Throwing this out there for discussion and comment. Here is the “definition” of the emerging church section I wrote in my dissertation proposal.

Gibbs and Bolger defined emerging churches succintly:

Emerging churches are communities that practice the way of Jesus within postmodern cultures … 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. (p. 44)

In addition to Gibbs and Bolger’s definition, there are characteristics that define the movement of these churches:

• Christian: While it is possible that “emerging” religious movements exist within other religions, this researcher is not aware of any such widespread movements.
• Cross-denominational – emerging church practitioners exist among numerous Christian denominations, from Southern Baptist to Churches of Christ.
• Dual-membership: While this study focuses on the “emerging church” as a phenomenon of online community, it also exists in individual churches around the world. It is possible for a person to be a member of the emerging church movement without participating in the Internet conversation about the movement.

The emerging church movement may also be distinguished by what it is not. Other contemporary expressions of church like the Vineyard Churches or Calvary Chapel churches are not emerging. Fundamentalist churches, “seeker-sensitive” churches, or “purpose-driven” churches are also distinguished from the emerging chuch movement.

Thoughts? Additions that should be made? Has the “emerging church” morphed into something else since I wrote this?

Well, I’m excited to have pulled together a group of people to serve on my dissertation committee.  I had the committee gathered when I started the research three years ago, but two of the members (including the committee chair) moved away from the University of South Carolina, so I had to reconstitute the committee.

Now, here they are:

Erik Collins, Professor at South Carolina – committee chair

Daniel Stout, Professor at UNLV – outside member

Kenneth Campbell – Professor at South Carolina – committee member

Augie Grant – Professor at South Carolina – committee member.

I have had classes with Collins (masters level law and research classes), Campbell (history seminar) and Grant (doctoral theory seminar). Dr. Stout was my committee chair before he accepted the position at UNLV two years ago.