women’s ministry for the twenty-first century
They’re having a conference for Emerging women on the east coast. Based on this banner, it seems that “the Table” is a romantic dinner for two. Assuming “the Table” is analagous to “the Emergent Conversation,” that’s a little weird.
So when a woman takes a seat at the Emergent table, is it like going on a date with Tony Jones?
July 27th, 2006 at 7:26 am
Every time I hear the word “Emerging,” I think of child birth.
July 27th, 2006 at 7:29 am
Your comments about this are F-U-N-N-Y, but the longer I look at this little postcard thingie, the sadder it seems.
For one thing, as you pointed out, just how many people can fit at this table? Assuming one is a woman, the other is probably another major voice in the Emergent Movement–but sadly, just ONE. This poor woman doesn’t even get the ear of the entire body, just one person (Tony Jones or Brian McLaren? and is it one of those “death is not an option” scenarios?)
Because like you said, this table is set more for a romantic dinner for two–note the flowers, floor-length table cloth, Victorian-style decor, and bottle of champagne.
It would be much better, I think, if the “table” depicted was a nice, big round conference-style table.
Also, is this East Coast conference just for women? Because if so, that’s hardly a seat at THE table. More like a seat at the kiddie table (you womenfolk sit over there, and let the boys carry on at their own table). Will the women get to hear from men and women speakers? Will men be encouraged to attend to hear what any possible women speakers have to say?
I think true equality would be just a general Emergent conference, with a bigger focus of the program placed on gender and racial diversity as an issue that the Emergent Movement needs to take a hard look at, and seriously address.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:24 am
I think you and NinjaNun pretty much covered it.
IMO, that table looks downright uncomfortable, like I’d have to be on my best behavior. I’d rather see something big, old, and beaten up where all are welcome and I don’t have to (ha) wear my Sunday best.
Harumph.
July 27th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
Seeing that table suggests to me I’d have to show up in some really prissy-looking dress. Prissy I am not, dammit!
I agree w/Ninjanun, too.
July 28th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
So at this conference will the women learn how to put on bake and craft sales to raise money for the Emergent movement?
Looking at this flier it looks like every other women’s event, dinner or retreat put on by every women’s ministry in every Evangelical church I have ever been a part of…. ugh.
July 28th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Yeah, this flier looks so telling. And if you read the description, it’s pretty wierd:
“Together we will explore the metaphor of tables: picnic tables, card tables, boardroom tables, kitchen tables, pottery tables, coffee tables, banquet tables, the Communion Table, changing tables, Tiki bar tables, even multiplication tables! A variety of hosts and guests will weave our conversations and questions, our hopes and dreams, our stories and struggles, our theology and experiences, together with the Biblical narrative as we enjoy the presence of the Lord in and among us.”
I’m not encouraged.
July 29th, 2006 at 2:20 am
LOL = Funny
You know what, it will be good if this whole thing can just Emerge and get it over and done with. But then what will they call it then? The EMERGED Church? Ooops, I think they didn’t think through their whole movement.
:¬)
July 29th, 2006 at 6:58 am
LOL! I’m sure Tony’s wife won’t be pleased.
Alot of people here seem to really dislike or dismiss the emerging church (or more specifically, Emergent Village, which represents a small part of the larger conversation). I am genuinely curious as to why?
Peace,
Jamie
August 1st, 2006 at 2:47 pm
I don’t see anyone dismissing or disliking the emerging church. We’re just questioning what the hell this little poster thing could mean. And questions are still welcome in the Emergent Conversation, right?
And the table metaphor that is to be explored? Could you really see that being used to advertise a regular or “men’s” Emergent conference?
August 1st, 2006 at 6:10 pm
None of us have dismissed, expressed dislike for, or dissed the emerging/emergent church, or even the Village. We’re just wondering about the table, nothing more.
August 1st, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Oh know I am dissing the emerging church (or conversation or whatever or whoever put this out)… and I am doing it for the reasons I stated.
August 2nd, 2006 at 6:26 am
Ninjanun & Shelly,
I did say I was genuinely curious. I never even came to close to suggesting that questions are unwelcome. If anyones quetion seems unwelcome, it seems to be mine. I was also referring to the larger commentary in the posts and comments of this blog, not just this particular thread.
I am not saying people are wrong for their positions, even if they do dismiss or dislike the emerging church or EV. I simply want to understand why. Fundamentalist critics are fairly easy to figure out and dialgue with them seems fruitless most often. Here I expected a fair exchange of ideas. Sorry if I offended you.
Peace,
Jamie
August 2nd, 2006 at 7:57 am
I’m curious as to why you think any of us are offended.
You sound defensive yourself, actually: “If anyones [sic] question seems unwelcome, it seems to be mine.”
We clarified our position, and you think that means we’re offended?
“I never even came close to suggesting that questions are unwelcome.”
Maybe not, but you did say, “Alot of people here seem to really dislike or dismiss the emerging church (or more specifically, Emergent Village, which represents a small part of the larger conversation). I am genuinely curious as to why?”
You did not clarify that you were talking about comments made outside the scope of this blog post. You appeared to jump to the conclusion that, because we found this advertisement distasteful and were questioning it, we must dislike or dismiss the emerging church in general. And THAT is why I asked if questions are still welcome. If I ask a critical question and the response I get from someone who identifies with emergent is “why do you dislike the emergent church?” well, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. It kind of smacks of questioning any of Bush’s policies and a Bush supporter asking, “why do you hate america?”
“I am not saying people are wrong for their positions, even if they do dismiss or dislike the emerging church or EV. I simply want to understand why. Fundamentalist critics are fairly easy to figure out and dialgue with them seems fruitless most often. Here I expected a fair exchange of ideas.”
Well then don’t jump to conclusions about how we feel about the emergent church simply because we’re willing to ask critical questions about it. If we didn’t care about the direction of the Emergent church, we wouldn’t bother to ask and question.
What do you have to add to the discussion going on in this thread concerning the way this advertisement for a women’s conference comes across?
August 2nd, 2006 at 5:53 pm
Sorry in advance, but I’m a bit of a satirist.
“Oh look! It’s crowning!”
The picture is sad-assed in my opinion, because it suggests intimacy, and gender-based steriotypical ideals when it should suggest a broader dialogue. A room full of such tables might have been a start, but there is still not enough room to prop up a decent pair of elbows.
August 2nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Ninjanun,
Wow… Genuinely, I did not expect my question to come across as though I was jumping to conclusions. I was genuinely curious. In fact, I was recently “scolded” by some prominent emerging folks for posting my own critiques of specific aspects of the movement, which really shocked me. I felt confused and hurt by that experience.
To that end, I was curious as to what others who did not identify with the emerging church and had critical (in the evaluation sense, not the negative sense) concerns with it had to say about it. I wanted to understand for improvement sake, not defensively confronting any differing views.
So, I didn’t assume anyone was offended. Rather, since I was challenged about the intentions and assumptions of my question, which again was not answered, I wanted to make sure that any misunderstanding hadn’t caused offense- thus “Sorry IF I offended you”, no sarcasm intended.
I guess tone is lost in this medium and I came off as defensive when I only intended gain a better understanding. I hope this helps clarify.
As to the the ad shown above, it certainly wouldn’t be my taste. However, meeting with several women who are involved in Emergent Village in a leadership capacity, there are many in that group who would (and do) find this image very appealing- personal, attention to detail, etc. Again, not my taste and perhaps more thought should have gone into choosing it. I would like to know more about how the event goes.
Peace,
Jamie
August 3rd, 2006 at 7:48 am
I answered your question Jamie…
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:00 pm
Whoops! Sorry, Steve. *smacks forehead*