The Emerging Church

I just read this story that aired on PBS about The Emerging Church. It's a nice introduction to Emerging Church worship experiences, and I am eager to see the follow-up story.

The disappointing side is the unfair and misleading criticism that one person offers, which is based on apparent ignorance of the dialogue and experiences of the Emerging Church.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at religious leaders trying to protect their power and the status quo. It's been happening since well before Jesus' time.

I just don't get why they can't understand the lesson of Matthew 9:17. Instead, they want to hold on to their old wineskins at all costs -- even as their old wineskins are tearing apart and the wine is running out.

Contrary to the critic in the story, the Emerging Church is not changing the truth of Jesus and the Christian faith. It is seeking an authentic and personal faith experience based on Jesus.

This is not "church-lite". It is an intensely spiritual experience -- founded on biblical truth. It is not based on denominational doctrine, rigid structure, manipulation or power. It is based on the grace of God offered through Jesus -- experiencing that grace and sharing that grace in relationships with others.

For me, that's exactly the type of worship that Jesus would want us to experience.

Of course, I might have missed the part of the Sermon on the Mount where the Disciples played 19th Century hymns on a pipe organ.