon on Monday
afternoon. It was great hearing her speak about how it was for her 50
years ago. She remembers the media event that it became. She
remembers getting tons of mail, both supportive and hatful. And now
she considers all the women ordained to ministry in the PCUSA as her
“daughters”. There are now over 4700 of us nationwide.
The
battle isn’t over, though … and she cited the precise issues raised by
lidia two posts ago. Women pastors are still not treated as equals in
ecumenical gatherings … the men won’t listen wholeheartedly. Women are
rarely asked to serve churches as senior pastors or heads of staff.
And the list goes on.
 
posted by Anonymous at 12:44 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 6 comments
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
I Don't Get It
So I've been posting at a postmodern, christian website for several years now. I've had this problem before and brought it up to the rest of the group, but nothing seems to be changing. This is what happens (from my point of view):

I bring up idea X.
No one comments on it.
A page or two later a male poster brings up idea X.
Several people comment on what a good idea it is.

At first I thought it was my communication style - maybe I wasn't being clear enough, or maybe there was something in the way I worded it that detracted from my message.

So I worked harder to clearly convey my point. I reread my posts, looking for words or phrases that might be clouding the issue. It doesn't seem to be making a difference.

Does this happen to anyone else? Short of assuming a male identity online, how can I stop this?
 
posted by Lydia at 12:00 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 8 comments
Monday, June 19, 2006
It's a girl!
So the Right Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, bishop of Nevada, was just elected as the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States. Click here for an article from salon.com about (yes it is biased, but its good - thanks Lydia for the link).

I'm non-denom (unless emergent become a denomination) and always have been (except for a fling with the Baptist thing) and don't understand all the nuances of the high chuch structure. I understand that a lot of people have a lot of issues with Katherine (as she apparantly asks to be called), but as a women who completly supports women in ministry this is one huge step forward imho.

What are your thoughts?
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posted by Julie at 7:24 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 6 comments
A Better Way?
I have struggled with the concept of "Accepting Jesus into my heart", almost from the time I first did it at 6 years old. When I began my seeking into the emergent ideas and "stepping out of my box" to look into other denominations, ways of Faith etc. It really stood out to me. I know that from the time I was 6, I said the "sinner's prayer" time and time again, for years. What occurred to me recently was, I was worried that I had not said it right, or I would lose it. I know I had been told you couldn't lose your Salvation (once the prayer was said), but just in case! I continued to live in the fear of the what if's. Obviously, I didn't "get it" (as I now feel many of those telling me didn't get it either). Well now I have 2 small children and I really want them to see following the way of Christ in such a different way. Not the scare tactics, not the "get you ticket punched to Heaven" approach (as our pastor has called it), but the sincere continuous longing for the RELATIONSHIP and power of Christ and all he is. I have been pondering different approaches to teaching children a different way. I don't want my kids experience to be one, where they are covered because they said their prayer, or that they have arrived so there is nothing else to learn. I realize that my background in the Baptist church, and the approach is not the same as everyone's. Just curious if anyone had any thoughts, or came from a less literal background? Would love to hear comments.
 
posted by Anonymous at 5:20 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Jesus and weddings
Tonight I had the opportunity to attend yet another wedding...I get to go to lots of these. I do so love to go! It's always a really good cheap date and I love to see my husband in a suit! Right before we left (when he off with the couple to sign the license) I was sitting alone at our table and watching people dancing. Since we only know the bride and groom (which is often the case) I got to have a few moments by myself to just watch and enjoy. It's funny how a single moment can seemingly pass by in slow motion and you just know that you have found yourself on holy ground. That's exactly how I felt. Watching all of those people dancing and smiling and laughing--enjoying that very same moment--I suddenly knew that what I was oberving was more deeply spiritual than most of the moments I experience at church on Sunday mornings. How interesting that Jesus picked a wedding as the backdrop for the beginning of his ministry. At the moment when it seemed that the party would be winding down, he got it going again. I wonder if he was sitting alone at a table, like me, just enjoying those around him lost in the moment of the celebration of love. There's always so much love at a wedding! I think that's one of the ways we can know for sure that God's presence is filling all the spaces around us--when there is love in the air! And one other thing...I've come to the conclusion that Baptists don't know anything about dancing (sorry, but I can say that since I've pretty much been one my whole life)--it's the greatest spritiual expression there is. I hope we can all find the rythm of the dance and then dance like we've never danced before!
 
