In keeping with the new format of www.missioalliance.org, we are adding a second post every week. This week’s second post is this one by Geoff Holscaw. He also is a Co-Pastor at Life on the Vine Church, and an Affiliate Professor of Theology at Northern Seminary. You can follow him on Twitter or FB. Read more about him here. Join in this conversation won’t you?
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Tony Jones is asking some great questions about labels, especially about ‘missional.’ He was prompted by one of our very short promo videos where we distinguish between Neo-Reformed and Emergent. He notes that we “are among the most responsible people for the growth and development of the emergent movement,” to which I say that Tony is giving us far too much credit.
But back to those pesky labels. Often times the best way to understand these labels is not through definitions and criteria, but through stories and lives. In the “Introduction” Prodigal Christianity Dave and I (Geoff) talk about how we have moved from the ‘Emergent’ to the ‘Missional’ label and what we HOPE that label could mean. In the Introduction we note that the term ‘missional’ can mean just about anything (and we lament this), but we still hope that it could catalyze a renewal of the church. If nothing less, we hope our book can contribute to the much larger movement coalescing as Missio Alliance, a group linking churches, denominations, and seminaries among the forgotten Evangelicalism (the non-SBC/Gospel Coalition type of Evangelicals).
Because you can get the Introduction for free on Kindle and Nook, we thought we would just save you the step and post it here.
~ Prodigal Christianity Introduction ~
What do you HOPE for (and or fear) when it comes to ‘missional’? Is there any use in that label? What is its difference from ’emergent’?
(FYI: Prodigal Christianity is now available digitally, and comes out in hardback on March 18th)
Missio Alliance Comment Policy
The Missio Alliance Writing Collectives exist as a ministry of writing to resource theological practitioners for mission. From our Leading Voices to our regular Writing Team and those invited to publish with us as Community Voices, we are creating a space for thoughtful engagement of critical issues and questions facing the North American Church in God’s mission. This sort of thoughtful engagement is something that we seek to engender not only in our publishing, but in conversations that unfold as a result in the comment section of our articles.
Unfortunately, because of the relational distance introduced by online communication, “thoughtful engagement” and “comment sections” seldom go hand in hand. At the same time, censorship of comments by those who disagree with points made by authors, whose anger or limited perspective taints their words, or who simply feel the need to express their own opinion on a topic without any meaningful engagement with the article or comment in question can mask an important window into the true state of Christian discourse. As such, Missio Alliance sets forth the following suggestions for those who wish to engage in conversation around our writing:
1. Seek to understand the author’s intent.
If you disagree with something the an author said, consider framing your response as, “I hear you as saying _________. Am I understanding you correctly? If so, here’s why I disagree. _____________.
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We deeply desire and value the voice and perspective of our readers. However you may react to an article we publish or a fellow commenter, we encourage you to set forth that reaction is the most constructive way possible. Use your voice and perspective to move conversation forward rather than shut it down.
3. Share your story.
One of our favorite tenants is that “an enemy is someone whose story we haven’t heard.” Very often disagreements and rants are the result of people talking past rather than to one another. Everyone’s perspective is intimately bound up with their own stories – their contexts and experiences. We encourage you to couch your comments in whatever aspect of your own story might help others understand where you are coming from.
In view of those suggestions for shaping conversation on our site and in an effort to curate a hospitable space of open conversation, Missio Alliance may delete comments and/or ban users who show no regard for constructive engagement, especially those whose comments are easily construed as trolling, threatening, or abusive.