Open Letter to my Emerging Church Friends

Dear Friends,

First of all, How is it with your soul? You do not need to answer right away. We can be in silence for awhile until you can honestly answer.

I want you to know that you are in my prayers. I’m glad you are enjoying the thrill and the excitement of all the attention you are getting. I happy for all the people you are connecting with. I know you are touching many lives, what a blessing! That is not to say anything about your travels, huff,! you surely have learned to pack for all weathers and all occasions. Time is precious and I can tell you are making the most of it. Between your church, your writing, your traveling and your networking you must be pretty busy.

To be honest with you that busyness have me a little concern. How are you doing? I know you are ready to tell me about the latest ministry in your church, or the upcoming conference, or the most recent meeting of like minded emerging people- but I want to know about you. Do you have time for community? I know how important that word is for you. We speak of it in our video chatting, our skype conversation, when we go out for coffee and when we grab a beer - but do you have time for it? I know it requires to slow down, and you are too busy evangelizing others into the fresh expression of church, but I think it is important for you to consider taking the time. I mean talking is ok, doing is better, but being is best. Being a person of community and in community is important.

How is your prayer life? I know, you do not like that term, it is so evangelical, forgive me. Still, how is your rhythm of prayer? I know you are quite versed on the language of prayer, but do you have actual time for it? I know we’ve talked about rhythms of life that include time for prayer, but by the speed you move and by your schedule, it seems like you practice more the evangelical mantra of pray at all times, as a way to excused not honoring the times and rhythms of the day. I hope your time of solitude and contemplation are more than the 5 minutes all together at your church service, still I’ve seen you, while the people are in silence to pray, you are always doing something else in order to make the production run smooth. Know that I’m praying with you. I’m not so proud of my rhythm of prayer either.

So how many ministries have your started this year? How many of you are there? You remind me of the movie Multiplicity - you seem to be everywhere, or at least as we say in Puerto Rico, you have a spoon in every pot. I remember listening to you speaking about organic growth - have you actually done some organic farming or gardening.? It take a lot of work, plans and patience. You just don’t throw seeds everywhere and hope they grow and give good fruit. But it seems to me that you are doing exactly that with your different ministries and involvements. Do you have someone to talk things thru? Someone outside your circle who can help you discern and see things from another perspective? Someone like a Spiritual Director. Because you are interested in spiritual formation rather than in just mere christian education, I’m sure you would welcome the idea of spiritual direction. I mean you have to admit that even you will need re-focus once in awhile. I would suggest that you slow down your ministries a bit. Remember we are talking about people here, not just numbers or a good portfolio. I know how tempting it is to write about all your church activities in your blog, but write about people you are getting to know, share stories, let us know how you really are. I must admit, sometimes I wish you would share more of yourself with me and others.

Oh well, this is getting way too long and I tend to get sentimental when I write long letter to people I care about, so I better stop. But just one more thing, remember to listen. Sometimes you talk too much and I wonder if you are actually listening to what I am saying or just waiting for your turn to talk again. I’m sorry if again I’m not emerging enough for you. But I know You’ll be happy to know I’m writing this on a Mac, I know how you love your Mac stuff. I think there still hope for me.

Let’s not wait this long to get connected again.

Peace,

Eliacin