Quite interesting. My journey is a mini-version of his, of course all are unique. Raised Mennonite, went kind of Baptistic/Keswick into a sect, then Missionary (like the Christian & Missionary Alliance), fundamentalist Baptist, almost five point Calvinist Baptist, evangelical, considered considering Roman Catholicism, Vineyard and the charismatic side, and now the Evangelical Covenant Church denomination. But also theologically coming back full circle to my Mennonite roots while picking up much I consider valuable along the way. Looking back I think we would have been wise remaining with the Missionary denomination, though I’m oh so thankful for what I picked up after that. Or to have remained with the Mennonites at the beginning of my new life in Christ as a last teenager, though that turns topsy=turvey just where my life would have gone. Who knows?
I do feel settled now, but it took me some time to get there. During our time early in Vineyard (possibly prior, though I don’t think so, and certainly reinforced at least through
Vineyard) and through their influence, N.T. Wright’s “The Challenge of Jesus” was a turning point for me, then to find Scot McKnight blogging after loving his two commentaries in the NIV Application series, and getting through a few bumps early on with regard to the emerging ride……
Todd’s book does look interesting, and I remember he was close to John Wimber, and had some close association with Dallas Willard. I’ve appreciated what I’ve read from him. I think it’s ideal and good to do what Eugene Peterson suggests and largely did (in his case leaving his Pentecostal upbringing and remaining in Presbyterian U.S.A.): be committed to one denomination, of course remaining.
But there are times for good reasons when one can no longer do that. But that would have been my preference. (I’m rather “old-school” I guess, talking about all these denominations!)

I don’t know anything specific about Mr Hunter, and this isn’t really about him anyways…
But there just seems something too convenient about finding your flavor of the month (or year, or decade) when it comes to what the NT describes in terms of intimate union. It seems like the last thing people need is yet another reason to abandon relationships for greener grass.
To date, I only know of one pastor who has received Christians from another church with the words, “what are you doing here?”
“You need to go back where you came from and work it out with those people.”
Shouldn’t there be more people saying that?

Yes Steve. Good point. I knew of one pastor I think who did that. And this reminds me of a similar point, or related, which Bonhoeffer makes in “Life Together.” To find some sort of idealized Christian community amounts to departing from Christ.

anne lamott

beckyr,
I’m not sure I’d call that a “journey” but a wild and crazy ride!

Love it! I’ve been “journeying” alongside the Anglican Church for quite awhile now; the liturgy and yet varying allowance for convictions definitely adds to my spiritual experience of Christ. Good show!

I started my journey 27 years ago in a evangelical church that morphed into a emerging expression. I then moved into a pentecostal church and helped them to emerge into a similar state.
I now find myself “coming home” in the angilcan movement in england, just weeks away from attending a bishops’ panel for selection to become an ordinand.
Journey is key and journeying with Christ is essential.

Scot– Very interesting. In particular, I am interested his discussion and experience “. . .on ecclesial practices and how ecclesial practices form us.” As valuable as these individual disciplines and practices have been for so many of us, I am really interested in understanding better how the practices of the church can shape a church. While I am aware of some of these practices/disciplines, I am interested in his own experience with this.

It is refreshing to hear of people on a journey and to know that I’m not alone. Now, if only we in the Church could embrace one another’s journey, rather than condemning them as heretical, backslidden, etc. God may call some to the same church for 30 years and He may call others to a different journey that takes them to not only several churches but several denominations, all while they increasingly grow in their faith and make great contributions to His bride. I know that the above behavior could be described as church-hopping, and for some that is true, but not for everyone. Before we just to conclusions about people, let’s get to know them first and hear their story. We may just be surprised.

To beckyr in #4: I loved Anne Lamott’s book, Grace Eventually. I will have to read more of her books. She is one honest person, I would say.
To Steve S in #2 who said more pastors need to advise people who church hop with: “You need to go back where you came from and work it out with those people.” That SOUNDS good, Steve, but there are some people who are coming out of places that are truly abusive and the best thing for them to do is leave. Likely, that is the exception. (Or maybe I should say “hopefully.”) Or, the place they come from may have a belief system that is so opposed to what the person believes that the person cannot, in good conscience, stay with that congregation/denomination/whatever you want to call it. If they are leaving over petty things, then yes, the pastor is right to recommend they work things out. Families will have squabbles but families should not break up over squabbles, but families sometimes need to break up if the environment is a toxic or deadly one.