A Node in the Web of the Emerging Church

Emergent Village Makes Significant Changes in Structure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, November 1, 2008—Emergent Village today announced a major change in structure that will position it less like a traditional non-profit organization and more like a social networking organization. The group, which describes itself as “a growing, generative friendship,” has significantly influenced the church in North America over the past decade. Known primarily for its grass roots, relational networks, friendships, and conversations, Emergent Village has also been known by many for its website (www.emergentvillage.com), its publishing partnerships, and its annual events. The organization became a 501©(3) non-profit corporation in 2001 and hired its first national coordinator, Tony Jones, in 2005.

After an 18-month period of discernment that included focus groups, a vision retreat, and an online survey completed by over 2,000 interested persons, the Emergent Village board of directors has decided to take a significant step away from institutionalization, “gifting” the organization back to the grass-roots networks that birthed it. To this end, Emergent Village will “flatten” the organization by discontinuing the national coordinator position and significantly reducing the organization’s fundraising.

“This was a rigorous and prayerful process,” said Mark Oestreicher, Emergent Village board chair. “We on the board are excited about the future of Emergent Village, and we believe this is the most healthy direction for that future.”

The mission of Emergent Village will continue; the organization will still be involved in producing and co-hosting events, and the website, blog, and podcast will go on as robustly as before. Ultimately, the board and Tony Jones decided that a more egalitarian structure with less emphasis on fundraising was more in keeping with the nature of Emergent Village as a network of friendships.

“As a frequent critic of church institutionalization, I am convinced that the de-institutionalization of Emergent Village is the right move,” said Jones. “It will allow more voices into the conversation and allow the network to grow in a more organic way.”

Emergent Village’s publishing partnerships with Baker Books, Abingdon Press, and Jossey-Bass/A Wiley Imprint will continue as before.

“We are thrilled with what Emergent Village has accomplished in the last three-and-a-half years, and we are thankful for the wonderful service of Tony Jones as national coordinator,” said Brian McLaren, former board chair and current board member. “Tony’s hiring was an important chapter in the life of the network, and now the open-sourcing of the network is the beginning of a new chapter.”

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CONTACT:
Tony Jones
Emergent Village
(612) 597-0441
jonestony@gmail.com
http://www.emergentvillage.com

Download this press release (PDF)

Welcome to the Reader's Forum

1Jim Barker 10/30/2008 11:46 PM

Smart courageous move…

2Theresa Seeber 10/31/2008 07:06 AM

Wow. I posted an encouragement and a prayer at the site that details the changes. So, here, I will take the time to praise God for what he is doing. Lord, you rock, and I love what you are about. Please bring unity to your church as a whole, and let us be instrumental in bringing your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. Let us never forget to praise you, adore you, and fall to our knees before you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

3Sam Andress 11/04/2008 12:53 AM

Tony, thank you for welcoming and serving us so well. You have shaped the trajectory of emergent village and have been a great encouragement to many of us journeying in this stream.

4Craig Detweiler 11/06/2008 03:02 AM

Thanks for your bold and insightful leadership, Tony. This is fascinating timing in the wake of the election of Barack Obama. We’re all in for some fascinating and invigorating years ahead…:)

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