Emerging Church – Some Leading Figures in the Emerging Church movement

• Brian McLaren
  The person most commonly associated with the movement. Former English professor who is now a pastor, traveling speaker, and author of several books. [22] Recognized as one of TIME magazine's "25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America," he serves on the board of the social activist organization, Sojourners. His book, A New Kind of Christian won an award of merit from Christianity Today in 2002. Another of his works, A Generous Orthodoxy, has achieved something akin to Scripture status in the Emerging Church movement. (website at http://www.brianmclaren.net/)
• Tony Jones
  National Coordinator of Emergent, an organized network of cooperating emerging ministries (http://www.emergentvillage.com/Site/index.htm). He is a doctoral fellow and senior research fellow in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary whose books have been highly influential in the movement.
• Dan Kimball
  Author of several books, including The Emerging Church; Vintage Christianity for New Generations (a Christianity Today best book of 2004). He is the pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California. (website at http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/).
• Eddie Gibbs
  Professor of church growth at the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Author of several books including Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures (which he coauthored with Ryan Bolger). His book Church Next: Quantum Changes in How We Do Ministry was a Christianity Today best book of 2001.
• Erwin McManus
  Author and speaker who is described on his website as "The lead pastor and Cultural Architect of Mosaic in Los Angeles. Known around the world for its spiritual creativity and cosmopolitan diversity, Mosaic is a community of followers of Jesus Christ committed to live by faith, to be known by love, and to be a voice of hope. Since the early 90's, Erwin has led Mosaic in a pioneering enterprise whose primary focus is to serve the post-modern, post-Western, and post-Christian world."(website at http://www.erwinmcmanus.com/)
• Leonard Sweet
  Professor at Drew University whose writings are popular in the movement. He sometimes veers very close to New Age concepts in his writings. (see, for example, his online book at http://www.leonardsweet.com/Quantum/index.asp)
• Stanley Grenz
  Now deceased, former professor of theology who co-authored the influential book, Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context.
• John Franke
  Professor of theology at Biblical Seminary in Hartfield, PA. Co-author of Beyond Foundationalism: Shaping Theology in a Postmodern Context.
• Stanley Hauerwas
  Professor of Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School. Named "America's Best Theologian" in 2001 by TIME magazine. Heavily influenced by postmodern philosophers, he has in turn had a profound affect on the Emerging Church movement. Known to frequently use profanities in his speaking engagements.
• Brad Kallenberg
  Professor of Religious Studies at University of Dayton. His primary interest is in ethics.
• Doug Pagitt
  The pastor of Solomon's Porch in Minneapolis. Author of several books who is a recognized leader in the movement. (website at http://pagitt.typepad.com/)
• Nancy Murphy
  Professor of Christian Philosophy at Fuller Theological Seminary. Her book, Beyond Liberalism and Fundamentalism has influenced many emergent leaders.
• Steve Chalke
  British Baptist once known for his doctrinal orthodoxy who has embraced the movement, retreating from his former views. His book, The Lost Message of Jesus created great controversy in the UK. [23]
• LeRon Shults
  Professor of theology at Bethel Seminary. Author of books such as The Postfoundationalist Task of Theology.
• Chris Seay
  Baptist pastor and author who is collaborating with Brian McLaren on The Voice project, a retelling of the Bible as a collection of stories, poems and songs.
• Spencer Burke
  Creator of theooze.com., traveling speaker, and author of several books. (website at http://cavepainter.typepad.com/ [also see http://www.theooze.com/about/ourteam.cfm])
• Rob Bell
  Pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, in Grandville, Michigan. Author of Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith. (website at http://www.mhbcmi.org/findex.html)
• Bill Dahl
  Freelance writer, social activist, and speaker who frequently contributes articles to various publications and websites. (website at http://theporpoisedivinglife.com/)
• Donald Miller
  Author of several popular books, including Blue Like Jazz. His works have been highly coveted in the movement, and he is contributing to the Voice project. (website at http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/index.php)

Written by David Kowalski

David has worked as an English teacher (Abeka), high school administrator (ACE), in-school-suspension teacher (public school), Associate Pastor (two Assemblies of God churches), Senior Pastor (two Assemblies of God churches), and Bible College Professor (Global University).

Some of his articles at Apologetics Index include, Modernism vs. Postmodernism: Can we really know the truth?, Lessons Learned from Lying Leaders, and An Evaluation of Emergent Epistemology. [More articles...]

David Kowalski uses Google+. You can interact with him there, or comment below.

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