The November 2004 cover story of Christianity Today, titled “The Emergent Mystique,” profiles the movement. Canadian-born theologian Don Carson’s latest book Becoming Conversant with Emergent is slated for release next February. Books, websites and conferences dedicated to the emerging church are everywhere. A Canadian website called Resonate (www.resonate.ca) is dedicated to “trying to navigate a changing culture and trying to figure out how to follow Jesus Christ in it.”

What is the emerging church? That’s harder to answer than you might think. No spokesperson speaks for the movement; some dispute that it’s a movement at all. Many within the movement resist labels and definitions. Resonate prefers to use the term “conversation.” Brian McLaren, “the de facto spiritual leader of the merging church” according to Christianity Today, states, “We don’t have a program. We don’t have a model. I think we must begin as a conversation, then grow as a friendship, and see if a movement comes out of it.”

At the heart of the emerging church is a reexamination or deconstruction of the assumptions of modern Christianity. The emerging church asks if we are practicing and understanding authentic Christianity, or if we have baptized rationalism and the enlightenment and created a pragmatic version of Christianity.

Critics of the emerging church allege that it is overly tolerant, weak on theology, dismissive of absolute truth, anti-hierarchical and trendy. They call it predominantly white, rich and more about style than substance. The emerging church makes for an easy target.

It would be easy to dismiss the movement. It’s threatening and sometimes reactionary. Because the movement is so broad, it’s not hard to find some shaky theology. At times, the emerging church seems to be repeating many of the mistakes it’s trying to avoid. Many of the characteristics of the emerging church aren’t even new, but can be found within the history of the church.

Despite its faults, I believe there’s still something at the core of the emerging church that’s worth embracing. Here’s what I appreciate.

First, I’m grateful for the rediscovery of the ancient practices and beliefs of the church. For a Baptist like me, it’s refreshing to experience the richness and depth of the liturgy and some of the ancient writings of the church. The emerging church emphasizes the past, and suggests that we can learn from the pre-modern world as we move into what some call a postmodern one. You don’t have to be emerging to appreciate vintage Christianity, but I appreciate this emphasis.

Second, I agree that a new world is emerging around us, calling for a different response from the church. We have moved from a Judeo-Christian world to a post-Christian one. Communication styles have changed from written to oral, visual and interactive. The emerging church asks us to respond to these changes, which seems reasonable and necessary. How do we follow Christ and make disciples in a world that has radically changed?

Third, I like being asked to rethink both methods and theology. Our practices of leadership, preaching, spiritual formation, evangelism and worship services deserve to be examined. The emerging church challenges us to evaluate these practices, and to ask if they could be more faithful and effective.

The emerging church is critical of the consumerism, individualism and pragmatism found in parts of the modern church. The Reformation conviction semper reforma (Latin for “always reforming”) is at the heart of the emerging church.

Evaluating our theology is more threatening, but also necessary. The emerging church asks us to revisit our theology of the church, mission and the gospel. Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan, states, “People don’t get it. They think it’s about style. But the real question is: What is the gospel?” There are few more important questions.

Finally, I appreciate the emerging church’s emphasis on being missional. As a pastor, I’ve felt the tug toward running church programs and functioning as the CEO of a church. The emerging church re-emphasizes the priority of evangelism and asks us to develop a theology and practice of mission that moves beyond church growth and management.

The emerging church is a mixed bag. As the movement starts to attract more attention and criticism, I hope that others within the traditional church will not write it off too quickly. Are you emerging? It really doesn’t matter. What matters is this: that we let the emerging conversation continue.

Darryl Dash is the senior pastor of Richview Baptist Church in Etobicoke, Ontario.