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November 3, 2008

Tony Jones Out as Emergent Village Head

Board wants to check any centralizing tendencies in the network

Derek Keefe

The Board of Emergent Village announced a new direction for the network last Thursday, which includes the decision "to streamline, decentralize, and reduce expenses by discontinuing the role of National Coordinator."

This move comes in response to feedback from more than 2,000 friends of Emergent given in a survey sent out this past summer. Thursday's announcement reports that "nearly everyone [survey respondents] agreed that emergent is a grass-roots relational network" and that friends of Emergent are wary of "institutionalization" -- becoming "another large nonprofit religious organization building a big budget and staff."

Jones will continue in his role of National Coordinator on a part-time basis through the end of the year and will, according the announcement, "stay actively involved as a passionate participant in this conversation and friendship."

More to come.

posted by Derek Keefe | Comments (8)

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Welcome to the tension that every Baptist, Congregationalist, Christian-Church of Christ, etc., local church group has struggled with since the Reformation. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun.

Posted By: John | November 3, 2008 1:55 PM

I love it. The Emergents are trying to figure out how to institutionalize anti-institutionalism.

Posted By: Jeff | November 4, 2008 4:20 PM

perhaps this is because Jones's marriage has broken up?

Posted By: ken silva | November 8, 2008 10:04 AM

Ken = total lack of class

Posted By: Jon | November 10, 2008 6:27 PM

Aren't 'Emergents' just Christians who want to disobey clear directives in Scripture by pretending that what the Bible says is unclear?

Posted By: Roger - Australia | November 10, 2008 11:48 PM

"Perhaps this is because Jones's marriage has broken up," Nice! Thanks for spreading a little gossip. What has gotten into the body of Christ these days?

Posted By: bob swan | November 11, 2008 9:10 AM

Just a suggestion: could the webmaster of this site delete the above comments regarding the Jones family? Thank you.

Posted By: Vanessa | November 26, 2008 11:22 AM

It is not gossip if it is factual.

Emergent Village and the Cohorts have shrouded Tony Jones and his sin.

The Deceiver has a stronghold on him. Praise Jesus for sparing his wife and child from eternal damnation.

False prophets who knowingly turn their backs against His word will always be rebuked by the Lord.

Posted By: Brian Shultz | February 3, 2009 11:04 PM