January 30, 2008 News & Views » News Feature

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Must everything change? 

Christian thinker brings message to Charlotte

By
click to enlarge Brian McLaren

  • Brian McLaren

Page 3 of 3

Charlotte has many churches that either are part of the Emerging Church Movement or cater to a younger crowd, including NoDa's Area 15 and Revolution Charlotte, which meets at the Milestone and is probably best known for being co-founded by Jay Bakker. Where do you think the Emerging Church Movement will be in 20 years? Will the young emergent Christians of today still be worshipping in the same way, or will they have "moved on" to more traditional Christianity?

Well, my real hope is that in 20 years we won't be talking about "the Emerging Church Movement." My hope is that the issues a number of us are raising will become accepted elements of a more mature and holistic Christianity that is shared by Christians in general. One dimension of that more mature Christianity would be, I hope, an assumption that diversity and creativity in forms of worship is a good thing, not a bad one, and that change is not only unavoidable and normal, but a wonderful opportunity for growth. That will mean moving on from the old assumption that there's only one right method or liturgy or doctrinal statement or organizational structure, and moving into a realization that our mission and message can take many forms. To use Jesus' image, we'll recognize more and more that what counts is the new wine of the message we carry, not the shape of the wineskins we carry it in. The creative diversity of churches in Charlotte already demonstrates this vitality, I think. I'm really looking forward to meeting people from all of these churches -- across styles and denominations -- who are interested in seeing what the core message of Jesus has to say to the global crises that challenge both us and our children and grandchildren. I've found that when we address these issues, it's not depressing at all. I think it's actually exciting and motivating and unleashes hope and energy. I think people of faith in Charlotte have a big role to play in all this!

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