Abstract
D.Litt. et Phil.
Rethinking and reforming of the church in contemporary twenty-first century
culture, inter alia, the postmodern condition is currently a popular topic of
profound ecclesiological interest and generates mush church talk (Snyder,
Kimball, McLaren). The prominence of the 21st century emerging church’
growing influence and potential to influence the existing or traditional church
with conventional or orthodox practices can not be ignored (Carson,
Anderson, McKnight). Their innovative fresh expressions of church are
believed to be the pathfinder (Conder, 2006:14) that models the way through
the tumultuous transitional era characterized by unprecedented turbulence
due to major dramatic paradigmatic cultural shifts in which philosophical
frameworks of perceiving and understanding reality are challenged
significantly.
The church within this chaotic time in parenthesis experience significant
instability, uncertainty and inefficiency and blurred missional focus. The
urgency for theological and ecclesiological rethinking in search of functional
contemporary ecclesiologies is widespread. The rediscovery of the missio-
Dei in context of the Trinity is profound for a theocentric reconceptualization of
Christian mission (Bosch, 1994). The overarching telos is to effectively
contextualize the gospel in postmodern culture (Gibbs & Bolger, 2005). Some
improvised forms or fresh unorthodox ecclesiological expressions usher in
new paradigms. These are qualitatively different from orthodox, more
conventional or traditional concepts. Vigorous promotion under the Emergent
banner with Brian McLaren the most prolific and influential voice stirs
discomfort, concern, criticism and even resentment from traditional
theologians. Selective cafeteria Christianity is worse than literalism (D’Souza,
2007:xii) and therefore more prone to pragmatism.
While the emerging church aspires to chart a new vintage reformative course
for the church based on origins, the contention between the pro- and
antagonist in the dialogue is conspicuous. This study sensed the void, also
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identified by Hirsch (2006:271), to reflect critically but objectively on this vital
kairos conversation at a critical historic juncture particularly from a
Pentecostal theological perspective. This discourse attempts rethinking
Pentecostalism as embodied in the Assemblies of God in the light of the
emerging church, for the accomplishment of the Missio Dei because Jesus, in
The Vine and the Branches metaphor said, "apart from me you can do
nothing" (John 15:5).
The guiding question since Second Vatican Council is still, Ecclesia, quid
dicis de teipsa? (Church, what do you say of yourself?). The Christian
church must be prepared to renew, reform and adapt, no matter how difficult it
may be, especially in critical transitional times. It is however always
imperative to perfectly balance relevancy with faithfulness and truthfulness in
bearing effective witness. God’s intended purpose and origin of the Church of
Jesus Christ in the Missio Dei must guide us in any such endeavors! Our
prayer in restoring the missional emphasis of the Ekklesia must therefore
always be: Rege-quod-estdevium–Direct what is going astry!