The Emerging Church

The other day at lunch with some friends the question of the Emergent Church came up. I couldn't really answer definitively what the Emergent Church is. I've "heard" some things about it. What I have heard tends to be negative, but I wanted to do my own research and not depend on what others are saying. Clearly, it's going to take more than a couple hours of reading to figure this church out. On their Web site, www.emergentvillage.com, I discovered some basics about this movement.

What does Emergent Village believe? According to their Web site they state: "We believe in God, beauty, future, and hope – but you won’t find a traditional statement of faith here. We don’t have a problem with faith, but with statements. Whereas statements of faith and doctrine have a tendency to stifle friendships, we hope to further conversation and action around the things of God.

"Our dream is to join in the activity of God in the world wherever we are able, partnering with God as God’s dreams for our world come true. In the process, the world can be healed and changed, and so can we."

They encourage "Cohorts" which are meetings with others to discuss theology. It seems they like to talk and "be friends." Apparently they also have churches, but the link to "find a church" wasn't working.

Nothing is said about the Bible. I don't know about you, but I base my Christian faith and beliefs on God's Word. His Word is truth, not what I believe or think about.