I get this. But I’d also like to nuance it somewhat on a few points, remembering some fine points of church history.

First, remember that many of those little boats are actually like
lifeboats that came to be, not because the sailors were abandoning
ship, but because for some very questionable reasons, they were
unceremoniously dumped overboard. For example, the Roman Catholic
Church jestisoned Huss and his followers (the Hussites, the Bohemian
Brethren, and ultimately the Moravians), not because of any real heresy
or wrong-standing, but so that the Hapsburgs could declare a crusade
against them in order to conquer their resource-rich land. Numerous
other groups could repeat this story, yet surely none of them should be
charged with schism.

Second, many head for the lifeboats in the hopes of saving the
drowning. In fact, they were commissioned to do so by their
mother-church. Initially, they made an effort to remain tethered to the
ship, but sadly, found those running the ship cutting their lines out
of jealous or malice. This appears to be the case with Methodism, which
Wesley intended to remain a renewal movement within Anglicanism until
those in the wheelhouse refused to ordain bishops for the work in the
New World.

To summarize thus far, while many little works can be accused of
abandoning ship, the motherships of historic Christianity must take
some responsibility for schism and fragmentation when they throw
someone overboard for dubious reasons or effectively cut the line of
those who become inconvenient to cover.

However, to this point, I’m merely describing the Protestant
splintering marked by increased divergence. Something quite different
is happening at the forefront of "the emerging church"… in many cases
their ecclesial trajectory is very intentionally towards convergence.
In their theology, their spirituality, their worship, and with some
patience, their ecclesiology, we are seeing many emerging churches
giving the old ways a second look.

To extend our analogy, the movement of the emerging church dinghys
appears to be back towards the big ships. Having cast off the prejudice
of modernism towards history, many of the emerging church leaders are
setting aside modern self-help and church-growth books in favour of the
Patristics, the desert fathers, the classical mystics, and the great
pre-modern poets and preachers. Their people are rediscovering liturgy,
icons, and contemplative worship such as the Taize phenomenon. They are
rebuilding working relationships and co-labouring with Priests and
Bishops on the great ships who are patient with them. The little boats
are gathering together in their own networks, and some of these are
drawing into the wake and shadow of the ancient cruiseships.

This is occuring right now in Landsburg, Germany, where groups such
as YWAM, the Vineyard, and the local Baptists are serving alongside
Father Thomas, the Monsigneur there, to restore fellowship and begin a
Christian youth movement in the very town where Hitler’s Youth was
first established. There is a oneness occuring that is nothing short of
a miracle right within a cathedral originally built to spite Luther’s
reform.

In the best case scenario, the admirals of these great ships will
take note and begin to throw lines of association out to the little
boats, offering an invitation and introduction back into more direct
fellowship. I see strong hints of this in Archbishop of Canterbury
Rowan Williams Lambeth address on June 27, 2006 entitled "Challenge and
Hope for the Anglican Communion." One wonders what grabbing a lifeline
will look like in the coming years.

In the worst case, the Admirals may order the guns to open fire or
simply run over the little boats. Those seeking their shelter might
find themselves orphaned all over again. Indeed, some groups that have
desired to return to the Orthodox fold have found the door locked and
simply opted to become an independent Orthodox denomination… an
oxymoron to say the least.

Some in the emerging church will continue to diverge because they
want to recreate ecclesiology on their own terms; they find this new
movement to be a good bandwagon, the newest launch in a fleet of
Christian trends.

However, to Ron and others who’ve reliably manned the "crow’s nest"
of the old ships over the years, I would say watch for those little
boats who are drawing near–who are starting to borrow your buildings,
your art, your books–they maybe looking for a line. Will they be able
to tie on without scuttling their own little boats?

grace and peace,

Brad Jersak