posted by Anonymous at 2:00 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Friday, June 16, 2006
Women Leading Everywhere!
What resources are you swimming in that proudly shout women's stories of faith; both past, present and yet to be told? (This blog site being one!) Although "mainstream" Christian publications continue to marginalize our stories, there are resources out there that do not. Here's what's on my BEST LIST 1. The SOJOURNERS magazine. July's issue is filled with women's leading stories -2. LEFT TO TELL:Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza 2006 .. a story too amazing to describe -3. WOMEN'S BIBLE COMMENTARY ... all women contributors edited by Newsom and Ringe -4. www.theotherjournal.net an online publication that always includes scholarly, artistic, Christian female contributors -5. HUMMINGBIRD DVD movie ( google it for purchase $20) .. a great example of Christian women leading pastorally, apostolicly, prophetically, missionally for Christ -6. THE WOMEN OF AZUZA STREET by Estrelda Alexander 2006 ... get the real scoop! -7. The novel: THE RED TENT by Anita Diamant -8. WOMEN PREACHING: Theology and Practice Through the Ages by Eunjoo Mary Kim -9. CHURCH IN THE ROUND by Letty M. Russell -10. MUTUALITY ... a quarterly publication by Christians for Biblical Equality. What is on your BEST LIST?
 
posted by Anonymous at 8:30 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
Thursday, June 15, 2006
getting the men to notice the women who are blogging
That is Ed's question @ In a mirror dimly. Why not go over and give him some ideas?

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posted by Kim Wilkens at 9:10 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Wanna help write a book?
I had a conversation with a woman from a publishing concern (InterVarsity Press) who has expressed some professional interest in our 'women-in-ministry' stories, with the added suggestion that 'women-in-leadership' might reach a larger and broader audience. Sooooooooooooo, if you want to help with this effort, send me [mizliz00725@hotmail.com] your favorite or most touching or most maddening 'women of faith in action' stories to collect and collate and send on to IVP. I'm not giving a word limit or such; I'm confident the stories will determine most of that themselves. At the end, please supply me with your name as you might want to see it in print, a title or postion if you want, and city/state. If you have questions or concerns or an idea for a killer title for such a book as this, just email me. Thanks - and let the stories be told!
Liz

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posted by Anonymous at 2:59 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 7 comments
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
born a questioner
It's been awhile since I signed up, so it's time to give a bit of an introduction and about why I'm here.

I'm Wendy. I was born and baptized into a very conservative and fundementalist Lutheran congregation. My self-identiy was built around my faith, but I was always asking questions. My mom tells me one of the first things I ever said (before I was a year old) was "How come?" And I've been asking it ever since. I was told that my pastor visited my parents when I was in confirmation class and told them I was asking too many questions. I just had to accept some things and have faith.

There are times for accepting things ... like the fact that my daughter is moving away to college in a couple of months. But, I believe and active faith means being willing to ask questions, to doubt, to come to new understandings and to grow a little closer to Truth.

I guess that's why I love the emergent conversation. This is a place to ask even the most difficult or seemingly basphemous questions about faith -- not so that we reject the doctrines and traditions that have been handed down through the ages -- but so that we can gain a clearer understanding of God's Truth in our lives.

One of the questions I asked my pastor in confirmation class was, "why can't a woman be a pastor?" I was discerning my call to ministry at a very young age. His answer was not satisfactory. For every answer I had a counter question ... and it led me to think and pray and look for God's Truth, not merely a church's interpretation. Currently I am a Presbyterian pastor working on a judicatory level doing work in congregational transformation, evangelism and new church development. I've been ordained for almost 19 years, and, yes, I, too, remember Donahue.

Over the years I have been shaped by missional church conversation and the Gospel and our Culture Network. I have been a fly on the wall of the emergent conversation for a few years now ... and, so far, I most of what I've heard are people articulating what I knew in my soul even from those first questions. God is really up to something ... and I'm excited.

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posted by Anonymous at 8:28 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
I'm emerging
I was hanging out at the Summer Institute at Solomon's Porch last week, where the male attendance was greater than female, but not in any intimidating way. I've been learning so much about emergent and the more I learn, the more it speaks to my soul. One of the sessions I had signed up for was something about creating a space on the web for emerging women and it was cancelled. So, I was delighted to find this space.

