A great discussion has been launched by @KaitlynSchiess on the issue of what constitutes leaving Evangelicalism - the sociological & theological, as well as the relational, personal, and traditional issues involved. This has me thinking again about identity of this emerging tribe
It's one thing to say who we aren't and point to what we've left, but that's not going to identify who we are and where we're going. "Evangelical" has its roots in the Evangel - the message - and was an honorable term until it was hijacked by its old nemesis fundamentalism and...
...kidnapped by politics. Now its a sullied term that is of little use except perhaps to those who actually prefer the new reality. IF you think new language is needed, what would you propose as a term describing the (older) evangelical (non-fundamentalist/non-trapped by party)..
.. that takes up the Big Tent group that holds to all that was traditionally evangelical (conversion, authority of Scripture, atonement, social engagement for common good, etc). As the old term was rooted in the message perhaps the new can rooted in the mission. "Missional" is...
...not a new word but it might be a more useful word to describe the multi-denominational regathering of the evangelical diaspora that won't stand for the captivity of the Gospel to the political agendas, Christian Nationalism, Abuse-enabling, & misogyny. Positively...
the Missionals will continue to be informed by what was always the core of the old Evangelicalism, but with its emphasis on the preservation of truth, also show a new posture of heart in the proclamation of the message: humble service, visible unity, & tangible love. One last..
...note might be a wide embrace of new structures of how church is done, especially in terms of church planting, so that more can be accomplished together in coalitions that serve to resource pioneers in various new contexts without worrying about denominational labels. Much of..
...this is already underway of course. But a 'new name' would be helpful to distinguish the movement from the now discredited terminology that simply cannot escape its political and moral pollution. "Missional" - OK. Others???
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