Emergent Waco

From the Emergent Village Blog – some good thoughts from Brian McLaren.

In a year-end letter posted on his website, McLaren writes, “It’s been a good year. I’ve spoken with about 50 different groups in 7 countries since January, and two observations have been confirmed time after time. First, committed Christians and churches around the world are having many similar struggles. Second, real signs of hope are emerging from the struggle. Leaders are waking up to our changing global context. They’re going deeper and deeper in their diagnosis of the problem, and as they do so, they’re seeing Jesus and the gospel in a beautiful new light. The center of gravity is beginning to shift. …

“I’d like to offer three encouragements for all who consider themselves part of this emergent phenomenon. First, please don’t respond harshly to criticism. …

“Second, I think we need to acknowledge that something big is going on, bigger than any one group or movement or label. … None of us owns it; none of us leads or controls it; none of us even fully grasps what it is yet. But I believe it’s the beginnings of an awakening and movement of the Holy Spirit. …

“Third, I hope we can resist the inevitable pull toward fragmentation and sectarianism that seem to be perennial occupational hazards of Christian ministry and mission. … What could it mean if we continue to move forward together with open arms rather than crossed arms, with open hands rather than pointing fingers or clenched fists?”

He closes with some thoughts on what he believes 2008 will bring. Read the whole thing.

posted by: adam