One of the more challenging things (Among many others) with being a pastor at The Well is the constant need for us define if we are an “emerging church” or not. I’m not going to get into that here, I’ve already done so elsewhere. But, I believe the reason this question gets asked so often (mostly only by Christians, those who aren’t Christians don’t seem to care so much) is because there is so much misunderstanding and confusion about what the emerging church actually is (or isn’t).
So, in an effort to bring about better understanding I am going to be leading an emerging church reading group this summer. In this group, we’ll basically spend the summer reading through some of the key texts around this topic. The intent of this group is not to come to a final conclusion on whether the emerging church is evil or not, but rather, the goal will be understanding.
So, here is my question for all you emerging church “experts” out there. What books would you include in this study if you could only choose four? Why only four? Mostly, that’s all we have time for.
I’m mostly looking for “source material” here when it comes to the topic. I’ve got my own ideas and my own list but I’d love to hear your ideas.
Oh, if you are from the Philly area and are interested in being part of this group please let me know. We’ll meet at least once a month during the summer (maybe more) and it’s more than likely we’ll have some surprise guests.
eric couch said...
1Hey Todd,
This sounds very interesting. As I am still learning about the emerging church and what it stands for. So, my list of books may not be the best but here goes:
Planting Missional Churches- Stetzer
Jesus wants to save Christians – Rob Bell
No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come-as-You-Are? Culture in the Church – John Burke _ i have not read this
Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be – Pastor is reading this.
I would welcome your suggestions
12/22/09 11:02 AM | Comment Link
Steve McCoy said...
2Three came to mind…
New Kind of Christian – McLaren
Emerging Churches – Gibbs/Bolger
Belcher’s Deep Church – Belcher
12/22/09 11:31 AM | Comment Link
Tim said...
3Some solid recommendations already. Heard good things about Deep Church, that’s on the reading list.
You know Eric is right, Rob Bell’s name always comes up. I know Velvet Elvis has been really helpful for many people too.
This is my list in this order.
New Christians – Tony Jones
Colossians Remixed – Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat – Chapters 6 & 7 on the nature of truth are the best I’ve read in terms of how to explain this to someone outside the emerging church. I’d say, it’s the poor man’s Proper Confidence (Newbigin)
A Generous Orthodoxy – Brian McLaren
Listening to the Beliefs of the Emerging Church- edited by Robert Webber. In truth, I was a bit frustrated while reading this but Doug’s voice was pretty helpful and as a whole, this book is great for conversation.
Also, Scot McKnight’s 5 Streams of the Emerging Church on CT is excellent.
12/22/09 12:28 PM | Comment Link
Bret Wells said...
4Hey Todd,
The struggle in citing “emerging church” books is that if its not Emergent it can be hard to determine whether or not it should be considered “emerging church.” So often missional church and new monastic type books get lumped in – which may or may not be appropriate.
Here’s a short list of some I’ve appreciated, which I think fit the bill (and which aren’t the standard McLaren books – I like several of those also).
The Gospel according to Starbucks – Len Sweet
Church ReImagined – Doug Pagitt
An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches – Ray Anderson
The Younger Evangelicals – Robert Webber
How (Not) to Speak of God – Peter Rollins
And one I’m about to read…
The Fidelity of Betrayal – Peter Rollins
then there’s the list of missional books which I think are very helpful and informative for those who consider themselves in an “emerging context” but you didn’t really ask for those yet…
12/22/09 12:38 PM | Comment Link
Jonny McCormick said...
5Hey this sounds really interesting, perhaps you should think of setting up an online emerging church book club?…
My choices are:
The Gospel in a Pluralist Society – Newbigin
Emerging Churches – Gibbs and Bolger
Post-Christendom- – Murray
The McDonalization of the Church – Drane
12/22/09 2:38 PM | Comment Link
Esther said...
6Emerging Churches by Gibbs
The Shaping of Things to Come by Hirsch
The Forgotten Ways by Hirsch
Radical Hospitality by Homan and Pratt
I had ordered Planting Missional Churches awhile ago. Tried to get into but just could not. Lots of practical how to stuff – not sure it’s the best book out there for emerging stuff.
12/22/09 2:57 PM | Comment Link
Todd said...
7Thanks everyone! helpful stuff here so far!
12/22/09 3:03 PM | Comment Link
JR Rozko said...
8Todd, the big temptation here (and the way some of the suggestions seem to be going) is to do 1 of 2 things –
1) Read the most helpful “missiology of western culture” books (Newbigin, Frost, Hirsch, Murray, etc.).
2) Try to be balanced by including people on the “other side” (Belcher, Stetzer, DeYoung, etc.)
These would be great ways to go if you had more time and margin for reading, but if 4 books is the limit, and if the goal is understanding, I would really encourage you to stick to the authors trying to write within and for the EC.
In that vein, here’s my top 4.
1) Emerging Churches (Gibbs & Bolger)
2) Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism (Smith)
3) The New Christians (Jones)
4) The Story We Find Ourselves In (McLaren)
12/22/09 5:46 PM | Comment Link
gazza said...
9Duh … shouldn’t the Bible be on your list?
12/22/09 9:32 PM | Comment Link
Jonathan Brink said...
10I would suggest:
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell: This explores a great conversation about what it means to expand faith.
The New Christians by Tony Jones: This explores the specific philosophy of emergence.
Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren: This book explores the specific ways in which we believe across different sectors.
The Great Emergence by Phyllis Tickle: This books explores the specific history that led up to where we are now.
I did enjoy Bolger and Gibbs but thought it was more for pastors. Each of these is more personal.
Much love
Jonathan
12/28/09 11:55 AM | Comment Link
Andrew said...
11I have 200 books on the subject but I still think the most comprehensive and insightful info is to be found on blogs and not books
12/29/09 4:21 PM | Comment Link
Steve K. said...
12Todd, here are my suggestions:
“The New Christians” by Tony Jones
“The New Conspirators” by Tom Sine
“Signs of Emergence” by Kester Brewin
I haven’t read “Emerging Churches” by Gibbs and Bolger (yet), so I honestly can’t recommend it, and I’d listen to Jonathan’s advice that it may be geared more for pastors than lay people.
12/30/09 11:51 PM | Comment Link
curtis klope said...
13definitely A Generous Orthodoxy needs to be on this list
01/2/10 5:48 PM | Comment Link
josh said...
14Todd -
Just finished Deep Church by Jim Belcher. Great book for your purpose. He explores the positives and negatives of the traditional and emerging movements respectively, and does so with grace.
I don’t have four for you, but this would definitely be one!
01/13/10 8:26 PM | Comment Link
Josh Newton said...
15I suggest these four books:
1) A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren (This is a must read for any Emergent discussion)
2) Emergent Manifesto of Hope compiled by Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones (This one gives many different articles from Emergent leaders from almost any denomination you can think of)
3) Velvet Elvis or Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell
4) Either Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (for a take on Christianity from someone not educated in Theology).
01/21/10 6:04 PM | Comment Link