The Church for us Christians has always meant more than an architectural building or a hierarchical structure. The Church for us is a gathering of the faithful, a spiritual place of worship, a common space for engaging the surrounding community; a place of healing, a place of fulfillment, a place for coming closer to God, a place of belonging and so on. The Church truly means much more to us Christians than what can be seen with our eyes.
Over the years even though the Church has evolved and grown in various ways in terms of size and reach, making space for more and more Christians to become a part of it – in its journey the Church has somehow missed to address its own issues within or rather we can say that it has been very slow in addressing its own issues.
Then what kind of an emerging church must we strive to build today so that our church becomes more and more inclusive, people centric and a church of the marginalised.
Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium expressed his idea for an Emerging Church saying: “I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security”, He also wrote “I do not want a church concerned with being at the center and then ends up by being caught up in a web of obsessions and procedures.”
Keeping Pope Francis’ words in mind, anEmerging Church for me is a church which must comprise of 4 Key things: First of all a Church which is not a building or a structure of maintaining clerical hierarchy, but rather a gathering and a movement of People of God, who are grounded in faith and all inclusive as in ‘Disciple of equals’aswell as non-discriminate in their services to people of all faith.Secondly a Church which especially works for the needs of the marginalised people all the time and not only when it is in need or being attacked. Third, An emerging church for me is a visionary and action-led church which participates in solving troubles and issues of the communities at least within its surroundings. FourthAnd Most importantly A Church that is free of abuse especially sexual abuse and also equipped with co-owned systems that includes the Laity, Clergy and experts) who play vital roles in educating, addressing and preventing all kinds and forms of abuse propagated by and within the members of the church.
Let us strive to build an emerging church that is responsible, inter-religious, inclusive, people centric and a church of the marginalised – free from all forms of discrimination and abuse.
By Neilan D’Souza