The emerging church movement seeks to apply the Christian message in a contemporary, postmodern culture and is developing new ideas about worship, theology, and mission. Brian McLaren’s provocative writings have become a manifesto of sorts for many in the emergent conversation. But he’s also generating intense controversy, especially among conservative evangelicals.

Read more of Kim Lawton’s interview with emerging church leader Brian McLaren.

Read more of Kim Lawton’s interview about the emerging church with Doug Pagitt, pastor of Solomon’s Porch in Minneapolis and author of REIMAGINING SPIRITUAL FORMATION.

Read more of Kim Lawton’s interview about the emergent church with Scot McKnight, religious studies professor at North Park University in Chicago.

Read more of Kim Lawton’s interview with Trinity Evangelical Divinity School professor D.A. Carson, author of BECOMING CONVERSANT WITH THE EMERGING CHURCH.

Read more of Kim Lawton’s interview about the emergent church with Diana Butler Bass, author of THE PRACTICING CONGREGATION: IMAGINING A NEW OLD CHURCH.

The emerging church movement began several years ago as a conversation among evangelical Gen-X leaders who were alarmed at church dropout rates among 20s and 30s. They formed a loose network named Emergent to discuss what it means in today’s world to follow Jesus and to reach out to others.