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Book Review: "Stories of Emergence" edited by Mike Yaconelli
Welcome to postmodern therapy. Just when you thought that you were on your own out there... feeling like the world was
going crazy and you were the only one noticing... along comes your support group in paperback form. As I read through
the book, I could almost imagine myself sitting in a circle with the authors... stammering to say "Hi, my name is Greg
and I am changing." to which the reply would of course be, fifteen voices in unison warmly saying, "Hi Greg!".
"Stories of Emergence" is a book that repeatedly reminds us that it's okay to be different. In our confusion, we belong.
Edited by Mike Yaconelli, "Stories of Emergence" is exactly what its title leads you to believe. A collection of stories...
about emergence. Brilliant. Included are essays from Brian McLaren, George Baum (of musical group Lost and Found), Jay
Bakker (Jim and Tammy Faye's son), Chris Seay, Chuck Smith Jr, and many more. None of the essays are long and all of them
are at their worst interesting and at their best brilliant. Highlights include Chuck Smith's insightful criticisms
of postmodernism and the way many churches are currently responding to it, Chris Seay's tale of his journey of faith,
and George Baum's story of his brother who passed away as a result of AIDS.
Not a "how-to" book, and not necessarily a theology book, "Stories" is simply a look into some of the people who are
experiencing a change in their faith that is leading them to someplace new. It's kind of a "journals from the journey"
type of thing. I was able to read it over the course of two afternoons and I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you're looking
for some affirmation to be found in the stories of others, pick this one up.
Review by Greg Adkins
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