I feel like a late blooming emerger. I belong to Peace Lutheran Church in Charlottesvile, VA where I serve by being webmaster, worship media coordinator and tech support. I'm probably the cutting edge of emerging in this church, but as I bring back more info and insights, I am finding that the ideas are connecting with others.

I blog @ http://kimxtom.blogspot.com/.

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posted by Kim Wilkens at 6:54 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Discuss - Sexism and the Bible
So last night I ended up in an interesting conversation. I showed up at the local Meetup.com Feminist group and it ended up being just me and the leader (a guy by the way). We started talking about issues related to feminism and at one point he pulled a bible out of his bag and challenged me to tell him one thing in that book that wasn't sexist. I gave my answer, but I am curious - what answer would you give? I would love to hear your thoughts.

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posted by Julie at 12:37 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
Monday, June 12, 2006
Introducing myself
Hello, may name is Sylvia Skinner. I am a 40-something (closer to "45" than "50") frustrated evangelical (who really doesn't even want to be called that anymore). Perhaps, I should start referring to myself as "formerly" evangelical. That word (evangelical) just bugs me. It conjures up a lot of things I'm just not interested in being identified as anymore. Does anyone remember about 25 years ago when some college students went on Donahue to announce the beginning of "fundamentalists anonymous?" (Does anyone even remember Donahue?) It was supposed to be like a 12-step recovery group for conservative Christians. I remember thinking what the heck is the matter with those kids? They must have just fallen down the side of the slippery slope. Now, I am wondering if I can find their organization, join them, get a sponsor, and maybe even lead a group! It would be nice to have someone to call in an emergency--like, say, right before I am about do or think something evangelical. Do they still exist?

I have been in church my whole life. I've never missed more than two Sundays in a row. For the last 20 years, I've been in ministry (first as a pastor's wife and now on staff at our church), but I'm kiind of ready to quit. O.k., now I sound like Debbie Downer on SNL. I'm not ready to quit my faith, just the way we do church. It seems as though there might be light at the end of the tunnel though. Our church seems to be stumbling its way through this whole emergent thing. It's sure not easy though, without the all the formulas and such. I like the idea of a conversation. It is more of a give-and-take, something in which the whole community can participate. But, then again, it has definitely gotten messy. I guess that's what I would have to say about my faith right now. It's messy and chaotic. Thank you for letting me join this group. I have enjoyed the posts so far. I look forward to hearing the female voice in all of this--not in "addition to" or " as part of the back-up harmony," but as a voice that was created to be heard as clearly as voices of men on this same journey.

I'm looking forward to hearing all of your voices.

Sylvia Skinner
 
posted by Anonymous at 11:57 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Who am I?
Who am I? What is my story?  What does my voice sound like?  What is my message?

I’m a 20-something.  I’m conflicted.  I’m a pioneer, a wanderer, a seeker, a nobody and a future somebody, a creative and logically abstract artist, an activist, a photographer, a lover of creation and the Creator, a leader, a social change architect and lover of people in the process.  

My hobby is learning, but don’t just inform me; show me, guide me, lead me into your soul, listen to me, learn from me as I learn from you.  I want to know you and me, and what we’re supposed to be all about.  

I don’t believe everything I hear.  I don’t know what to believe because I don’t want to simply accept your version of reality as my own.  I don’t know to whom I should listen who will help me figure out what I believe about God and Jesus, peace in war, injustice and compassion, wealth or poverty, and consumption and simplicity.  

I can’t get my hands on enough books, but then I feel like I’m just consuming knowledge instead of experiencing life.  Am I collecting status symbols on my bookshelf and names in my address book?  Who do I really know? Who knows me like I need to be known?  

I’m a conference/seminar/learning community junkie, but the community I experience there is only a fix for the intensity of missional community that I’m still trying to inspire in my locality and the one which seems so far off from my reality.

I’m a lover of the Creator and creation, living and inanimate.  But, I’m discovering how much I abuse people and exploit nature as I consume and live.  I don’t know how to stop doing that.  I can’t seem to learn fast enough to stop this cycle as I try to learn about the products I buy, the neighbors I’ve overlooked, the car I drive and the energy and resources I’m consuming.  I’m lazy and working hard to be a moral consumer.

