I just started reading Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. Kevin DeYoung, a 30-year-old pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, MI, says that he often becomes frustrated with the emergent church “we’re just in conversation” mantra that can be a crutch that is used to make these emergent leaders “easy to listen to, but impossible to pin down.” He writes:
It’s one thing for a high school student to be in process with his theology. It’s another thing for adults to write books and speak around the world about their musings and misgivings. I agree there must be space for Christians to ask hard questions and explore tensions in our faith, but I seriously question that this space should be hugely public where hundreds of thousands of men and women are eagerly awaiting the next book or blog or podcast arising from your faith journey. No matter what label you put on it, once you start selling thousands of books, speaking all over the country and world, and being looked to for spiritual and ecclesiastical direction, you’re no longer just a conversation partner. You are a leader and teacher. And this is serious business, for as James says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness,” (3:1).
What do you think? A fair critique?
