Just Curious

Emerging Church

I recently talked to several Friends about a possible Quaker renewal in the various Philadelphian congregations. Such a renewal, in my opinion, is necessary since that germ of Quietism, which once infected the Society in 18th century, has found her way into Quaker Meetings again. This lack of evangelical zeal, coupled with religious and moral relativism, and a lack of specialized ministry, may eventually led to a de-Christianization and even destruction of liberal unprogrammed Friend Meetings (as opposed to the orthodoxly Christian programmed and evangelical Friends).

The challenge devoted Friends have to face today is severer than the problems our forebears had, since 18th century Meetings were in general tightly organized around recorded ministers (unsalaried), elders and overseers, who were seasoned, weighty and learned in God's Word. This is no longer the case, since the institutions of elders and recorded ministers were discontinued since early 20th century, and contemporary overseers usually do not do much to provide spiritual counsel for their congregants.

One of the friends I talked to, Martin Kelley, mentioned to me the existence of diverse "emerging church" groups, whose spiritual odyssey is not unlike that of the 17th century Seekers. The introduction to these people of Quakerism, or "primitive Christianity revived," is a good way to both revitalize Friends Meetings and to bring hope to these souls that are despaired by traditional Christian religion that is highly paternalistic and modernistic.

Some other friends, Tim Siftar and Kareem Brantley, organizers of Friends Institute, are also happy to discuss with me the current state of affairs. It was promised, when two or three gather in the name of Christ, He would be in their midst. I am optimistic.

posted by James Chang @ 11:36 PM