I’ve been interested in the emerging church for about 10 years now.
I got interested when I met Eric Villanueva through his brother Steve (whom I am desperate to re-connect with if it is possible.) Eric told me about the increasing number of young pastors in Europe. Delerious was big at the time and Matt Redman. Eric connected me with a young Romanian pastor whom I supported for a while.
Then I met Jamie Bakkker (Jim Baker the televangelist’s son) at a book signing in Raleigh. I was talking to him about vision when an overly-tatooed guy came up and started talking. Jaime ignored me. I was glad. He later became the focus of Sundance Channel’s One Punk Under God.
I read Relevant Magazine, I subscribe to their RSS feed, I like some of their music reviews (Starflyer 59, Mute Math, Derek Webb, etc.), I even like some of their columns, though most of them haven’t got a clue about economics – real economics…).
I’ve visited the local Acts 29 church, Vintage 21. Great church. Great pastor.
I started reading Anthony Bradley’s blog when he was still writing for World magazine – which has become a Republican stronghold, too bad. He’s now with the Acton Institute, too good, and Resurgence.
That’s how I started listening to Mark Driscoll’s sermons online. As the CT article will show you, he’s the real deal, and he’s wicked (Will Hunting) smart. He doesn’t mind calling it like it is (like Stanley Hauerwas, my favorite theologian) or cussing. He started an outdoor church service for smokers. And he skipped seminary. Tonight he’s in Wake Forest at South Eastern Baptist Seminary’s Convergent Conference with his buddy Ed Stetzer, and Durham’s own golden child J.D. Greer. I’ve never heard J.D. preach before, but everyone I know who has says he falls into the Will Hunting category as well. His church, The Summit, is a big support of Agape Corner Boarding School, where I worked for 8 years, and where my mom and dad are full time staff today. So the circle closes.
Anyway, read the article about Mark Driscoll and catch the buzz.