In recent months many people have been talking about Brian McLaren and the movement known as "Emergent". Now, Brian McLaren and Emergent are quick to point out that McLaren is neither the official spokesman nor the spiritual leader of "the cause". In fact Emergent don't even use the term "movement" to describe themselves- at least not yet. McLaren humbly points out that people should wait and see what comes of things before deeming this a movement. For the time being it is merely being called a "conversation".

There are several connotations to this term- "conversation"- that make it an apt description. Perhaps the most important of all is the fact that it acknowledges that "Emergent" is an ongoing, open-ended dialogue. No one is specifically "in charge", but there is a fuzzy set center that revolves around the principles of the historic, apostolic Faith and the teachings of Jesus. The term "conversation" is also appropriate because it suggests that further discussion is needed because not all answers have been arrived upon.

In the midst of this discussion many new and exciting terms are being thrown around. So too are many prefixes- in particular the prefix "post". McLaren and others are quick to point out that as we move further and farther into the post-modern era, we can comfortably call ourselves post-evangelical, post-liberal, post-conservative, etc. We can call ourselves "post" many things because these terms are references to a paradigm born of the modern era with its modernist assumptions. In the postmodern era things look different- so much so in fact that many people are finding themselves uncomfortable with old designations attached to categories that no longer seem relevant.

There are many reasons why "going postal" as such can be beneficial. One- it certainly opens wide the doors to dialogue amongst Christians- whether they be formerly conservative, liberal, protestant, catholic, orthodox, or what have you. This is a huge advantage in itself because it moves us closer to being family again. And family is the perfect title there- because while we may not agree wholeheartedly with our brothers and sisters of different Christian traditions, we can certainly recognize that we are just that- family. In the same way that we are biologically connected to people whom never cease to be family- no matter how much we may disagree with them along the way. Sure there are limiations to this analogy- but you get the point.

But beyond this reason, I can think of another key benefit of "going postal". By shedding our old skins and moving forward in this new era we suddenly appear much more relevant, legitimate, and genuine to non-Christians. Not only are we demonstrating that family ties goes more than skin deep, we're also saying we're open for dialog- you know the kind that involves two people or two parties engaging each other- both talking and both listening.

And you see this brings us back to McLaren and others calling the Emergent movement a "conversation". While many don't get it at first- that's the perfect description for it. It is a conversation because it involves an open-ended dialogue. It is a conversation because it involves parties that have previously engaged only in monologue. And it is a conversation because, by its very nature, it suggests an invitational posture towards others- even to those who have very different views in relation to life and truth.

Some are actually intimidated and fearful of such a shift in approach; thinking it smacks of the "interfaith dialogue" phrase that has at times been associated with outright relativism in our society. And this is certainly not what McLaren and his comrades are talking about. I think the point is that if Jesus is real, and our experience of him is real, then we should not have anything to fear in talking with people who see things differently than we do.

An expression from the advertising world comes to mind here: "there is no such thing as bad press". Perhaps we could borrow that here and say "there is no such thing as a bad conversation"- as long as both parties enter in with mutual respect and openness to real dialogue. Such a shift in posture could very well open up doors that have been long bolted shut by the padlock presuppositions of the modernist era. And not only might this result in many more people coming to know and trust Jesus, but it might also teach us some very important lessons about ourselves and make those of us who already know and trust Him- look a little more like Him as well.