New Boys Network?

Date: 21 May 2010 03:24:06

I've just finished reading Evaluating Fresh Expressions by Martyn Percy and Louise Nelstrop and it has really made me stop and think. The critiques and defences of Fresh Expressions within it make you actually reflect and think through what you believe about these new, (or not so new) forms of being church - (See Andrew Jones/ Tall Skinny for explanation of last bit).

The most challenging chapters for me were the critiques and particularly a concluding comment in one that came from Pete Rollins. He talked about these Fresh Expressions contributing to a hegemonic approach. Now v. quick sociology lesson for those who don't know what hegemony is...Gramsci, a Neo Marxist, gave us the term to describe how the ruling class promote dominant ideas as common sense by allowing and containing dissent, and by marginalising it to the edges whilst ensuring the dominant norms and values were the ones seen as mainstream and "common sense" for and by the majority. This is not some kind of "Dr. No" conspiracy of the type traditional Marxists put forward, but rather an unconsious act which occurs because of shared norms and values amongst the ruling classes and agents of control. (Sociology lesson over).

Now, personally I am so pro the "mixed economy" idea it's almost ideological with me. However, within that I do (i) recognise the power of Fresh Expressions within and coming out of traditional and "inherited" church; (ii) I also believe, particularly having done some of my current research, that "traditional church" does present too much of a psychological barrier for some to access and so "new forms" and "Fresh Expressions" are required in order to provide space to hear their stories and learn from "unchurched culture". I think aswell providing a "safe space" for those who have no knowledge of the norms, values, discourses, history or language of the church to be able to recieve basic theological education within a non-threatening atmosphere is important if we are serious about being missional.

One thing, researching and looking at this stuff that worries me is are we producing a "new boys network"? Let me explain what I mean by referring you to this post by Jonny Baker about a tautoko network weekend. On one hand the post is all inclusive and is appearing to recognise the problem I am referring to by saying: " The network was made a bit more intentional/formal recognising that there were plenty of others involved in the same kind of stuff who didn't necessarily have the history of friendships but could gain a ton from being part of it."

The implication of this whole thing seems to be, we know it's not just our friends involved and so we are going to invite others along and so they can become our friends..... Perhaps I'm being cynical but I think the stated aims do encourage the development rather than the disintergration of this new boys network:

To share the journey with others who face similar mission challenges.

For mutual friendship, encouragement, solidarity, support, gift giving, discernment, resource sharing, ideas and learning

To see what emerges as creative people connect.

However, and this is the other side of it. People working on the edges do need to network and recieve support and inspiration and sometimes mentoring from others who are taking the same, or a similar path. Just as most professions have their professional associations this could just be seen as their version. I don't know...perhaps it is just with his talk of hegemony Rollins has got me thinking about Neo-Marxist theory generally and so I am becoming more aware of the role of "gate keepers" and "gate keeping" within the church, (old and new)......or maybe it is just something else at the moment.

*Note I don't think gate keeping is a bad thing because I really believe the church and other para-church organisations have to test calls and stuff thoroughly, also as employers they have duties of care towards their employees and gatekeeping supports this. However I do have the disadvantage of being bought up in a church and an age where figures like Gladys Aylward were still held up as good examples and in recent years have discovered Dorothy Day as a heroine, amongst others including Antoinette Brown Blackwell .