Brian McLaren and the Emergent Conversation…

Brian McLaren was at GRTS yesterday participating in a conversation with Mike Wittmer, professor of Systematic Theology at GRTS, and Ed Dobson, pastor of Calvary Church in Grand Rapids. The conversation, in my estimation, was really a conversation rather than a debate. What I experienced were three people, passionate about the gospel of Jesus and the church sharing their dreams, concerns, and critiques. Something was communicated beyond the “presentations” … a message that Christians of all types can truly dialogue with one another. I hope that spills over into all corners of Jesus following communities.

In the last session, I had a chance to moderate a panel discussion between the three. Here are some of the questions I asked:

• While the emergent/established distinction isn’t necessarily divided neatly by generation (it’s more about value tribes), there is no doubt that the greatest tension is felt in established churches filled with modern Sr. pastors and emergent youth pastors. What input might you give to Sr. Pastors and to youth pastors who are sensing that they need to have their own conversation?

• In many areas of the church, we see a primarily male dominated institution. What are each of you doing/considering in your own context to encourage female voices to be heard in the church?

• Critics and advocates of emergent have warned that Emergent is primarily a white, male dominated movement, saying that this is no different from the established, “modern” church. How does one move toward a multicultural expression of the gospel and what priorities must we embrace to get there?

• One common strand in Protestantism… is one’s bent toward protest. While, church planting is an essential expression in the church, what advice would you give to church planters who desire to do church in a fresh way, yet stay connected with the broader church? How do we cheer on church planting and not perpetuate protest?

• Is “Apologetics” a necessary approach for the church to engage the world anymore? If yes, why? If not, what is the “apologetic” for the church today?

• Some critics have commented that emergent has thrown it’s net too wide. That to be generous with one’s orthodoxy leads to universalism. What does it look like to “belong” in a Christian community?

• Each of you are influential in your own areas of context (emergent, seminary/academic, mega church/GR), therefore you have followers. Speak to each of your own. What would you encourage your followers to continue to do? What caution would you give your own followers?

For their responses, and for the whole dialogue, you can download the mp3’s at

GRTS Talking Points

Finally, I found an interesting word popping up among many participants throughout the day… “fear.” I wonder if the conversation/dialogue turns to debate when people become fearful of change, fearful of looking at the world and their faith in different ways. New perspectives can feel like “attacks” and look like “heresy” and many are quick to dismiss the thinking or move beyond the issue and attack the person (just go to Amazon and read the comments from Rob Bell’s book “Velvet Elvis” and you’ll see what I mean).

Fear is a real emotion. We can’t tell people to not “feel” something. But I wonder what we can do to create safe space where ideas, fear, hope, and change have room to percolate beyond knee-jerk reactions into something more edifying.

This is what the will make the church beautiful and the gospel more clear for everyone.