the    sides

I finally finished Steve Taylor’s book The Out of Bounds Church? (book blog site) on the emergent church.

If you are a veteran of the emergent waters - you can probably skip it. If you are new and have questions but want a conversational, peaceable intro in the matter - this is your book. Steve is as humble a writer as he is knowledgable - which is saying something.

His handling of Peter’s letters and using the tour guide and DJ metaphor as clarifying roles for the pastor are very helpful.

My highlight of the book are mostly found in Postcard 8: Culture Samplers. Here are Steve’s “mandates:”

1. It is unbiblical to be removed from our culture or to ignore the way our culture communicates.
2. It is also unbiblical to be the same as culture.
3. Culture is fragmented and all we will ever have is a limited piece of the puzzle.
4. Culture is not about elitism but everyday life.
5. Learning to communicate to culture is a skill that requires practice.
6. Authenticity is arguably the most important value.

For most of the readers of this blog, there really isn’t anything new the book uncovers. However, what is great about the book is that it gives you a glimpse into the “why” of the emergent movement - figuring out ways to re-tell the great story of Jesus.