Dan has an interesting take on the differences between "emergent" and "emerging" in his blog post Origin of the Term "Emergent". The term "emergent" came separately from "emerging." "Emergent" was chosen as the name for a new theological network that some guys were forming out of the Leadership Network.

The confusing part in all this in terms of words, was that the "emerging church" was being used at that time and becoming more prevalent as described in the earlier blog entry. Tony told me that when he, Brian and Doug were thinking of new names for the theology group that was formerly the Leadership Network one - they were not trying to play off the "emerging church" term. Tony said, that naming it "emergent" was because the word is defined as the "coming to the surface" of new organic life beginning and reproducing and that was why they chose the word.

The similarities in approach, as well as terminology, meant that they would end up being interchangeable for many people.

It would be so interesting to think if back in June 2001, if they would have named the group "Odyssey" or something instead of "emergent". Then there wouldn't have been the confusion and blending of "emerging" and "emergent". I wonder if we would have "the odyssey church" used as a term today.

Interesting background. I've often wondered about the whole emerging/emergent thing.

Labels: church, emerging