I’m sensitive about your suffering and your words.  Sometimes I hide from you because I don’t have the energy to feel that deeply, in that particular moment and I feel inadequate to do anything about it.  I know I should lean into your pain and mine, so that I’m changed and moved to sacrifice myself, sometimes I do lean and learn, sometimes I run and hide in my cave.  In those moments of leaning and sometimes when I’m hiding, I hear the whispers of my soul and yours that contain the answers to where I should go, what I should be doing and how I can get there.  Busyness, music, noise, products and entertainment all too often drown out the whispers and distract me from the screams of the ones that are hungry and desperate.  Maybe I’m not being distracted as much I’m drowning myself in them and drowning you out because of my own pain of inadequacy, vulnerability and weakness.  Maybe I’m the one that needs to be visited by a relief worker, a counselor, and a healer.  Aren’t I the one who’s starving and abandoned, lost, broken and hopeless?

Who am I to save the orphans, the refugees, the widows, the civilian casualties of war?  Then, the other voice kicks in and asks, “What can I do that will have the greatest impact on the most amount of people and how can I do it fast?”  Is that even the question I should be asking?  Isn’t that such an American question? How many people can I really love and influence?  How much good can I really do?  Why do I evaluate time and money according to effectiveness and breadth of influence?  What happened to simplicity, agrarian societies, community, neighborly love and the gift of presence and hospitality?  Am I lost by saving the world and neglecting my own street?

I’m a believer.  I believe in another reality that is possible here on earth, in this generation and era, lived out in pieces and slivers of light that break through the darkness of the haze that surrounds me.  There are moments that I feel amazingly alive in that other reality and moments, or maybe days that I feel dark and lost and that all hope has passed me by.  I believe that joy does come in the morning, but often several mornings pass me by and I don’t know which morning will bring me into the light.  That knowledge keeps me waking up with a hopeful expectancy that maybe this will be the day.

I’m a wanderer, but not without purpose.  I’m seeking.  I’ve lost something, I’ve mourned and grieved and been angry and hurt, hopeless and pessimistic, and hopeful again.  I’ve been wounded and abused, betrayed and unloved, ignored and unnoticed.  I want to be known and loved and recognized, but I don’t want those yet unredeemed motivations to infiltrate my goodness and the purity of the love I want to share with people.  Sometimes those things mess me up (well, a lot of times) and I hurt rather than love; I talk and make myself sound important rather than listen and draw out your story, I walk into a room needing to feel loved and honored, rather than focusing on loving and honoring your presence in my life.  I’m sorry, and so I wander with a purpose seeking purity, passion, sacrifice, love and hope, so that I can share more of those things in me with you, and not as much of what’s been taken from me and that which needs to be replenished.  You’re not the source of my nourishment and I’m trying to listen to my heart and ask myself why I do and say the things that I do, and how I can pay more attention to what you’re not telling me of your pain.  Maybe we can invite each other into the search and wander together.

I’m just one person, broken and being restored, having been lost and sought after, loved and forgotten, a nobody and somebody, seeking and hiding, hurting and loving and wanting to figure out who I am, what I’m supposed to be doing and becoming and how I can get there.  I’m just conflicted.

 
posted by Kris Socall at 4:29 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Saturday, June 10, 2006
What exactly is Emergent?
This was a common, and good, question at our Barn gathering in April. I recommend reading a Generous Orthodoxy by McClaren as a good place to start if you haven't already. This text has certainly generated lots of conversations in Christiandom; from 'great to hear someone say what I've always wondered about' to 'absolute Christian heresy and must be rebuked.' (Chuck Colson is a frequent brother of dissension!) Personally, I liked starting with the last two chapters (19 and 20) and then had a good understanding of McClaren's heart from which to go to the beginning and begin the meal. (I'll post my answer to the topic question as "a post" and hope to hear some other people's definition as they are processing it for themselves.)
 
posted by Anonymous at 12:32 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Friday, June 09, 2006
Hi.

A few more posts about the Emerging Women's Re-gathering have been posted to the Emergent-us blog. Check them out:

Emerging Women 3, Lynette Davidson
Emerging Women 2, Sarah Notton
Emerging Women, Julie Clawson (also HERE, on this blog)

Since there doesn't seem to be an easy way to comment over there, I figured this would be as good of a place as any to share any thoughts you might have.

