Emerging Churches in Post-Christian Canada

Abstract

Abstract:The traditional mainline and evangelical churches in Canada, as in most western countries, are either in decline or static. Taken as a measure of the future, the prospects for Christianity in Canada, and more broadly the West, are bleak. Post-Christian Canada, however, contains thriving alternative and innovative forms of church, often called ‗emerging' churches. They take many forms of expression, but share common theological convictions. Based on site research and personal interviews, this article describes the various types and contexts of these churches in Canada. It then highlights three of their central theological characteristics. First, rejecting the ‗culture wars' social involvement of Christendom churches, they embrace practices and initiatives that transform their local communities. Second, they embrace an incarnational and contextual understanding of Christian life and ministry. Eschewing mega-church franchise models, they endeavor to shape their ministry to the their local communities. Third, they adopt a comprehensive rather than compartmental spirituality.

Shifting the sacred: Rob Bell and the postconservative evangelical turn

“…There are problems, however, with using the concept of the Emerging Church. First, some argue that the label has already outlived its usefulness and few communities continue to identify with it (Bielo, 2011: 203; Marti and Ganiel, 2014: 9; Rathel, 2014: 17; Studebaker and Beach, 2012: 863). Second, the Emerging Church is too diverse and difficult to define to constitute an actual religious movement (Marti and Ganiel, 2014: 5; Rathel, 2014: 5).…”

Handbook of Megachurches

“…tmh's celebrated pastor is Bruxy Cavey, who looks more like an overweight hippie rock star than the stereotypical evangelical preacher, complete with long hair, earrings, thumb rings, a T-shirt and jeans. His charismatic authority can be described as ironically evangelical, in the spirit of what has been called the Emerging Church movement (see Bielo 2011;and Ganiel 2014;Studebaker and Beach 2012). The tmh slogan is "a church for people not into church" and the tattoo on Cavey's forearm reads "Leviticus 19:28", a Bible verse which reads, "Do not….…”