Ellen Lain [Florida] discovers emergent thinking, tries to share it, gets frustrated out of her gourd...
[03.06]

Hi, welcome to our virtual coffee shop. Pull up a chair, take the load of your feet. Let's chat.

So who are you, where you from, what do you do in life? Ellen – LOVE Jesus :-) wife, mom of 2 awesome college students; job: sick child care for employee’s kids at hospital – fun! Was raised in a very liberal, social church; got saved at 24 yrs., was in several ‘holiness-type’ churches for years; moved to a grace-filled church here in Florida 9 yrs. ago…& have served in multiple leadership roles…

Can I get you a drink? Cappucino, earl grey, dandelion and burdock, pale ale?
Caramel macchiato, thanks!

Would you like a doughnut or pastry to go with that?
Muffin, please.

So, if you had to describe the church/project/experiment/thingy you are currently involved with in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
I’m frustrated out of my gourd trying to communicate emergent thought within my fairly modern church (it is SLOWLY happening), & have been visiting other cool emergent churches; trying to discern where the Lord wants me to worship & serve. ? (Is that one sentence?!)

Are you an instigator? / new recruit? / have absolutely no recollection of how you got involved?
3 years ago our youth pastor left to begin an emergent church in Paris (Vintage :-) ), & our daughter was going to go & serve with them (she didn’t go, but the church is thriving!)… that’s when I got introduced to emergent books and thought… OHMYGOSH!! Finally, all the pieces of my segregated spiritual journey began to come together & make sense!! I’m longing to engage others in this conversation; but for me – it’s like trying to nail jello to the wall! Is there a course somewhere on how to speak ‘emergent’ to the modern world??!!

What do you value most about being part of it?
EVERY emergent book & web site I’ve read brings wholeness to my 26 year spiritual journey. It fully speaks to the biggest question in the modern Christian movement: WHAT THE HECK ABOUT UNITY IN THE BODY OF BELIEVERS??!!! We moderns have thoroughly mutilated the love of Jesus that should be displayed in the body of Christ! This emergent thing puts all the pieces together… it’s integrated; and not disintegrated! For me, it’s bringing some spiritual unity with my liberal parents… it’s freeing me from the bonds & wrong tendencies of the holiness churches I was in… It invokes in me feelings of wholeness, peace, & unity under the mighty headship of Christ.

What excites you most about it?
Oh my goodness; the blessed hope that church will soon be MEANINGFUL & ENJOYABLE to people 35 and under!!! That this whole movement will be the next Reformation; and that our passionate young people will be filled with a burning heart for the Lord. ?

Has anyone ever turned up out of the blue not knowing what to expect?
What did they say?
Since I’m not in an emergent church right now – well, no. We know EXACTLY what to expect. :-/

Three words that describe your attitude to 'being church' in the big wide world: relating; reflecting (Christ – which includes a LOT!); reforming

Three words that DON'T:
programs; Monday night visitation; BORING

You have this weird dream - you meet Jesus face to face.
Where does it happen, what does he say to you?
I’ve had this dream many times… I’m in heaven… at first I see His feet, because I’ve fallen face flat down in worship, knowing I’m in His presence… he lifts me up & I see His radiant face... I am UNDONE… He smiles, and says; “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” And I’m filled with exceeding great joy! And then, He turns me away from Himself, to see the beautiful face of my daughter, Jessicah; gone all these years. And Jesus says; “She is yours again, forever more.” And life is utterly complete, forever more. ? (Mothers who’ve given up children ALWAYS see Jesus in heaven – with their child.)

What's the big secret you're itching to share with everyone?
I haven’t a clue! That I’m really a 23 year old, size 8 hottie, & this is just a disguise??!

What would your 'emerging church survival kit' contain?
A truck-load of grace; coffee & pastries, for sure!; my Bible; my prayer journal; a computer – so you can keeping up with the ongoing emergent conversations; a camera; variety of artistic tools for expression… Could I include Scot McKnight??

Anything else you'd like to share with us before you have to rush off?
Have probably said much more than I needed to!! Keep the conversations going!

Thanks. Good to see you. Have a good day!