Enjoy!
-sarah
 
posted by Sarah Notton at 9:27 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Emerging Women
Emerging Women
Just too cool! I'm lovin' all these stories and words of light and grace. Sorta like a drink of cool water after trudging across a desert. I'm having several recurring thoughts that I'm wanting to share and take up with the group. First, Elizabeth Potter and I have already been noodling around about the next 'Round Barn' - not for a name but the gathering again of strong and sensational women. We are a pretty geographically dispersed group, but do we sort of clump up in regions? I've noticed Virginia (my present locale)-DC-midAtlantic has a fairly strong group. Can others discern larger, regional kind of groups? How would a second gathering work best for you (if you would want to participate)? Dovetailing with the October Gathering in New Mexico would seem easy, but most of us have hefty loads of responsibilities and commitments that seem to keep us from that week long extravaganza. And then there's our own inclusiveness issues: men welcome or this needs to be sacrosanct for women only? how do we structure things so that women (and men) of God's image, regardless of ethnicity, economics, orientation, age, theology (as far as is possible there), geography, etc., find a welcoming and comfortable chair in the room? The mechanics of planning - where, when, cost, schedule - will, I'm convinced, work themselves out. We will need to be considerably more intentional about our own inclusiveness.
Second thought: all these wonderful stories that have been shared - and those we know have yet to be shared - need to be collected and printed. Either like a church cookbook complete with the spirally binding and pages for notes or more formally with publishers and everything. Whaddaya think? Would you be willing to share-to-print?
And while it's flying through my brain, the Emergent Coordinating Group is meeting beginning the end of this week. Our good friend and fearless leader, Elizabeth Potter, is carrying our hopes, concerns, frustrations, and joys with her as she meets as a part of this group. Keep her in our prayers and thoughts - and then look forward to hearing from her afterwards! Grace and peace.
"MizLiz", Liz Buxton
 
posted by Anonymous at 7:56 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 2 comments
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Hi from Jan
Hi -- I'm Jan trying to serve God just outside our nation's capital. And I'm old. (The same age as Brian McLaren.)

After the 20th anniversary of my ordination in the (often boring, terribly distracted) mainline Presbyterian Church USA, I took a long-needed sabbatical and found myself worshipping with the Cedar Ridge Church. I had attended many an Easum-Bandy conference, and I resonated with pretty much all that Brian McLaren had to say.

But I also have memories of worshipping with a non-denominational church in my hometown of Chapel Hill which allowed nary a woman to lead worship much less preach. (Still hasn't happened, as far as I know.)

After serving a small congregation in upstate NY for 5 years and now serving a traditional yet aberrant congregation in Northern Virginia, I preach every Sunday to a congregation with a pipe organ and find that people connect with my messages but don't always connect with that pipe organ.

We are in the process -- God willing -- of planting a new congregation in our lower level which would be more appealing to those who are more familiar with The Fray than with Fanny Crosby. If you live in DC, if you want good Biblical scholarship, if you enjoy a good latte and find "Lost" to be fascinating, come hang out with us.

This I believe:

In life and death, we belong to God.
The (Not So) Brief Statement of Faith, PCUSA

We have confidence in Jesus who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed . . .
Brian McLaren

When my soul was in the Lost and Found, You came along to claim it.
Carole King

God is good. And I have lots of women in ministry stories.
 
posted by Anonymous at 10:30 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Your Experiences
I've enjoyed hearing all the introductions so please keep them coming! As part of telling our stories, I thought the questions that Sarah Kivell raised were great and might be helpful to discuss as their own topic. She wrote -

I'd really like to hear from all of you ladies, what kind of experiences you've had in the church when it comes to "women in ministry"? What challenges have you faced, or are currently facing in your faith community? What kind of changes do you forsee in order that women can excel at leading others in the church?
 
posted by Julie at 2:58 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Me too! Me too!
Hi! I'm Sarah Kivell. I happened to stumble across this website when reading a recent e-mail from Emergent Village. I'm excited to begin journeying with you all as we learn how to live this life the way God intended. Thanks for including me.

I'm 27 years old, and reside in Waterloo, Ontario...not too far from you, Lydia! I've been married to my hubby, Benjamin, for almost seven years now. (No, no kids yet....a question I get asked frequently!) ;) (Want to get into my head, check out my blog at http://sarahsrevista.blogspot.com)

I am currently on staff at two church plants that are interconnected, called The Embassy and Elevation. The Embassy, which commensed almost eight years ago, is a student church that started at the University of Waterloo. Four years after it started, the students who were with us from the beginning started graduating, getting married and having kids, so what else could we do but start a family church as well? We called it Embassy Unplugged at the beginning, but now its Elevation.

