The Emerging Church Revised Expanded

In this newly revised and expanded edition of The Emerging Church, Bruce Sanguin continues his exploration of the characteristics of emerging, evolutionary-driven congregations that provides updated guidelines and advice to those seeking to effect evolutionary change in their own contexts.

In this newly revised and expanded edition of The Emerging Church, Bruce Sanguin continues his exploration of the characteristics of emerging, evolutionary-driven congregations and provides updated guidelines and advice to those seeking to effect evolutionary change in their own contexts.

Provides a comprehensive examination of the emerging church phenomenon, considering emerging patterns in leadership, worship, mission, spiritual practices, and cultural engagement.

The emerging church movement has quickly become one of the fastest growing ecclesiological phenomena in the west today. But there is still a debate to be had about how the church understands its identity and purpose within postmodern culture. Offering an assessment of the impact of the emerging church upon the church in the West, and examining the thinking of the movement's leading proponents including Brian McLaren and Rob Bell, "New World, New Church?" affirms what is good and insightful in the emerging church and offers a robust critical evaluation of its theological revisions. Table of Contents: 1. What is the Emerging Church? 2. The Emerging Church and Culture 3. The Emerging Church and Eschatology 4. The Emerging Church and Missiology 5. The Emerging Church and Ecclesiology 6 The Church of Tomorrow Bibliography

A careful and informed assessment of the “emerging church” by a respected author and scholar The “emerging church” movement has generated a lot of excitement and exerts an astonishingly broad influence. Is it the wave of the future or a passing fancy? Who are the leaders and what are they saying? The time has come for a mature assessment. D. A. Carson not only gives those who may be unfamiliar with it a perceptive introduction to the emerging church movement, but also includes a skillful assessment of its theological views. Carson addresses some troubling weaknesses of the movement frankly and thoughtfully, while at the same time recognizing that it has important things to say to the rest of Christianity. The author strives to provide a perspective that is both honest and fair. Anyone interested in the future of the church in a rapidly changing world will find this an informative and stimulating read. D. A. Carson (Ph.D., University of Cambridge) is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is the author of over 45 books, including the Gold Medallion Award-winning book The Gagging of God, and is general editor of Telling the Truth and Worship by the Book. He has served as a pastor and is an active guest lecturer in church and academic settings around the world.

Much has been written by practitioners advocating the emerging church phenomenon, but confusion about the nature and beliefs of those who identify with the emerging church still exists. Now that the movement has aged a bit, the time has come for a more rigorous, scholarly analysis. Here four influential authors, each an expert in his field, discuss important cultural, theological, philosophical, and biblical underpinnings and implications of the emerging church movement. Their sympathetic yet critical assessment helps readers better understand the roots of the movement and the impact that it has had and is having on wider traditions.

ReShape is a guided process for capturing and integrating the innovation and adaptation resulting from volatile life experiences, transforming churches into greater expressions of the body of Christ. -ReShape Purpose StatementAs our world becomes more of a VUCA environment (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity), Christ-followers and churches are looking for God's calling within the volatility. Many churches and their leaders are hearing the call to transformation inherent in life disruption events. Like Holy Spirit winds blowing on dormant coals, churches are adapting and shifting in our quickly changing ministry environment, eager to integrate their experiences into their common life and ministry. ReShape is not a book of best practices, but is a process for discovering your church's emerging practices. After setting the context, readers will learn the seven key practices for reshaping churches when volatile events come our way, anticipating the following outcomes ¿Integrating the innovation gained through volatile experiences¿Gracefully laying aside those activities which have become irrelevant¿Greater spiritual imagination; emerging into the unfolding call of God while moving ahead¿Increasing vitality; more eagerly pursuing life and mission¿Turning toward a growth posture; looking for the spiritual and organizational transformation opportunities in every life experience¿Cultivating a culture of innovation wherein adaptive activity is blessed and reinforced¿Strengthening leadership through valuing leaders who call churches forward into their emerging expression of church¿Strengthening adaptive capacity; positioning for innovation as needed in this changing world¿Improving structure toward supporting mission and emerging expression of church Mark Tidsworth actively engages the intersection of God, faith, Church, and emerging culture. A wide range of vocational experiences equip Mark with an expansive perspective and integrated approach to church leadership; including leadership coach, trainer, consultant, pastor, non-profit organization leader, therapist, and business-owner. Frequently Mark is a presenter in clergy and church staff gatherings as well as denominational and congregational events. Since 2008, Mark has served as Team Leader at Pinnacle Leadership Associates based in Columbia, SC.

The "emerging church" movement is perhaps the most significant church trend of our day. The emerging church offers and encourages a new way of doing and being the church. While it largely resonates with an eighteen-to-thirty-four-year-old audience--the first fully postmodern generation--it is also gaining popularity with older Christians and encompasses a broad array of traditional and contemporary churches. Emerging Churches explores this movement and provides insight into its success. Filled with the latest research and interesting, anecdotal testimonies from those on the cutting edge of ministry, this book provides pastors, church leaders, and interested readers with an insightful glimpse into the thriving churches of today--and tomorrow.