There continues to be a great discussion across the Interwebs as folks try to nail-down exactly what it means to be “emergent.”
Folks are coming into the conversation from all different places in their lives, as well as at different points in the emerging conversation.
Some people have been discussing emerging Christianity since the 1960’s (or before); some have been in the the discussion for 15 to 20+ years; some picked up the discussion circa 1997 when the initial discussions were taking place that ultimately led to the formation of Emergent Village; others listened in at various points along the way and started to align themselves with the emergent conversation in more recent years (myself included); and still others are on the “outside” hearing criticism from various folks and groups and wondering what its all about. Continue reading What is emergent?
Nicholas Fiedler (of Nick and Josh Podcast fame) shared an open, honest reflection on his disappointment with Emergent on his blog.
He mentions later in the comments that perhaps after spending 15 months abroad, he’s disappointed to see the conversation hasn’t moved anywhere from when he left. Understood.
We must transition from seeing church as a once-a-week worship event to an ongoing spiritual family on mission together. Then people will see church as something worth giving your life for. Honestly, people need one another more then they need another inspiring message. You would be surprised what people will do for Jesus, or for a brother or sister, that they will not do for a vision statement and a capital giving campaign.
Some of you might have no clue what they’re talking about here. So as a brief background, Tony Jones recently stepped down as the National Coordinator for Emergent Village. After he stepped down, Josh Case (now part of the Nick and Josh Podcast) posted a video suggesting that as part of the idea and concepts behind Emergent Village and “crowd-sourcing” (my words, not his) anyone who takes part in Emergent Village should now be a National Coordinator (I would add that it’s very similar in idea to the fact that because of Christ, we’re all now part of the priesthood).
But regardless, while this is a slam against Emergent Village I’m going to say this is greatness. Very funny. The “Scrawny Kiwi” writes that Matt, who posted the video, said it was made by Randy Brandt.
If you don’t quite understand the above video, maybe you’ll get a kick out of an earlier version that came out after my beloved Cowboys lost to the New York Giants in the playoffs last year.
The Church of the Beloved is offering a new album available for free download. I’m really digging it this morning. A great sound and great lyrics.
From the church’s website ::
The book of Job is the oldest book of Scripture and it asks one of the oldest questions, ‘Is there hope?’
‘Is there hope for a tree cut down? …Yes. At the mere scent of water it will bud and grow green shoots.’
That is what we are discovering together at Church of the Beloved – a hope. Hope that something new is beginning that has very old roots. Hope that God is growing life out of our devastation, trust out of our cynicism, love out of our fear, community out of our isolation…. And that’s what this album is about – fumbling into God’s grace. It is a seismic and humble shift when our heart can hear the words that God has been saying to us for all our lives, ‘…nothing can separate you from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus’. These songs say ‘Yes’ to God’s claim upon your life that, ‘You are my Beloved.’â€
Here are the lyrics to their song “Given”:
We may be little, insignificant in the eyes of this world,
but when we realize that God has sent us to the world as blessed
our lives will multiply and grow to fill the needs of others.
Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.
Who can we be for each other?
Who can we be for the world?
Who can we be for each other?
Lord, who can we be?
How different would our lives be if we believed every single gesture
every act of faith or love or joy or peace or word of forgiveness
would multiply as long as there are people to receive it.
Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.
We are given. We are given. We are given.
(We are given. Our gift is who we are. It’s who we are!)
Our gift is not what we can do but who we are.
Earlier this week blogger Mike Morrell asked “what sould emergent/emerging worship look like and sound like?”
I’m sure everyone has different ideas. Jonny Baker is big into the alt.worship scene. Others like Solomon’s Porch, are big on their community of faith writing their own songs and sharing them together. Others I know could care less what the music looks or sounds like – they’re more interested in the celebration and the sharing of stories/testimonies. They admit that their mind wanders during community singing and they may start thinking about work, home or motorcycles instead.
Either way I believe our worship should be defined as “celebrating what God is doing.”
Michael points to 4 key elements (suggested by Adam Walker Cleveland) that should be a part of “emerging worship” ::
gender-inclusive language (esp. in our language for God)
a shift from a I-YOU-me & God focus, and a refocusing on the community
a passion for the biblical themes of social justice, peace and a desire to speak for the oppressed
maybe just some more songs straight from scripture (or from saints and desert fathers), letting God’s work speak for itself, instead of pressing our own interpretation onto it, and onto the congregation that will sing the song
Some may say the words to the songs don’t mean much – but I’m a big believer that they do. When I play an artist like Derek Webb, Bob Dylan or Flobots on my Zune – their lyrics move me to action (or at least increase my desire to do something). U2‘s Sunday Bloody Sunday doesn’t allow me to sit back and ignore the violence going on in the world – it calls me to action.
And likewise, as I and others have said before, when I walk into church and only sing songs about being hungry or thirsty — I’ll probably leave feeling hungry and thirsty. But if the weight of the world is on my shoulders and I can sing songs of How Great Thou Art and How Great is Our God or other songs about the strength and might and love of my God, my burden is lightened and I’m more willing to submit control of my situation to God.
Michael points out one band that is attempting meet these four keys to emerging worship, Zehnder.
I got a copy of their album and it’s definitely a mix of musical styles. A little something for everyone perhaps. (That may be something that’s missing at encounter. We tend to lean more towards the rock or the softer acoustic/unplugged rock sound.)
On Going Up, the Zehnder brothers lyrically fit the 4 points that Michael and Adam point to, while mixing in original tunes as well as a rendition of What Wondrous Love is This. Musically I wasn’t as impressed the first time I listened to the album, but upon further listening and as the words began to sink in I’ve became more and more attracted to the music.
Musically I would say several of the songs are similar in style to Simon and Garfunkle others have more of an upbeat sound with almost a choral backing, especially on the song Rise Up ::
Rise up, feel the change!
The Resurrection comes again!
Rise up, believe the change!
We’ll never be the same again!
Spirit Born seems to have it’s musical and vocal styling influenced by Sting (download the free Mp3).
You know the wind blows, wind blows where it chooses
You hear the sound of it
But you don’t know, don’t know where it comes from
Or where it goes, it goes, it goes
Yeah, you know don’t know, don’t know where it comes from
Or where it goes, it goes, it goes
Blow through me, Wind, breathe on me, Breath, make Spirit born,
All of my soul, make Spirit born, Spirit born.
And Justice Jam could be possibly be confused with a Flobots track using backing strings, a hip-hop beat and heavy social justice lyrics (listen to a sample).
For justice I bust this flow for free
Used to be blind but now I see
Through the eyes of the elders who came before me
Like Malcolm and Martin and I can’t forget Mahatma Gandhi
Take a knee, homey / Hug an old bodhi tree
Realize how to be revolutionary
Destiny is divine when aligned with the truth
That resides deep inside that g-ride of my youth
Now I got proof of insurance and a photo ID
But I choose to tell time by Mayan prophecy – Oo, Let justice roll down…
Overall I think the Zehnder brothers have created an album that challenges us to much greater themes than much of the music you’ll hear on your local “Christian radio station.” It challenges us to think about our faith and how it impacts (or doesn’t impact) our daily lives.
I’m not sure the songs are as singable in a community settings as some that Dave Andrews has written but I definitely wouldn’t object to trying them out in a community setting.
But don’t take my word for it.
Go check out the band’s website ztheband.com and then purchase their CD from CDBaby.
And while you wait for the album to arrive, check out their 2003 rendition of Song of Peace ::
Give the band a listen and let me know what you think.
