Winner of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion’s 2015 Distinguished Book Award
“Christianity is the only mad religion; which is perhaps, the explanation for its survival—it deconstructs itself and survives by deconstructing itself.” — Jacques Derrida
The Emerging Church Movement (ECM) is a reform movement within Western Christianity that reacts against its roots in conservative evangelicalism by “de-constructing” contemporary expressions of Christianity. Emerging Christians see themselves as overturning out-dated interpretations of the bible, transforming hierarchical religious institutions, and re-orientating Christianity to step outside the walls of church buildings toward working among and serving others in the “real world.”
Drawing on ethnographic observations from emerging congregations, pub churches, neo-monastic communities, conferences, online networks, in-depth interviews, and congregational surveys in the US, UK, and Ireland, this book provides a comprehensive social scientific analysis of the development and significance of the ECM. Emerging Christians are shaping a distinct religious orientation that encourages individualism, deep relationships with others, new ideas around the nature of truth, doubt, and God, and innovations in preaching, worship, Eucharist, and leadership.
More than other expressions of Christianity, the ECM simultaneously reacts against modernity while drawing on distinctly modern conceptions of self and community to produce a form of religiosity well-suited to our era. The significance of the ECM extends far beyond the individuals and congregations that identify with the movement as the imperatives that drive this movement accentuate what is driving the future of Western Christianity.
Comments about the Book:
“As growing numbers of Americans say they are ‘nonreligious,’ observers note a comparable shift among those who are religious toward looser, more individualistic, anti-institutional, experimental expressions of faith. Marti and Ganiel have done a superb job of examining these emerging expressions, illuminating both the practices and beliefs of individuals and the innovative congregations they are forming.”
–Robert Wuthnow, Gerhard R. Andlinger ‘52 Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Princeton University
“In the midst of a polarized landscape, where ‘religion’ and ‘church’ signal a lack of vitality and authenticity, Emerging Churches are putting together something new out of the debris. Marti and Ganiel show us why we should pay attention. They describe the faith found here as neither shopping nor seeking, but a conversation carried on in congregations that are determinedly open and inclusive. This book provides a careful analysis of this much-discussed movement and shows why it is so well-suited to our times.”
–Nancy T. Ammerman, author of Sacred Stories, Spiritual Tribes: Finding Religion in Everyday Life
Review by Randall Reed in Church History
Authors Meet Critics at the 2016 American Academy of Religion Meeting, San Antonio
Review by Ralph Kunz in Ecclesial Practices
Freestyle Christianity Podcast
Review by William H. Willimon in The Christian Century
Review by Matthew Guest in Journal of Contemporary Religion
Review by James Spickard in American Journal of Sociology
Review by Stephen Fouse in Religion
Review by Josh Packard in Sociology of Religion
Review by James Wellman on Patheos
Review by Ryan Burge in The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Review by Travis Cooper on the Religious Studies Project
Review on Patheos by Bradley Wright
Review on Temoins (Witnesses) Blog (in French)
Click here to read our interview about the book in Bearings magazine
Feature on Temoins (“Witnesses”) Blog (in French)
Feature on Religion in American History blog