The Influence of the Emerging Church in a Post-Modern World upon the Restoration Movement

The following are the notes that Mike Runcie, Klint Pleasant and I used to lead the discussion in class this morning at the McKnight Road Church of Christ on June 11, 2006.

I. The “Restoration” of the 19th century was a movement of various believers from different denominational backgrounds. Its motto was “Christians only; but, not the only Christians.”

II. What is the “Emerging Church” movement?
a. In a book entitled "Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church," which is scheduled to be published in June by Zondervan, theologian D.A. Carson defines the Emerging Church Movement as a group of people who believe the church must use new modes of expressing the Gospel as western culture adopts a postmodern mindset."At the heart of the 'movement' ... lies the conviction that changes in the culture signal that a new church is 'emerging,'" writes Carson, who serves as research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. "Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this emerging church. Those who fail to do so are blind to the cultural accretions that hide the gospel behind forms of thought and modes of expression that no longer communicate with the new generation."According to Carson, the movement arose as a protest against the institutional church, modernism and seeker-sensitive churches. At times it is difficult to identify with precision the participants and parameters of the movement, he writes.Carson acknowledges that the Emerging Church Movement has encouraged evangelicals to take note of cultural trends and has emphasized authenticity among believers.

III. While many contemporary church leaders have been busy in our church offices preparing sermons, running church programs and making church more professional, a new world is emerging all around us. We are fast moving from a Judeo-Christian world to a post-Christian world. This means we need to rethink leadership, preaching, spiritual formation, evangelism, what we do in worship services and most importantly of all how we view "church”.

IV. What is it that people seek?

A. Hospitality

B. Authenticity

C. Community

V. What is the church’s role in a society that is increasingly hostile to traditional Christian values?
a. Basis of morality?
b. Definition of the “Family”
c. Institution of Marriage
d. The role of justice in Society
e.


VII. -The change in our society from a Judeo -Christian world to a post-Christian world. This means we need to rethink leadership, preaching, spiritual formation, evangelism, what we do in worship services and most importantly of all how we view "church".