From the Pastor's Desk
The Emerging Church
Much is made today of an emerging church tradition. This observation has been made by those who have followed the steady decline of traditional mainline Protestant denominations, Those who have studied an emerging church tradition suggest that there is life within mainline denominations; we just have to look hard to find out where it is. This emerging reality is characterized by the withering away of many aspects of the tradition we are familiar (and comfortable) with and is, in turn, being replaced by a more vital form of Christianity which is emerging from the ashes of the former tradition. Wow, that's quite a paragraph I've just written. Take a moment to digest it before we proceed.
My opinion (and on this point there are actually persons who agree with me!!) is that this emerging tradition and the emerging practices of liturgy and mission and evangelism are really a move backward in time, not so much a move forward into new territory. What do I mean? I think Christians forging an emerging tradition today are working to recapture the elegance, the simplicity, and the essence of a faith tradition which has become overly burdened by encumbrances (church hierarchies, budgets, old liturgy, committee meetings) which stifle and suffocate the spiritual and faith needs of many who would confess Christ as the transforming power within their lives. In fact, my image of the emerging tradition is that of the first Pentecost as detailed for us in Acts 2. Two central questions emerged for the very first Christians on this occasion. "What does this mean?" they asked in response to what was happening and "What, then, shall we do?". They were just trying to figure out what the whole emerging "Christ thing" was all about. And it was emerging for them then, just as it is for us today. That is precisely, I think, where we are today as we work to reform our churches that they might emerge and return as places of worship and mission where we grow and develop in Christ, guided by the power of God's Holy Spirit. This is what I believe. This, I also believe, is where we are at Zion; emerging into a church God has called upon us to become. In Christ, Pastor Pete
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to serve your church! I am born and raised in Delaware, and actually grew up on Franklin St. many years ago. My husband, Archie and I have been married for 37 years and have three grown children and four amazing grandchildren. My background is in marketing. I worked as a realtor with Century 21 for 16 years, owned Apple Tree Cottage Tea Room for 8 years and most recently was Assistant Director and Program Manager for Common Ground Free Store. I thank you for this opportunity and ask that you all pray for me as I learn the "ropes" and get to know each and every one of you!