Deeper, and deeper in dialogue

I've started reading about the phenomenon of Deep Church in the UK which is proposing itself as a dialogue partner to Emergent church. Just what is deep church? Professor Andrew Walker seems to the lead figure editing Remembering our future - explorations in Deep Church. He writes:-

“Deep church is far more than an ecumenical dream of coming together across the barriers of ignorance and prejudice: it is predicated upon the central tenets of the gospel held in common by those who have the temerity to be “Mere Christians.” This commonality in the light of post-Enlightenment modernism is greater and more fundamental than the divisions and schisms of church history… Deep Church, as its name implies, is spiritual reality down in the depths - the foundations and structures of the Faith - which feed, sustain and equips us to be disciples of Christ.”

In these early days of investigation of Deep Church Robert E Webber jumps to my mind and in particular Ancient-Future Faith. The tension between the past and the future is fully realized in the present. John Stott for decades has talked about double listening both to the Bible and to culture. My intellectual home is very much LICC and it was founded to do this double listening. You may care to visit them through the panel places to visit.

I am struck by J R Woodward at Deep Church who writes about issues surrounding having the gospel be relevant in a particular place and time and yet remain faithful.

One of the ways to engage in the art of bilingual theological reflection [aka double listening] and thereby better construct a local theology would be to have the local congregation consider four primary questions:

1. If God’s reign were to be fully realized in our neighborhood, what would be different?
2. What are the kinds of idols in our neighborhood that need to be unmasked?
3. What aspects of Christ’s rule do people in our neighborhood need to experience or see?
4. What narratives, practices, convictions and institutions might challenge these idols and more faithfully express the kingdom of God?

Thoughtfully asking these questions would provide the local congregation with much understanding in how to construct a practical theology that is faithful to the good news of Christ in their location.

O that local faith communities were seriously willing to do discuss this, and I think especially focus on the fourth question. Discernment is not simply naming spirits or recognizing the hand of God rather it necessarily leads to judgments, decisions, and actions. I believe Soren Kirkegaarde used to speak having a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Yet another double listening.

Kirkegaarde, I believe, also told a powerful story called, "The Domestic Goose." A flock of geese are spending their summer in a farmer's yard up north. They are very happy here. There's plenty to eat, and every week they gather to hear the preacher goose tell them about the wonderful trip they will soon make. They will eventually fly above the earth and soar high into the heavens, and will come to a warm and wonderful place. But they like this place in the farmer's yard so much, and they enjoy so much hearing the preacher goose, that they stay too long. December comes. The farmer kills them and they get eaten for Christmas dinner!

Many local churches are like the geese, and instead of a good preacher they need a good dialogue partner like Emergent church. However Emergent church also needs a good dialogue partner to make sure the whole group don't fly north for the winter! Just think about it!