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Emergent in the Twin Cities

Written by Mark Van Steenwyk : November 22, 2004

David Opderbeck (who I just added to my blogroll) asked me why the Twin Cities seems to be actively involved in the emergent/missional dialogue.  I think we have much more influence than our population would warrant.  Here are my thoughts about why we are such fertile soil for missional/emergent discussion:

  1. We have a high number of academic institutions for our relatively small metropolitan  area.  The academic flavor spills over into how we “do” church.

  2. Bethel and Luther Seminaries are both factors. Bethel has some contribution to the emergent side of things (Erwin McManus is a adjunct with Bethel). Luther contributes to the missional side of things (Craig Van Gelder is a part of the Gospel and Our Culture Network and is a professor at Luther).
  3. We have the highest per-capita number of mega churches in the country.  I think that as people get disillusioned with this, they move towards alternative forms.  Since we have more mega-churches to disillusion us, it seems logical that we?d have more emergent churches born out of that disillusionment.
  4. We are a “blue” state.  Our urban areas are very progressive, but with the backdrop of Midwestern cultural values.  This means that we?ll value church, but we?ll do it in a progressive way.  Traditionally, that has meant a high number of liberal mainline churches, however, many are opting for emergent ways of doing church.
  5. Doug Paggitt was a pioneer in the emergent movement, and he happens to be a loca boy.  Besides Solomon’s Porch, we have had very early examples of emergent churches, like Spirit Garage and House of Mercy.

These are just a few speculations.  Anyone care to add and/or challenge this list?

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Comments

3 Responses to “Emergent in the Twin Cities”

  1. Chris B. on November 22nd, 2004 1:02 pm

    I would add what could be taken as a somewhat negative reason: we have lots of white people. We still have one of the highest majority populations of white people in the country, and the emergent movement has been a largely white movement, although of course I know there are noteable exceptions.

  2. blorge on November 23rd, 2004 1:13 pm

    I think that the ethos of the Twin Cities is liberal and geared towards social justice. Emergent churches are concerned with social justice, therefore we have a lot of emergent churches around here.

    To respond to Chris’ whities statement, there is also a growing missional church movement around here, even including some of the ‘mega’ churches such as Park Ave Methodist and Bethlehem Baptist, who are both fairly diverse. Mega churches such as Woodland Hills (Greg Boyd) and Bethlehem Baptist (John Piper) are both trying to embrace ecclesial multiculturalism. Chris may think that they may have a ways to go in some respects, but at least they’re trying.

  3. Chris B. on November 23rd, 2004 4:05 pm

    Notable exceptions.

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