Scot McKnight At/On NorthPoint.
Super-blogger, writer, and thinker Scot McKnight spoke at NorthPoint over the weekend. He shares his experiences here.
I am most encouraged by his engagement with the staff and their open questions about mega-churches and “emerging church”. This along with Adam’s conversations with Andy Stanley gives me hope that my former community is starting to “get” our perspective.
[tags]Scot McKnight, Andy Stanley, NorthPoint, Mega-churches, Emerging Church[/tags]
Stephen
Monday, 19. March 2007 um 9:52 pm Uhr
Hey Josh,
I found your blog from the response you made over at Scot’s blog. I’m a part of the North Point community and was curious about your post here about Scot’s recent visit. As you refer to North Point as your “former community,” I’m curious why you left and what you mean when you refer to “our perspective” which North Point may be starting to “get.”
Josh
Monday, 19. March 2007 um 10:44 pm Uhr
stephen . . . thanks for your interest. i am a former covenant member of northpoint. probably 3 years. i was a small group leader for some high school students for maybe 2. and i interned for 6 months with troy fountain whose now down at wiregrass.
as far as your question . . . i was referring to the emerging church perspective. or besides that bulky label . . . the small church . . . grassroots kind of community that i’m apart of now. with my experience there and at another local megachurch i’ve really struggled with the whole megachurch model and with the CEO-type model of church. moreorless the whole emphasis on production and being “great” in the small things. i don’t think this is any fault of northpoint or wrong in and of itself . . . i just don’t think northpoint has had to wrestle with any of the “emerging” implications of ministry beyond middle-aged white suburbans and their 7:22 college-aged kids. this is partly due to their enormous success and effectiveness at reaching the above target “groups”.
so i’m greatly encouraged by andy and others asking sincere questions. attempting to understand a culture that is somewhat unsettled with light shows, modern worship, and ministering to what some would consider the “felt-needs” of “seekers”.
this is probably a really poor format to discuss this in any detail or with any nuance. but i loved northpoint while i was there. and my wife and i went there while we were dating and it was extremely helpful and beneficial to our marriage. i just personally struggle with some of the drawbacks that ever expression of the church has.
johnMark
Monday, 19. March 2007 um 11:02 pm Uhr
It’s nice to see some locals on the blogs. I too attended NP several years ago just before Buckhead Church started. I have some of the same feelings as Josh on the mega-church, pastor-CEO issues.
Anyways, just saying hello.
Mark