The “Emerging Church” is an interesting concept that is arising in the Christian culture. I am always on the lookout for different articles, books and websites that talk about the subject. I don’t think this is the latest fad in churches but is really a movement that is taking church past the post-modern approach. The problem most have with “Emerging Church” is that they don’t know how to define it so they don’t know whether it is friend or foe.

There are some that define “Emerging” as reaching a certain generation (usually the 20 to early 30 somethings). There are some that define “Emerging” as reaching those that are more creative and/or artistic in thought and lifestyle. There are some that see “Emerging” as being just the opposite of traditional and beyond contemporary.

I guess my thoughts on it are that you can not define the “Emerging Church” by the people they minister to or the style of worship. I think “Emerging Church” is an attitude. I think those that are moving in the “Emerging” style are creatively contextual to the culture they are engaging. How’s that for moving in a triple “C” way? That means that if the culture that they are trying to have an impact on is made of artist/creative types in their 20’s then they are intentional in having artistic/creative ways of reaching that community. However, if they are reaching a culture that is embedded with tradition, then they use those traditions to reveal God to that culture.

It is a matter of attitude. Just because someone is doing something outside the “normal” church thing, doesn’t mean they are “Emerging” - especially if they are just doing it just to do something different. It’s when they are purposeful in creating ways that reach those they are trying to minister to in a way that is in sync with the culture. Therefore, in my definition (which you may or may not agree with) - a church doing all the “traditional” forms of worship and other “church” things may be an “Emerging Church” if that is the way of being intentional of reaching the culture that embraces those forms of relating to God. But they can not be doing them just because that’s the way they have always done them nor to just be different. “Emerging” is about enaging the culture.