The conversation around the blogosphere (or the small slice of it that I follow) has forced many of us to re-think many facets of the Emerging/Emergent movement. Steve Knight has a list of some of the pertinent posts concerning the conversation over at Emergent Village (I was honored to see my Open Letter listed among them). I'd add Jonathan's recent post at EV to the list as well.

I've followed the conversation pretty closely. Here are 10 things I've learned as a result, in no particular order:

1. There are far more Emergents than simply those that use the label.

2. It is immensely difficult to sustain a movement without clearly delineated borders; that's made me sad.

3. Names are really important...far more important than we can ever realize.

4. I've understood why, when Moses asked for God's name on Mt. Sinai, God said what He said.

5. While Jesus' yoke will turn out to be light, it can feel as heavy as a solid-wood cross along the way.

6. The opposite of love is not hate. It is fear.

7. Never underestimate the principalities and powers; in fact, assume that you won't even see 'em coming.

8. It is immensely difficult to sustain a movement without a clearly delineated community; that's made me glad.

9. We'll never cease emerging...nor should we.

10. The greatest of these is love.

Grace and Peace,
Raffi