Sunday
Mar272005
Is it a waste of time to respond to criticism of the emerging church?
Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 6:26PM
Some think so. I'm not so sure. I think it's important, at least for the time being. First, I might learn something. Second, part of my calling right now is to help people in my circles learn from the discussion before writing it off. I might change my mind later, though. I'm sure my wife will tell me when I'm spending too much time. Update: LT responds with a thoughtful answer to this question.
Reader Comments (3)
wondering the same thing! but it was your posts that sent me to the anti-emergent sites... now here I am! :) i tend to think it is a battle worth having, but I'm not sure if i have the energy for it or the time... maybe just let em be? i dunnon - torn between two directions at the moment
It's not something I'm going to spend time battling, but it's something I'm happy to spend time discussing. If the other party comes to the table willing to listen, I'll share, regardless of whether they agree. If the other party comes to the table only to spew, I just nod and smile.
Hmmm ... a waste of time? not necessarily. Respond to most critcism? not necessarily. Debate/educate people willing and wanting to understand, and still possibly/probably disagree? OK. I think you will know when you are close to the line, or Charlene will tell you. When Brian McLaren was here 2 years ago we thought 60 people would come. In the end 245 made their way to "the Island" because they genuinely wanted to learn about emerging church stuff. The tone/tenor of that week was healthy. I agree you have a role/calling right now in your circles. That is important, but even with in that there are probably some limits?