Along with leading worship with my husband at The Embassy, I have also intiated and coordinated it's "small group ministry". At Elevation, I am the "Service and Worship Coordinator" (and still trying to figure out what that means exactly).

I guess I'd call myself "emerging" in some ways, although I don't really like the label. Yet for the sake of dialogue, I do think we need to put names and words to what it is we are experiencing and learning. I'm all up for that.

I'd really like to hear from all of you ladies, what kind of experiences you've had in the church when it comes to "women in ministry"? What challenges have you faced, or are currently facing in your faith community? What kind of changes do you forsee in order that women can excel at leading others in the church?

Looking forward to learning and growing with you!
 
posted by Sarah Kivell at 6:36 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
Hi Everyone! Checking In From the Beach!
I'm Sherri and I contribute an emerging voice from the highly populated margins of the prophetic Christian community! In the pattern of those who've posted before me, I offer my stats: age 53, emerging edgy, re-married to a wonderful teacher, Mom/Friend to four young men/sons and one lovely young lady/daughter ... all between the ages of 21-26, new, new grandma, a tennis player, avid reader and creator of ideas, and a pesty person of questions (which I feel a lot better about these days since I've recently studied that Mary of Magdala may very well had the same tendency!) My most recent ministry adventure was birthing an emerging church last year in VA Beach with 2 other women and 2 men as co-leaders and co-followers. Our faith community of 14 met for 6 months of pregnancy prep (Feb. - July 05) and we then officially gave birth to Generations Quest on July 30, 2005 in our own current house location. Having a passion for putting forth an image of Christianity in the context of hospitality (vs. the courtroom) we decided to invest in buying a house just for our community gatherings of worship and fellowship. It's been quite a first year; from the bliss of a newborn to the whimpers of a creeping crawler! We are building on the invitation issued in Prov. 9 from Lady Wisdom and She hasn't let us down. I love the openness of the 'emerging theology,' both the questions it has invited and the conversations it has generated. It has furnished so many good courses of food for the spiritual formation of our GQ community! Growing us ... Molding us ... Entertaining us ... Challenging us ... Giving us lots to play with ... Lots to Chew On ... It Fits Just Right!
 
posted by Anonymous at 4:10 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments
HI! I'm Meg..
Wow! So excited to find this blog! I have been reading for a couple of days, wondering if I should post and what I would say. As I read through most of your blogs and read the introductions, I felt more and more at home. I couldn't believe how many times I would read a sentence and think, I was just thinking/feeling that the other day! So cool!

Anyway, My name is Meg and I am 26. I live in State College, PA with my husband Eric of four years. No kids...but a great dog named Buck. We have just bought a house and love it! We are originally from North Carolina, so living in PA has been a bit of a shock to us this year. We have though made great friends, have great jobs and are overall very, very blessed.

I have spent the last two years struggling, questioning, running from, and crying over my faith. I have read so many of the same books that you all have mentioned and have finally found peace in the journey that I am on. I still have a lot of questions but I am thankful to have found a place to express myself that feels safe. I have recently been dialoging with my dad regarding my faith and the new things I am thinking and praying about. My dad is very much a conservative evangelical and while our conversations have been healthy, I worry he thinks I'm going off the deep end. In fact, in talking with my brother today he said my dad is worried about me. That hurts. So again, I look forward to being a part of this conversation as I feel like it is somewhere I actually feel I fit.

If you want to know more about my spiritual journey at this point check out my blog at walkon2006.blogspot.com

Hope everyone has a great weekend!
 
posted by Meg at 2:40 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Friday, June 02, 2006
Introducing Myself (Annette)
Hello, fellow sojourners of the faith,

First off, I am so excited about this opportunity to "blog" with all of you! (This happens to be my first experience with blogging.) I have been challenged, encouraged, and inspired through the emergent conversation, and as I've shared before with some friends, if it were not for people/authors like Brian McLaren and some others, I'm not sure I would still want to be a Christian. The last two years have been rocky between me and my Lord, and as I've tried to hang on with all my might to my faith, I have found hope in the faith of sincere followers of Jesus (many of whom have been part of the emergent conversation). So I'm so excited to be able to further my seeking along with other thoughtful and open women!

