Engineering The Emergent Experience

In a classic case of the dialectic process, Leonard Sweet has declared, “ …the old model of church is killing the West," at a conference at Baylor University. Sweet continues to state, “in the midst of an ever-changing culture, and more specifically, postmodernism the church must become missional, relational and incarnational, rather than remain attractional, propositional and colonial.” In layman’s terms…the emergent way is in, the seeker-sensitive is out. Perhaps the seeker-sensitive way is the first step toward the emergent way, with the final destination for Rome ?

Sweet, a leading theologian of the emerging church also participated in The Voice Project. This was an eclectic collaboration of poets, writes and musicians retelling their version of the Bible. Fellow colleagues on the project include Brian McLaren and Erwin McManus.

Now, one music CD and two books later, The Voice Project announces their latest release, dubbed the "New Bible for the Postmodern Culture". The Voice website states “the Voice project comes at the point of impact where the modern church, with its tradition and stability collides with the developing church of the future”. Project leader Chris Seay states, "This is our effort to help work through these changes and to focus attention on God's word to us."

The 21st century emergent church service, with a customized, postmodern Bible would be incomplete without accompanying music. Perhaps Bono's Songs Replacing Hymnals in Churches would be an appropriate match for the fresh, creative and experiential religious service.

It will be interesting to see how the Voice Project “culturizes” the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 2…

1 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.