Apparently, I am an “Emergent Village Idiot“.
I only came across the post on a blog today, when someone clicked through and the incoming link came up on my statcounter. The actual post is a year old, but I didn’t clock it then. Providential? Maybe…
So they are quoting my bio, as evidence that I am an emerging village idiot. It has to be said that my bio is not the most original, nor the best. When setting up my blog, I needed to write something, and that was it. Perhaps it is time to change it…
I do love the the title of the blog post … very clever. Shame that isn’t true. But there again, when should we allow truth to get in the way, of a good story, good post, or good laugh?
For the uninitiated, Emergent Village is a loose organisation in the US. Tony Jones is the national coordinator, and perhaps most well-know would be Brian McLaren who is on the board of directors. It is a wide coalition of people, including Scot McKnight of Jesus Creed fame, who could hardly be described as an idiot.
For the record, I am not a member of Emergent Village. I do read some of the blogs and books of people connected with Emergent Village, and have found them stimulating and interesting. But just because I read a book or blog doesn’t mean that I endorse all the views … yada, yada, yada…
Moving on the term “idiot” … actually lets not …
However, this is the funniest bit - a comment from someone after the post…
Ummm, this is an interesting comment thread … First, I’m wondering why you’re picking on this guy, Rupert Ward. I’ve never heard of him, but apparently he’s a big enough figure for you to critique the “about” page on his blog?
So I have finally made it!
And good question: why are you picking on this guy, Rupert Ward. I think they could have found someone who fits the bill a bit better than I?
so that’s which member of the village peope you are
clearly your global voice is a lot more significant than you thought
Thanks for the comment Paul … i am definately the hunky one!
As for my global voice, it is pretty non-existent! But yours … come to think of it, why didn’t they pick you…?
That’s hilarious. And uncanny…..they seem to know you so well!
Ha ha Mr. Matthew
It is funny, isn’t it!
I must be such a big name in the Emerging church world … Ha Ha Ha!
Amusing post…it is funny when someone who doesn’t know you blasts you on a blog, and then someone else steps in to defend you
My own policy is, if you are not offending anyone, you are probably not walking in the truth!
Also, I didn’t realise that McKnight was associated with the Emergent Village. Funny, because I am big fan of him, whilst others in the “village” much less so. I guess it shows how many different “positions” the village encompases.
I guess the other option in the blog world is that, if no-one is offended, then it might be that no-one is reading!!
The funny thing about the critique is that i have no real feelings about Emergent Village … i like some of the individuals, and i really agree with you about McKnight. But the organization isn’t important to me at all.
I am also not sure that i really like the label emerging church either. In one sense, i think church needs to be continually reforming and changing, contextualizing the good news into a changing cultural environments. So the church should always be emerging!
Hey ho… Thanks for leaving a comment alastair.
I agree that the church should always be emerging, but I think the label is helpful at the moment when so much of the church is simply not “emerging” or “resurging” (the reformed emerging label) or “missional” or whatever. I am hoping that rather like the charismatic movement, which can no longer clearly delineate itself from evangelicalism, the emerging movement will have a positive effect on less-emerging/non-emerging congregations.
hey alastair - can you clarify a little more what you are saying here?
Are you saying the church in general has got stuck in old models and needs reforming? therefore emerging is appropriate particularly at the moment?
One of the difficulties is that terms change so much, and mean so many differing things. We are talking about missional church, but recognising this is still a work in progress. perhaps emerging missional church is as a good a term as any? we are missional, but seeking to be increasingly so…
Rupert,
I just wanted you to know that you’re welcome to write for the Emergent Village blog anytime!
Shalom,
Steve K.
Steve - thanks for that invitation! Give them something to properly critique!
Well I stumbled upon your blog, I guess it could have been Peter Kirks’s blog? Oh who knows. But one of the first things I read usually after the first post is the about me page. It tells me where they are coming from “sometimes”.
I happen to think it is a perfectly fine about me page. Most ppl should be a little humble when writing about themselves, most are not in the blogosphere.
I like ya, I am bookmarking ya :). I might even link ya, THEN you will see the weirdos come streaming in
I am also very busy so I have to look up the context of the “emerging church”, all I know is that I have been on the “bleeding edge”. I am covered in the blood
Kelly - thanks for the comment. sorry it has taken a few days to reply - been a little busy!
I appreciate the encouragement about my bio … not easy things to write without sounding a bit your own bum!