A speech outline

General Purpose: To inform
The audience will understand the emergent church in America.

It is nearly impossible to form a one or two sentence entry defining the "Emergent Church."
I. Introduction
A. Harry Blackmun quote "I'll know it when I see it."
B. The Emergent Church is not a shift away from Christianity as we know it, but rather a shift made by Christianity so that others can know it.
C. I will discuss three uniwue feature of the emergent church
1. tolerance of those with opposing views
2. a view of the Bible and our lives as being a story that intertwine
3. preaching in a style that this generation will understand
The post-modern world is here to stay, and the church has the option of changing it's medium or getting out of the soul changing business.
A. The Emergent church seeks to tolerate those who hold views that are in opposition to the church.
1. dialogue with those of different believes instead of monologueing about why they are wrong.
2. acceptance of others into a community of forgiven, sinful, and hurting people. Church - not just for Christians anymore.

The essentials (as stated in the apostles creed) haven't changed. Almost everything else is up for grabs. Chris Seay (1)

B. The emergent church stands against using the Bible as a textbook and the ensuing pursuit to undefinably be able to have all of the correct answers.
1. post-moderns want truth - not facts - but something beautiful and life changing
2. more than just a "get out of hell free pass" salvation is a journey, a story, and a song.
Preaching shouldn't be facts salted and peppered with more facts - it should be a story - God's story of redemption, because that is what the Bible really is.
C. Most sermons are preached on a linear level - 3 points and a conclusion, but most post-moderns don't think in a line as much as in a web.
The internet would be very tedious if every sight had just one link. It's okay for sermons to be random and spontaneous.
III. Conclusion
A. Review
1. God's word is a story of love, grace, and forgiveness - our lives, preaching, and churches should be, too.
2. We need to meet people where they are - John Wesley
B. Conclusion
1. The emergent church is not an attempt to water down the gospel or hate on those who love organ music
2. The emergent church is however a shift to bring a culturally relevant gospel to a culturally shifting people.

Although I doubt any of you will be able to tell me a brief one sentence definition of what the emergent church is - I hope you all have a better understanding and will be able to "know it when you see it."