I did go to a few emerging church events when the idea was, erm, emerging about 8 years ago or so. While I quite like debate, philosophising and theorizing I would have to admit that it is often an easy substitute for action. Unfortunately the emerging church paradigm seems to play well to self-obsessed post-moderns. All that old fashioned church stuff is pretty square, wheras all the social engagement stuff seems quite cool and exciting. The coolness and excitement however quickly vanishes however when confronted with the reality of actually doing something.

I was on the bus earlier this week and a homeless guy got on. I was 15 feet away and I could smell him; I don’t have a strong sense of smell. Working with people like this hardly fits the cool, stylish image that many emerging churches seem to crave. This must be especially so if there are few results to be seen from a particular program.

Unfortunately, this is where I think that a particular type of left-wing politics adds an additional unsavoury element to the mix. Empty merely verbal political activism gives the impression of action without the need to dirty ones hands with actually doing anything.

I suppose when the Salvation Army was founded they knew that the work would be difficult and unpopular and the rewards few. Today people seem to expect instant results and instant acclaim from others.

My blog readers will be interested in your post so added a trackback to it on CatholicTide…

My blog readers will be interested in your post so added a trackback to it on CatholicTide…