Tuesday
May312005
James MacDonald on the Emerging Church
Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 11:33AM James MacDonald is the speaker at this conference. He grew up in the Fellowship and now pastors a megachurch in the States.
He has just told us he's writing an article for Christianity Today called "Why I Am Not Emerging". He's said that the emerging church is neo-orthodox.
I'll look forward to the article, but it's frustrating when people think the emerging church equals Brian McLaren. Some of his critique is good, and I appreciate that he speaks highly of the personal character of someone like McLaren, but he certainly didn't present a nuanced evaluation.
Update: James says that he thinks the emerging church is very good at diagnosing the problems, but not as good at presenting solutions.
Reader Comments (9)
Boo.
You should write an article entitled: "Why I am not a mega-church pastor".
Yeah, I am a pastor of a church engaging postmodernity in the shadow of James' church here in Chicago suburbs. He banned McLaren's books from his bookstore. And although, Brian ain't perfect, it is my impression that James allows no dialogue on these issues. I can't believe he thinks emergent is "neo-orthodox." ... Blessings all... David Fitch
James said he goes through the bookstore regularly and bans books. He also said today that the church has its head so far up culture's behind that we wouldn't recognize Jesus if we saw him. I think it's safe to say that he isn't into a lot of dialogue. ;)
Does he speak truth Darryl? Does he back up what he says with the truth of God's Word? Those are the important questions. That's probably why he has a problem with guys like McLaren, they come up with their own stuff, that has no basis in God's Word.
Out of curiosity, George, have you read any of Brian McLaren's books? On what basis do you claim that "they" come up with their own stuff?
George: Great question. No, he didn't back up what he said about McLaren or the emerging church with Scripture. Maybe he will in the article.
Sadly, James' response is further evidence that old wineskins don't (won't?) hold new wine, I suppose. (Matthew 9:16) However I don't think James article will do much more than make his groupies happy because my sense is that "Christianity Today" would be more appropriately called "Christianity Yesterday" to a lot of the people open to an "emerging" model anyway. I still think that James has a lot of good things to say, but one thing I know: when I was dried right up - a year ago - more of "the right information" wasn't of much help but the friendships I've found in an emerging setting have been *very helpful*. I just hope that those who become dried right up on the old fare will walk in the Real Word: Jesus (Matt. 9:16). Not James' words. (CT) Signed: Rehydrating raisin.
THANK YOU, Darryl, for sharing this. I'm glad I'm not the only one out there who thinks at least some part of the EC is little more than a bunch of evangelicals giving themselves permission to be Barthians. And I'm sure you know I don't say "NEO-orthodoxy" with a sneer the way many folks do.