In a recent post on the Out of Ur blog the issue of the term “emerging church” is said to be dead, or dying, or, at least, soon to be put to rest. Because of the increasing confusion about the term some emergent leaders, like Dan Kimball and Andrews Jones believe that the current state of the emerging church has become too broad to describe or identify with. Kimball says, “I can’t defend or even explain theologically what is now known broadly as “the emerging church” anymore, because it has developed into so many significantly different theological strands. Some I strongly would disagree with.”
Jones says, “Words change. We give meaning to words and we take it away. The word is problematic for many American institutions and often insulting to European ministries that preceded their American counterparts. So . . . most of you said to dump it and I will. But I am still staying connected to many ministries around the world that are using it.”
What are your thoughts about burying the term “emerging church”?
