Wilson L. Deaton
11th December 2006, 08:40 PM (20:40)
Conder, Tim. The Church in Transition: The Journey of Existing Churches in the Emerging Culture.
The back of the book summary says it is not a how-to book. That is absolutely right!
Instead, as I see it, it is a good introduction to the issues that must be addressed, and conversations that need to be held. Since I believe these issues need to be addressed and that these conversations need to be held, I recommend this book.
Conder says that whether we like it or not a new culture is emerging. The question is how the church will/should respond. He points out that there will not be just one right way but many. He also points out that we should relax knowing that adaptation in the church has been taking place for centuries. For example, there were fundamental changes that took place immediately upon Constantine’s conversion.
There are three chapters that cover what Conder calls, “seven deadly fears.” Basically, these are the issues he believes are causing the controversies surrounding the emerging church movement in the eyes of existing churches. Conder tries to show how these fears are largely based on misperceptions and extensions. (“Extensions,” is not his term but is the term used in the study of logic when an opponent’s view is exaggerated making it easier to attack.)
After dealing with the “fears,” Conder transitions with a chapter on the topic of how transitioning is a whole more than updating the worship service or putting art and candles in our foyers. In fact, the chapter is titled, “Changing Your Worship Service: Why the Obvious Starting Point is Usually Not the Best Starting Place.”
From there he moves to a series of chapters on areas where transition should take place: spiritual formation, leadership, community formation, mission, and worship.
Besides these big picture issues, I enjoyed, and was challenged by, many of the shorter themes that came up as examples and explanations of the larger more abstract themes. For example, he states that homosexuality “is the lightening rod of conflict…” He then goes on to say, “The inordinate amount of attention placed on the topic of homosexuality … dulls the church’s very significant message on the larger topic of human sexuality…. Most grievously, we are to often too silent on ethical issues related to heterosexual behavior. The strong disconnect … allows some Christians to decry homosexual behavior as immoral, while ignoring many of the same issues of promiscuity and pain in relation to heterosexuality…. Our passion toward singular issues like homosexuality forces us to continually answer cultural indictments of intolerance and irrelevance.”
There is also much value in some of the themes that repeat in various contexts such as the postmodern penchant for community and mystery.
The book’s biggest weakness might be that some of the material is overly abstract. At one point, Conder even self-criticizes the entire emerging movement for this very problem. He writes, “When we talk about, ‘entering into narrative,’ ‘embodiment of ethics,’ and ‘post-rational trajectories of discernment,’ we’re begging for some honest confusion.” He’s right!
I recommend this book to everyone who wishes to remain or become relevant in their ministry as the postmodern culture continues to emerge. I would especially recommend it to those who are afraid of ministry in the emerging culture.
Wilson
The back of the book summary says it is not a how-to book. That is absolutely right!
Instead, as I see it, it is a good introduction to the issues that must be addressed, and conversations that need to be held. Since I believe these issues need to be addressed and that these conversations need to be held, I recommend this book.
Conder says that whether we like it or not a new culture is emerging. The question is how the church will/should respond. He points out that there will not be just one right way but many. He also points out that we should relax knowing that adaptation in the church has been taking place for centuries. For example, there were fundamental changes that took place immediately upon Constantine’s conversion.
There are three chapters that cover what Conder calls, “seven deadly fears.” Basically, these are the issues he believes are causing the controversies surrounding the emerging church movement in the eyes of existing churches. Conder tries to show how these fears are largely based on misperceptions and extensions. (“Extensions,” is not his term but is the term used in the study of logic when an opponent’s view is exaggerated making it easier to attack.)
After dealing with the “fears,” Conder transitions with a chapter on the topic of how transitioning is a whole more than updating the worship service or putting art and candles in our foyers. In fact, the chapter is titled, “Changing Your Worship Service: Why the Obvious Starting Point is Usually Not the Best Starting Place.”
From there he moves to a series of chapters on areas where transition should take place: spiritual formation, leadership, community formation, mission, and worship.
Besides these big picture issues, I enjoyed, and was challenged by, many of the shorter themes that came up as examples and explanations of the larger more abstract themes. For example, he states that homosexuality “is the lightening rod of conflict…” He then goes on to say, “The inordinate amount of attention placed on the topic of homosexuality … dulls the church’s very significant message on the larger topic of human sexuality…. Most grievously, we are to often too silent on ethical issues related to heterosexual behavior. The strong disconnect … allows some Christians to decry homosexual behavior as immoral, while ignoring many of the same issues of promiscuity and pain in relation to heterosexuality…. Our passion toward singular issues like homosexuality forces us to continually answer cultural indictments of intolerance and irrelevance.”
There is also much value in some of the themes that repeat in various contexts such as the postmodern penchant for community and mystery.
The book’s biggest weakness might be that some of the material is overly abstract. At one point, Conder even self-criticizes the entire emerging movement for this very problem. He writes, “When we talk about, ‘entering into narrative,’ ‘embodiment of ethics,’ and ‘post-rational trajectories of discernment,’ we’re begging for some honest confusion.” He’s right!
I recommend this book to everyone who wishes to remain or become relevant in their ministry as the postmodern culture continues to emerge. I would especially recommend it to those who are afraid of ministry in the emerging culture.
Wilson