Podcast: What the Emergent Church and Friends could teach one another

Hey Martin, I did it! I listened to your podcast. I've been meaning to for weeks now, and finally time and opportunity and technology all came together.

Anyway, as you might guess, I pretty much agree with you. One of the things I appreciate about the emerging church folks I know is that they offer alternative approaches to being Christian without being defensive about it. Or maybe they're just defensive about different things than Christian Friends, so I don't notice it. And the emergent folks are largely engaged in how to be followers of Jesus here and now, not as concerned about how things were in the 17th century as most of the Christian Friends I know.

I think the real challenge is how can those of us still connected to real Meetings (not just online groups) can live out the Quaker/Gospel messages more fully (Christ is come, good news for the poor, etc.) How can we preach with authority, lead by example, and gather that great people that's still waiting out there?

Hey Martin,

It's been a little while since I was in touch, I check in on the site every once in a while though and this podcast really piqued my interest.

I define myself increasingly as a part of the "Christ-curious" Quaker youth out there. I keep meeting people who practice a radical, energized Christian witness and I am inspired by them. I think your questions are right on, what would Quakerism look like if it were formed today as a reformation of itself? It feels fractured and dusty to me at the moment, both in evangelical and liberal circles.

I think there is some upswelling in Greensboro at the moment of folks who are really interested in seeing a change, an interest in revisiting the zeal of early Quakers. I'm encouraged by what I'm seeing here.

I'll keep you posted, blessings,
Evan

Hey Evan, great to hear from you. It seems like there's a sort of movement that's underground-in-plain sight, that pokes its head up every so often but is still mostly brushed off by establishment Friends (except perhaps when it comes to fund raising time, hm hm hm). So how is this upswelling looking in Greensboro? Are there any hang-outs online or in real life? I'm curious how we duplicate this and make visible this trend.

(For those who might not make the connection, this is this Evan).

Hi Evan!
(Was excited to see you come by and just wanted to say hello.)
In Christ,
Julie (Martin's wife)