AUTHOR: Robin Dugall DATE: 2:30:00 PM ----- BODY:

I am a person who is waist deep in the theological and praxis discussions regarding the "Emergent Movement" of the last part of the 20th and early years of this new, 21st century. Fact is, I am finally seeing a deep prayer of mine answered in spades during my lifetime. I actually didn't expect the prayer to be answered this quickly. I thought the church in America would be spinning hopelessly around pragmatism, materialism, egocentricity and irrelevance way beyond my lifetime. Praise God the discussion about the vitality, relevance and missional character of Christ's body is running at a burning intensity for me to witness and participate in first hand. Yeah, it gets a bit petty sometimes. Truth is...there are alot of pastors, thinkers and leaders in modern ministry who are going to go to the mat over their methodology and theology. No one likes to have the mirror of truth held up for them to take a gander at their own futility...especially when that futility is thought to be effectiveness and success. That's why I love the "wheat and weeds" parable in Matthew 13...hey, even Jesus acknowledges that good and evil will be growing side by side for Him to sort out one day. Man, there will be alot of surprised people on that day. Can't wait to see all of the popular, best-selling authors and pastors, church conference leaders, and mega-church "stars" seeing Jesus first congratulate those who have been laboring in a ministry sphere that appears to be insignificant from our cultural evaluative perspective. Frankly, it is about time that we had a reality check and some deep conversation about what church really is all about. Take the article below for example...this has more to do with "Church" than the next "40 Days of Purpose" campaign; it has more to do with spiritual reality than the next "Bring a friend to church Sunday"; it is more that moves the heart of God than that major marketing effort to sell that next "Christian best-seller". FROM THE VOICE OF THE MARTYR'S WEBSITE - "The Bible League received an appeal for prayer from several leaders of churches in the Moscow area, mentioning attacks and beatings of church members and pastors in many regions, as well as the vandalizing and burning of Christian churches. Leaflets with calls to violence against Protestants are being distributed. The U.S. Embassy in Moscow confirms the growing violence-and lapse in law enforcement-in its 2004 International Religious Freedom Report. Pray Christians in Russia will put on the whole armor of God to stand against their enemies. Pray the leaflets calling for violence against Protestants will cause many to look to the true God of peace. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to bring spiritual revival to Russia." The "Emergent Movement" may or may not be around for long. Lord willing, it will truly be a movement and will die a natural death so that another revolutionary and refreshing movement can be birthed by the Holy Spirit. Maybe it isn't your "cup of tea". Even so, thank God that the "movement" has gotten some people mad, defensive, discouraged, interested, moving, provoked, curious, etc. Seems to me that is proof of the action and presence of God in our midst. Finally, some people are looking at the real issues of the faith instead of wondering whether they have that wonderful Clay Aiken book on their Christmas list or whether they are really living the "Purpose-Driven Life" or whether they are supporting a ministry that is really more interested in talking to itself than in addressing the needs and brokenness of a world that so desperately needs God. Maybe besides having some discussions, we should pray that a few of our church buildings get torched and a few church pastors and members get beat up. Maybe that would get the discussion going and growing more in earnest.

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