Emerging Women

I have only just begun to explore the plethora of conversations taking place in the blogesphere; and while I have come across several interesting blogs, I am excited to have found a community of women who are willing to engage in discussion. This is my first post in this blog, and my attempt to, as Scot McKnight encouraged “spur something on”…

I struggle with the idea of belonging to a movement, or conversation if you will. Either way, it seems to me that identifying with a group many times forces one to become segregated from those outside the group; a significant dilemma for sure. While there are many emerging voices I highly respect, and while I strongly agree with much that the emerging church stands for and believes in, I have a hard time reconciling the creation of a “new” Christianity. Reform the old, yes. But is that what we are doing? I realize that a strong resistance to change exists, however, instead of breaking off should we not be working harder from the inside? I do see the enormous benefit to creating new and emerging churches; nevertheless I see it also as another split amongst Christians. Working from within already existing churches would definitely be difficult, but by creating new churches are we not allowing those who are resistant and ineffectively stuck in their old ways to remain that way? Breaking off to form our own churches leaves the traditional church unchallenged by our presence. Can we not apply some of our emerging theologies to our own conversation? How connected are we staying to non-emerging Christian communities? Prior to exploring the movement, this dilemma was my source of resistance to the emerging conversation. And although I have begun to really embrace the movement, I continue to struggle in reconciling these concerns. Any thoughts, ideas, solutions or disagreements?

I live in the desert. We don’t have earthquakes, or tornados. When it snows 1/4 inch every 10 years, and melts in 5 minutes, we get very excited! Our rainfall is minor. The last few years, we have really needed what little rain we get. During the summer months, our Monsoon season starts…somtimes! The last few days have been awesome! We have had some of the greatest storms come in, especially at night. Last night was one of the most powerful. I woke up to the loud crack of thunder oustside. It sounded as if it hi a tree in the neighborhood. I got up to check my kids (they hadn’t budged, amazingly). I threw my dog a chew stick to calm her. Now I just needed something to calm ME! The funny thing is there is such mixed emotions behind these storms. I absolutely love them, and sometimes hate how fast they blow through. On the other hand, they can get my heart racing and my blood pumping. I almost feel as if my heart will explode out of my chest! Well, sleep wasn’t going to happen again for awhile. My mind started running. It likes to do that sometimes! I thought of what it felt like to live in places with even more severe weather than this. Or, even what it must have felt like to live long ago, and not feel the protection I have. Then I thought of others in this world that experience the elemlents still today, without the protection I have. Then I shifted to the fear that arose from the loud booming and cracking outside. I thought to those in our world who are experiencing a different kind of storm. One of a different nature. The storms that have brewed for all time. How scary to live in the midst of those storms. Then the power of the storm reminded me of God. The Great and Powerful. The thought that this storm outside of my window, didn’t even put a dent in the Power of God. It’s funny how my thoughts circled. I realized that sometimes the storms in our lives are so overwhelming, powerful, scary and unsettling. There too can be an element of excitement, and anticipation for the changes that will come within the storm, but why is it hard to see or feel God in the storms of our lives sometimes? I know the storm’s power can’t compare to God’s power, but sometimes I forget or lose sight. Some storms of change are beginning in my life. I realize that they are very minor compared to many, but they are real to me. I know that many of the changes will be awesome, and wonderful, but it still leaves me feeling unsettled and overwhelmed. I am trying to stay focused on God through the storms. I know that all I need lies with God. I anticipate the end and hope that something better than I imaging is waiting. Do you have times where nature, storms etc. prompt deep thinking? What do you see about God in the elements you are surrounded by? Would love to hear your thoughts!

From an news AOL post this morning, it seems that there is going to be an ordination service in Pittsburg today, Monday July 31, 2006, in which a few Roman Catholic women are going to be ordained priests. Seems that such services have occurred in Europe and in ‘international waters’ in the last few years, but not on US soil. This will be a first. Anyone else know something about this?

Want to highly recommend this article printed in the online version of Christianity Today. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/130/12.0.html. (All the articles were very thoughtful and reflective concerning the Lebanon/Israel conflict. One could not but be moved by the perspective of many broken-hearted Lebanese Christians.) Maybe these articles will generate some conversation between us.

I’m excited about the confirmations coming in from people willing to host the conversations scheduled for the East Coast Gathering. I want to begin sharing them with you as they come in … Emphasizing our theme of everyone having a seat at the table of leadership, we are having two ‘large table’ panel discussions; Monday afternoon will feature a theological discussion of 5 or 6 of the bodacious women in the Gospels. Confirmed panel presenters are: Grace McLaren will present the Syro-phoenician woman (she will also share with us as a group, later in the afternoon, voices from women around the world, having recently returned from a world tour with her husband, Brian); Julie Clawson will present the Samaritan woman at the well; Dr. J. Lyle Story (New Testament theologian and Greek professor at Regent University) will present Mary and Elizabeth. Monday evening’s main table/panel conversation will feature 5 or 6 women of the O.T. The focus will be on bringing to life the voices of these O.T. women and their relevance to 21st century women’s issues. Confirmed panel presenters are: Dr. Estrelda Alexander (Systematic theology professor at Regent University and author of “The Women of Azuza Street”) will present Queen Vashti, Pastor Audrey Newell will present Tamar and I, Sherri Story, will present Delilah. This is just the beginning … more to come in a few days!

We’ve had a chance to get to know some of the women who read this blog. I would like to know from whoever – why are you part of the emerging church conversation? What brought you to the conversation? What value do you see in it? What are you hoping to get out of it? (mercenary questions, I know). What do you want to bring to it? I would love to hear your reasons and about your journeys.

Blessings and Shalom
Julie

Registration is now open for Emerging Women’s Voices – An East Coast Gathering 2006. We are meeting October 1-3 in Virginia Beach, Virginia at the Sandcastle Oceanfront Resort. The goal of this gathering is to facilitate discussions that are directly related to women, encouraging them to boldly emerge as leaders in this 21st Century. The conversations are inclusive of diversity of leadership styles and opportunities. The facilitated sessions will enable all women to have a voice at the table to dialogue, to learn and to advance our journeys of Christian spiritual formation.

Click here for more information or to register.

Even if you can’t attend, could everyone please spread the word about this gathering! Email friends, churches, denominations, cohorts – any women you know who are interested in the emerging church conversation. This is our advertising – a grassroots connections network that will spread the news.