Men Transforming Men Australia

 

In this webcast, November 2008, Richard offers a wide view of what is being called the Emerging Church. There are many definitions for this phenomenon, but Richard gives us four main categories that indicate something new and hopeful is happening in many denominations:

1. In recent years there is honest, broad, ecumenical Jesus scholarship that is finding a strong consensus emerging about what the Gospel is really about;

2. There is evidence of advancement in human consciousness, an emerging contemplative, non-dualistic mind, that allows the whole field of reality to teach us;

3. The major concerns of Jesus are a lot different than the concerns emphasized by today’s churches. How did we get this far from Jesus? What is emerging is a more humble approach to this question, not in an angry, adversarial way; rather in a hopeful, prayerful way. Not kicking out tradition. This is very different from any previous reformations;

4. What seems to be slowly emerging is a new community way of doing this, through other complimentary structures. However, this does not mean creating new denominations. We don’t need more denominations .This appears to be a new notion on how to reform things.

Fr. Richard then delves into each of these four areas to examine more closely what he has observed happening in many parts of the world. He definitely sees the fruits of the Holy Spirit at work in the broad field of what is being called “The Emerging Church.” This talk is a clear and very helpful introduction to this dynamic new phenomenon.

Approximate length: 1 hour & 20 minutes