Which Is It: Emerging or Emergent?

Of course, church history proves that when forms of ecclesiology are messed with, those holding onto traditional ways of ministry will quickly voice their concerns. When the organ was first brought into the church, for instance, people complained loudly. After all, this was a pagan instrument normally used to usher in kings and queens—why would we ever think of employing it in the church? In the same manner, emerging leaders faced mounting criticism when they began changing forms of ministry within the church.

At the same time emerging churches and ministries were being birthed, there was an additional group started by Leadership Network called Terra Nova. This assembly was not only a methodological discussion but, more significantly for the time, a theological discussion as well. Up to that point, the majority of emerging churches addressed ecclesiology and mission. Even when these fellowships were criticized or misunderstood, it was generally about methodology. Of course, all methodology stems from theology; but Terra Nova's focus was more on rethinking theology than simply rethinking methodology.

In 2001, many of those who were part of Terra Nova formed Emergent Village and continued the theological discussions. Because the word emergent was so similar to emerging, the terms began to be used interchangeably. As some in Emergent Village wrote and spoke on various topics such as Scripture, the atonement and hell, the criticism grew harsh, even hostile at times. Because those attacking often used the terms to mean the same thing, soon church culture in general followed suit. Still, there remained a segment who were uncomfortable with some of the theological exploration Emergent Village was doing, which is why some would say, "I am emerging, but not emergent."

What We Know

If you are a pastor who has remained distant from either of these movements, it's easy to feel confused about the emerging church discussions that have been underway. Terms can often cause people to trip up over slight distinctions. Yet one of the most common mistakes people make is to clump the entire emerging church as a single entity, which makes it easy to misunderstand and misjudge. Whatever preconceptions or knowledge you may have, here are a few "summary statements" that may help as you try to understand what the emerging church is.