Deeper shade of grey | impacted

Desperation for a new kind of church

W

e never noticed it, tucked away in Eryn’s mouth is an impacted tooth. The dentist noticed it and pointed its existence to us and made sure we were aware it needed attention on the cleaning front. So every day we give this unfortunate tooth some encouragement by giving it a good brush.

“An impacted tooth is when a tooth fails to fully emerge through the gums.”

Failure to fully emerge? There is a growing tension within me. I love the emerging church thing, the creativity and fluidity, its confluence of thought and ideas; but I need more.

I am desperate to read of an emerging church that isn’t so much about multiple TV’s, video loops, Moby and U2. I am desperate to read of an emerging church that isn’t so much about slick html, book contacts and wifi conferencing. I am desperate to read of an emerging church that isn’t so much about cosy community where we sit around sharing stories, adding our colours to the tapestry that is a gospel narrative.

Listen - I take all of it and love it but I need more. It’s not enough for me. I’m tired of the latest.

I am desperate to read of an emerging church that stands up and says the way we live is about local justice in our community, the way we live is about presenting true hope and liberty, the way we live about is about sharing true compassion and mercy. I am desperate to read of an emerging church that is bedded in mission that is beyond that of being attractional eye candy. That is open to the whosoever of its community to drop by and feel safe and wanted.

Until the emerging church fully embraces mission beyond that which is merely worship experience I’ve a feeling that it will remain more impacted than emerged. The trouble with an impacted tooth - it lacks a biting edge.

Deeper shade of grey appears every Wednesday on theRubicon. Find past posts and a bio of Capt. Gordon Cotterill here.

No comments yet.

Leave a comment