May 2007 Update

Greetings Everyone,

To date, we have had several responses through both the e-mail link and the blog. There have been some blog postings that had personal contact information, and in an effort to minimize spam, etc., I choose not to post them on the blog. If you wish for any contact information to be included when you post to the blog, please indicate so in the post; otherwise, use the e-mail link at the bottom of the home page for inquiry.

Due to the storm that passed through my area at the same time I was to travel to the Philadelphia conference, I opted not to attend. I've already had the "pleasure" of driving one car through a flooded area and decided to learn from that experience. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I opted for sanity and as my father said, that is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. I have updated the suggestions list with some ideas from other contributors and hope to organize a cohort meeting the month of May.

In the meantime, chapter 1 of McLaren's book, A Generous Orthodoxy, talks about the different faces of Jesus he has come to know along his journey. I know from my personal experience, I have had similar perceptions at differing points in my life. While none are contradictory, how do we recognize and represent the fullness of the many aspects of Christ in our daily lives? How do we reconcile ourselves with some of the contradictions between head religion and heart religion in a manner consistent with our differing orthodox belief systems and the message of Christ? What is the message of Christ? The saying "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words," was attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. How do we "preach" the gospel and whose version of the gospel is any "more correct" then another persons? McLaren poses a series of nine questions on the many faces of Christ, perhaps this is a good starting point for our dialogue.

Anyway, peace to all and I look forward to establishing our first meeting.
Brett

April 2007 Update

Greetings everyone. Thanks to all from across the state for quickly coming together to start the process in Virginia. To date, "P. Scott" has set up a state blog at "Emergent Virginia (http://www.emergentva.blogspot.com/)" as well as one for the central region. To my knowledge, cohorts for the southwestern and northern parts of the state are in process of formation as well.

Also, currently, this blog is setup as a moderated forum to review, not edit, posts prior to their publication on the site. I set this up with the intent to help promote integrity. When we meet, we can come together on the finer points of organization and posting. With moderated comments, all that means is that an e-mail is sent to the administrators who must release the comment for publication on the blog. Again, this is not an editing function, merely a posting function.

One more point, I noticed on the cohort map, that there was an address listed for the SE Cohort that I do not know where it came from as no meeting place has been suggested or selected. I have e-mailed the cohort point of contact to obtain more information.

I plan on attending the 2007 Emergent Theological Conversation near Philadelphia this next week from the 16-18th and hope to post some insightful information to the blog upon my return. I look forward to meeting with some of you there. Perhaps we can arrange for a local meeting for the SE Cohort after the "conversation".

Peace and grace,
Brett

Welcome

This blog is dedicated to the discussion, fellowship, and support of the emerging church. It stands by the principles and practices of Emergent Village:

"Emergent Village is a growing, generative friendship among missional Christians seeking to love our world in the Spirit of Jesus Christ (http://www.emergentvillage.com, accessed 9 April 2007)."

This blog is in the process of formation and was initially created on 9 April 2007. Please check back for updates and announcements as I am in the process of developing this site.

Regards,
Brett H. Cook