The Emergent Church and the Disciples
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a denomination that was born on the American frontier, not long after the birth of the American nation. Actually, the Disciples are one of three traditions that derive from that reform movement founded by Thomas and Alexander Campbell, along with Barton Stone and Walter Scott. We Disciples are essentially the Mainline (moderate/liberal) wing of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Some of the hallmarks of our tradition are a commitment to the ministry of the laity, freedom of interpretation, and to Christian unity. We're one of the few Protestant traditions to practice weekly communion, and one of the few to allow lay persons to preside at the Lord's Table. We baptize by immersion upon confession of faith but welcome persons baptized as infants in other traditions.
That commitment to unity and freedom apparently drew at least one Emergent church pastor seeking a home to the Disciples doorstep. Rich McCullen, pastor of San Diego's Missiongathering Church, was that pastor and they have become something of a model and trendsetter. Their story is featured in a Disciples World article by Lee Sparks in the January/February issue. Sparks' interview notes with McCullen have been made available, along with interviews with Dan Kimball (a leading Emergent figure), Don Shelton (Regional Minister for the Disciples Pacific Southwest Region), and Michael Livingstone -- a Rice University sociologist.
The McCullen interview is quite interesting and instructive. Of course, having read a bit of Brian McLaren's books, I think my denomination would be a great host denomination for many of these churches. I'm committed to the ecumenical movement and want to see innovation and all, but I also believe there is value in the institutional structures -- so what a partnership made in heaven!
So check out the interview and then read the other interviews that are posted at the DW site.
That commitment to unity and freedom apparently drew at least one Emergent church pastor seeking a home to the Disciples doorstep. Rich McCullen, pastor of San Diego's Missiongathering Church, was that pastor and they have become something of a model and trendsetter. Their story is featured in a Disciples World article by Lee Sparks in the January/February issue. Sparks' interview notes with McCullen have been made available, along with interviews with Dan Kimball (a leading Emergent figure), Don Shelton (Regional Minister for the Disciples Pacific Southwest Region), and Michael Livingstone -- a Rice University sociologist.
The McCullen interview is quite interesting and instructive. Of course, having read a bit of Brian McLaren's books, I think my denomination would be a great host denomination for many of these churches. I'm committed to the ecumenical movement and want to see innovation and all, but I also believe there is value in the institutional structures -- so what a partnership made in heaven!
So check out the interview and then read the other interviews that are posted at the DW site.
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