The document discusses the emergence of postmodern and emergent church thought and practices. It notes how postmodern thinkers rejected modern notions of objective truth and universal narratives in favor of contextual and localized understandings. It describes key postmodern philosophers and their ideas, such as Derrida's view that everything needs interpretation. It then explains how emergent church thinkers applied postmodern insights by viewing the Bible from multiple perspectives and emphasizing community discernment over authoritative interpretations. Finally, it lists some common values of emergent worship communities, such as participatory and multisensory liturgies that create space for diverse spiritual practices and expressions.

1. Emergent Church

2. “ The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.” - Galadriel

3. “ The world for which we have been carefully prepared has been taken away by the grace of God.” - Walter Brueggemann

4. colonialization mechanistic worldview over-rationalization objective reality universal truth cultural hierarchies neat boxes institutionalization ultimate viewpoint lucidity Modernity exclusiveness disambiguation

5. “ We must begin all over again with a new inner orientation…” – Karl Barth

6. P o s t m o d e r n i t y

7. “ There is nothing outside of text.” – Jacques Derrida everything is “text” everything needs to be interpreted realities are brought forth in language interpret the world through language world is a text requiring interpretation “ There is nothing outside of context.” – Jacques Derrida Imposition of one interpretation as the interpretation is imperial and colonial Narratives carry the meanings of language

8. “ incredulity toward metanarratives” – Francois Lyotard suspicion of grand narratives question underlying assumptions mentanarratives mask particularity, claim universality acknowledgement of the tyranny of dominant perspectives “ decentering Europe” – Cornell West decentering androcentrism & anthropocentrism appreciation for context attention to micronarratives  actual stories  particularity

9. “ power is knowledge” – Michael Foucault what counts as knowledge is constituted within networks of power power produces the accepted “knowledge” “ truth” is a function of power one perspective claims to be objective or universal some knowledge is marginalized because of oppression importance of Trinity UCC and Cathedral of Hope they speak other truths with power there are other knowleges and truths to be learned “ insurrection of subjugated knowledges” – Michael Foucault

11. Bible is a member of the community Bible offers perspectives to the community Bible is a library of perspectives Bible is a postmodern book Bible can be reclaimed Bible is propaganda Biblical propaganda has a point and a purpose Bible is not objective Bible is trying to convince and persuade people Bible + Spirit + community = “Word” Hermeneutic of Humility Hermeneutic of Community Hermeneutic of Suspicion

12. Tony Jones Dan Kimball Doug Pagitt Brian McLaren dankimball.typepad.com dougpagitt.com brianmclaren.net tonyj.net Emergent Church 1997-2001

14. Karen Ward Heather Kirk-Davidoff Anthony Bradley Claude Nikondeha amahoro-africa.org postmodernegro.com submerge.typepad.com kcchurch.typepad.com Emergent Church 2001-2008

17. Common values and themes in Emergent Worship 1 participatory 2 organic 3 sacredness/spiritual 4 multisensory 5 freedom of movement 6 multiple focal points 7 diversity of liturgies and spiritual disciplines 8 emphasis on prayer 9 centrality of Communion 10 centrality of Jesus/Kin-dom

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