I’ve been excited by recent conversations with friends and colleagues about how we see Spirit moving powerfully throughout The United Church of Canada these days. (Pentecost seemed to come early this year!) In her book The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why, Phyllis Tickle suggests that the best way to describe “the emerging church” is with the word “conversation.”

Depending on how far the church wants to emerge, we might find another valuable guide in Ken Wilber to add to the traditional list (Borg, Spong, etc.). Below is a brief intro to his work.

One of the most attractive things about the character of Jesus for me was his ability to move through social boundaries like class. That to me is a good sign of a love that is not ordinary and a faith that is not conventional. 

Often when I listen carefully to points of view within the church that are called "emerging" or "progressive,"  my impression is that they are missing something that is vital. This is obvious if you've read my posts here or my blog, to the point that some might wonder if I'll ever stop kvetching about it. Maybe, someday, but that day has not yet come, because I just came across a beautiful quote in a book that I'm reading by E. F. Scott that speaks to the concern that I feel about that "something missing" in how we at times approach development.

“Christianity for the Rest of Us” by Diana Butler-Bass

Having immersed myself in the literature of emerging, I now feel better about my place in the Christian Church, specificially the United Church. Although I grew up with the traditional beliefs, I gradually realized, now at the age of 63 that I choose not to believe in the supernatural aspects of our "faith" - that Jesus was the "son of God" who, after his crucifixion, rose from the dead, appeared to the faithful and ascended into heaven..etc.

I know what the Spirit is but is the Emerging Spirit a specific new program or something?

thanks