Cobus emailed me this week asking, "What would you consider to be the emerging congregations in South Africa?" Now THAT'S a good question. So he followed it up with another: "Where can I find some info on them?" My reply to him was lengthy but it was valuable thinking this through. What is clear is that we need some research to be done in a South African context to identify what emergence is happening and how it differs from the rest of the world.

Technorati Tags: Emergent, emerging church, South Africa

What would you consider to be the emerging congregations in South Africa? Ja, this is a toughee, given that we have quite diverse cultures and quite diverse worldviews...AND the fact that we South Africans seem to uncritically adopt what Christians elsewhere in the world are doing (so Rhema is now doing a conference called "The Emerging Church" which has nothing to do with the emerging conversation and may, at worst, be a modern mega-church hijacking of a trendy term). I don't know what the "definition" would be. It's easier elsewhere in the world since like-minded people just find each other online...not so much in SA. We have people here who range from pre-modern, to modern to post-modern - although the traditional Christian church (Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, United etc) is mostly modern in its approach and mindset. At least, I don't know of any large structure South African churches which exhibit postmodern approaches to ecclesiology, Scripture and leadership.

The emerging conversation worldwide has a few hallmarks: - it's post-denominational and post-tradition: the unifying theme is mission - it is not a theological movement in that it's not trying to come up with an innovative doctrinal statement. It is a conversation about theology, with all kinds of theologies represented, with a core adhering to the classical creeds in a new key (spot the Scot McKnight influence). - the centre of the conversation is about missional ecclesiology

I would like to think that emerging congregations in South Africa: - have a strong element of justice (being involved in some element of public life, whether it be fighting crime or bringing peace, or helping with homeless in their area) - have a strong focus on mercy (specifically HIV/AIDS) - engage the culture around them (instead of retreating from it) as missionaries sent from the host culture - realise the Kingdom of God is here and now - lives as a reconciled multicultural community - allow elements of themselves to experiment with ecclesiological reconfigurations. In other words, some emerging church in SA will start spontaneously, and others will emerging from an existing church, either with their blessing or as a split (and hopefully we can encourage the first).

I don't know of any research which can back this up - this is my gut feel. Bert Watson (whom I work with at Change Agents - www.changeagents.co.za - training youth leaders: the theme this year is "Think new act new" so it's really similar to your blog!) has contacted Eddie Gibbs (who was a past lecturer of his) and Ryan Bolger to ask them for any stats from an African context.

Here are the communities I know of that would be familiar with the language of the emerging conversation and would probably describe themselves as part of the emerging movement: Kleipotgemeente House Church SA Nieu Communities

I'm finding it more common that people with emerging mindsets are working within traditional church structures, which is perhaps why we're not seeing a more noticeable "emergence" of churches focussed on missional ecclesiology.

I'm sure you're also familiar with the Gibbs/Bolger research (which was UK/US specific). They've subtitled their "Emerging Churches" book "creating Christian community in postmodern cultures":

Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures. This definition encompasses the nine practices. Emerging churches (1) identify with the life of Jesus, (2) transform the secular realm, and (3) live highly communal lives.

Because of these three activities, they (4) welcome the stranger, (5) serve with generosity, (6) participate as producers, (7) create as created beings, (8) lead as a body, and (9) take part in spiritual activities.

Where can I find some info on them? EmergentAfrica.com is a hang-out point for some of these people, as will be the Brian McLaren stuff in May (see www.TheSecretMessageOfJesus.co.za). I don't know of anything else right now but I have a sense that many people are doing emerging stuff locally but don't know they are. Last year when Tony Jones was here we had a gather of 20 such people from all over the country and a lot of them said, "I only heard of the emerging conversation last week but I realised this is where I am at."

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