Mark Driscoll's Resurgence website is now up. From Driscoll...
...our staff is constructing the mother lode of all websites, complete with an ever-growing library of free articles, curriculum, podcasts, book reviews, cultural commentary, teaching helps, ministry tools, and mp3s of sermons and conferences for a spring debut, this blog will help keep you up-to-date on the sanctified trouble we are planning. Some of the most successful pastors and most respected missional theologians are providing enough content to give even the most devout gospel and culture geeks a headache of Absalom-esque proportions.
From the "About" page...
Resurgence means to rise again, or to surge back into vibrancy. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ must resurge in every generation to meet the needs of people and their continually changing cultures.
Missional means that we believe Jesus Christ is on a mission to seek and save people, change their lives, and transform their cultures. Because of this we believe that Christians, Christian organizations, and Christian churches exist to join Jesus on His mission by immersing themselves in whatever culture Jesus has placed them.
Theology means that we believe that personal and cultural transformation is only possible by meeting the living Jesus Christ of the Bible through His gospel. Because of this we believe that culturally accessible mission also requires biblically faithful theology.
Cooperative means that we believe a team of missional theologians working together as friends and peers, sharing ideas, and correcting errors is the best way for learning to occur. Because of this we are a network of various Christian leaders, ministries, churches, and networks seeking to work together in providing the most culturally effective and biblically faithful missional theology.
At Resurgence you will find info for the Reform & Resurge conference in May, which I would give up one of my toes to attend. I'm planning on being at two conferences in April (one I attend, one in which I'm a speaker) and I'm still trying to see if I can make it to Seattle. Speakers include Driscoll, Ed Stetzer, Tim Keller, Rick McKinley, Joshua Harris, Darrin Patrick, Matt Chandler, and Anthony Bradley. From the website...
This is a conference that exists to provide encouragement, guidance, and instruction for the church and its leadership. Topics will address issues such as:
- Preaching the Christian Gospel to a secular audience
- The role of mercy ministry in cultural transformation
- Methods for engaging and decoding culture
- Practical tips for pastors
- Emerging theological errors in need of correction
= Crazy Delicious. (sorry, I did that)
In addition to all this the net is abuzz on how Driscoll is now blogging on the front page of the Resurgence website. I highly doubt this will be much more than his way of updating people about the Resurgence ministry and what's coming next, etc. But it will be worth watching since Resurgence promises to be a tremendous missional resource. Here's his first post.
crazy delicious indeed.
Posted by: Matt Buehrle | 01/14/2006 at 09:30 AM
My guess is that Mark's blog will be similar to Keller's, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Of course he won't update it daily with the ridiculous crap I put on my blog. But he has a life and a church to pastor.
Posted by: Kevin Cawley | 01/14/2006 at 11:09 AM
I don't agree, KC. I hope so, but I don't picture it that way. I don't necessarily think he should "blog" like any of us. I think it will be less "vision" like Keller and more information about Resurgence stuff. But I'll be happier than anyone if it's more.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/14/2006 at 12:41 PM
I was saddened by his first blog entry in that he took some potentially good questions for some emerging church leaders and cast a broad, unqualified net of generalization.
Mark was one of the first people to ever speak to me about postmodernity, etc. I recognize his very unique tone, so I'll take of it with a grain of salt. However, I was still very disappointed with his kind of approach.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 01/14/2006 at 06:00 PM
Jamie, let me know if we are talking about the same things here. I'm sure there are plenty who take issue with doctrinal positions with Mark (I personally don't), he probably has a better grasp of what is happening with Emergent leaders and such than most of us. If anyone can make helpful and accurate generalizations, he can. Do you agree?
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/14/2006 at 10:52 PM
Thanks for the alert, Steve. I really appreciate this link.
Posted by: Marty Duren | 01/15/2006 at 12:08 PM
Steve,
I am not sure I can adequately reply in this context, but I have to take exception. While I do not embrace the reform theology that Mark does, I don't necessarily have a big issue with this. However, Mark can have a tone of condescension and patronization for those who do not share those views. (I won't get into the issue of women in leadership).
My greater concern is that in his blog entry, he represents Emergent in very generalized terms that do not accurately or fairly represent what he is siting. Yes, he has an inside connection to these leaders and histories, but even as an outsider I can see the imbalance.
In the end, I worry that he equates Emergent with the emerging church phenomonon, which is unfair, as Emergent is vastly American, something very different emerging realities in other places in the world.
Don't get me wrong, I am not dismissing Mark or his views. I respect much of what he believes and practices. However, I feel he can be a more divisive voice than is necessary or warranted.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 01/15/2006 at 08:50 PM
Jamie, in his new book he separates Emergent with the emerging church very clearly. I wouldn't always speak with the same tone he does, but if anyone is able to speak bluntly on the EC or Emergent it's him.
Posted by: Steve McCoy | 01/15/2006 at 09:25 PM
Steve,
That's cool. I just respectfully disagree.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 01/15/2006 at 10:44 PM
Oops, part of my comment was deleted before posting. Here is how it was meant to read:
Steve,
That's cool. I appreciate that his book will be more specific in the designation. Sadly, his blog does not reflect that distinction well enough, in my opinion. Further, it overstates the stances of some Emergent leaders.
As for his Reform theologies and his views on women in leadership, I just respectfully disagree.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 01/15/2006 at 10:53 PM
What Driscoll says about the Emergent stream he seems to directly say about McClaren & Pagitt ... in other words, he doesn't generalize, but makes sure to attach names to his statements. Now if his statements regarding the views of Pagitt & McClaren are wrong (those statements could be characterized as carrying the *tone* of a "divisive voice"), that's another story (and I don't know their theology enough to know).
Posted by: Matt Buehrle | 01/16/2006 at 01:46 PM
Matt,
In fact, I do believe that he doesn't fairly characterize the theology of McLaren. However, I still feel that, while he did site specific names, the comment was first directed at Emergent at large. At any rate, I am not losing any sleep over it. Just sharing my view.
Peace,
Jamie
Posted by: Jamie Arpin-Ricci | 01/16/2006 at 02:20 PM
Got it.
Peace (out),
Matt
Posted by: Matt Buehrle | 01/16/2006 at 03:35 PM