I am 26 years old, am married to Jarred (for 5 years), and have 2 children (Dylan-2; Jaida-1). I'm currently a stay-at-home mom who is trying to cherish these experiences with my young children. Perhaps when they go to school, I will pursue teaching English (since that is what I spent 4 1/2 years of college studying). :-) My other interests are reading, journaling, writing poetry, singing, drama, social justice issues, and talking about the deeper sides of life (theology and so on).

I am part of an awesome church Koinos Community (koinoschurch.org), and it has also been a source of hope and inspiration for my faith. My husband and I (along with a handful of other couples/families) helped start Koinos about a year and a half ago. If ever any of you are in the Reading, PA area, please feel free to visit.

I look forward to sharing and gleaning from you all! Blessings!
 
posted by Anonymous at 1:37 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Makeesha's intro. and a question
Hi-ya ladies :)

I'm Makeesha, a relative "young'un". Mom to 2 girls, wife to one man ;) for 7 years. My husband and I are co-ministers of the college ministry at our charismatic church, Third Day Victory in Fort Collins, Colorado USA and our budding "emerging type" congregation, Revolution that will be starting in August . I grew up in the charismatic/word of faith church and have been in ministry since I was a kid.

Here's my question - our church is not at all what I would consider emerging. It's a pretty typical charismatic, faith type church that is affiliated with Victory Churches International. Our pastor is extremely supportive of us and a wonderful guy. He has released us to start Revolution as a "church within a church" with his full support (the vision being to create a contextual community that reaches those who our church is unable to currently reach) but we're still having a hard time explaining the full extent to him since he has no frame of reference for where we're coming from. It's also been hard to communicate to the staff. Everyone on our Revolution team totally "gets it" but they're generally much younger with less ingrained ideas about what church is supposed to be. It's not a big deal but it would be nice to build a lexicon that more "traditional/modern" types could understand. Unfortunately, emerging has created its own dictionary that is familiar to us but not very conducive to dialogue with those outside of the conversation. I come from where they are but I still struggle getting the point across.

Of course, I think ultimately they're just going to have to experience it but we're trying to create the least amount of friction possible with the current "church at large"

Does anyone know of good resources for this or has anyone had a similar experience and found a good way to explain everything?

Let me give an example of where some of the confusion manifests. David was meeting with Pastor B. today and B's question was "you're still going to do ministry right"? When David shared this with me, I was kind of dumbfounded. Basically, he's asking if we're still going to do the "worship set, sermon, pray for people" type stuff in order to help them grow and whatnot...which we're not, at least not in the same way B is thinking. David didn't really know how to respond because the question is just not in line with our thinking right now or even our view of "ministry". He basically said "well, yeah of course" and changed gears....bless his heart.

So there ya go...I thought I'd just go ahead and start off with a bang ;)
 
posted by Makeesha at 9:59 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 4 comments
introduction
My name is Marti. I have been a youth pastor at the same church for 30 years. I have a growing ministry to teens and college students. I was very much an active part of the team until 6 years ago when I opened the dialog about our changing culture and the emergying church. Since then I have lost my voice with our leadership and I am treated as a volunteer.

I am married and the mother of 3. Tyann is my foster daughter she is married and has a beautiful baby girl that is 10 months. Kevin is my son, he is finishing college this next year and dating a wonderful young lady. Kevin has been very hurt by Christians and hates the modern church. He is reevaluating all he believes and is not sure at times if he even believes in God or has faith at all. Katie my youngest was married to Nathan last fall. They are dreamers. Their desire is to be apostles and travel with their music and just touch people who need help as they go. My husband is a RN and will be retiring in 5 yrs.

Marti
 
posted by Anonymous at 1:12 PM ¤ Permalink ¤ 3 comments
Introduction
I wanted to introduce myself to the rest of the group. I am an ELCA Pastor, living in a suburb of Detroit, MI. I am 52 years old, married and have 2 children, 3 stepchildren and 1 step-grandchild. I have been a pastor for 22 years as of today (June 1).

It has been a source of great encouragement to me to read the blogs here and to participate on the various Emerging Church websites. A few years ago I was led to participate in a Transformational Leaders' group and introduced to at least a portion of the "idea" of emerging Christian leaders. It was a life changing experience. Finally, after all this time in ministry I didn't feel as though I was a Martian among humans. Knowing that this sort of movement is out there is comforting and exciting. More to come-and I look forward to the conversation.
 
posted by Anonymous at 11:28 AM ¤ Permalink ¤ 1 comments