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The emerging church conversation deals with the question of renewing the Church so that it lives out its mission in/as the Kingdom of God. The “how” is much harder than the “why” or “what”. Many have taken the idea of a new monasticism and formed communities of house churches.

As one who ministers in a church, that isn’t a viable option. However, most if not all in my church congregation have no idea of the conversation and don’t see the need to change, at least not at the level of creating new paradigms. So what am I to do? How do I introduce renewal? Of course, I am not talking about aesthetic features as some have misunderstood what’s happening. If it starts with me, I must set the example.

• Prayer and worship: These must prevade my life at every level, becoming the driving force for every action no matter how mundane.
• Authenticity: I must be real with others, sharing doubts, frustrations, and struggles with temptations.
• I must be living out my mission in the world, seeking out the needy and meeting them where they’re at.