Busted!
OK, so I’m not taking a perp walk with my head bowed down and my jacket covering my handcuffs. They didn’t seize my computer – although there may be some “incriminating” data on there. I’m not on some post office bulletin board somewhere, but I may be busted just the same.
Chris Monroe wonders if there are too many “emerging church voyeurs” out there…
“In fact, for the last 2-1/2 years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the growing number of Emerging Church Voyeurs — men and women who are fascinated with this emphasis, this paradigm, this movement — but who persist in “watching” others instead of rolling up their sleeves and getting personally involved. In some instances, they are people who lurk anonymously around EC-related message boards. In others, they’re the host of people who join book discussion groups and attend workshops and conferences, but never launch out themselves. The Emerging Church experience, for these folks, is tantalizing, titillating, and even addictive. They love this stuff!”
“Religious and ecclesiological voyeurism is certainly nothing new. The modern-era church (especially in the last several decades) has been filled with who those in the real estate business call “lookie-loos” — people who act like serious buyers, but really have no intention of doing so.”
“The emerging church needs more voyageurs, not more voyeurs! On the surface, the difference may seem incidental — but don’t be fooled! The (French) voyageur was a hearty explorer and guide (especially cir. 1650-1750), usually through unknown and unexplored territory — a trailblazer extraordinaire!”
“May God therefore help us to discourage emerging church voyeurism, and instead — empower women and men to step out and take risks and be the voyageurs that following generations will thank God for.”
Thanks to Stephen Shields for pointing the way to Chris’ indictment.