We know that there is an emerging element to how church is done in the 21st century that we don't always understand or know how to engage. Retired Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams referred to this as "a mixed economy" of church.

The challenge is to find how to move forward in building this relationship while still maintaining a connection and reverence for our traditional church that is linked to the early church in ancient times.

An important element in finding ways to understand the forces driving the emerging church is to commit to finding ways to stay in conversation rather than to fall prey to fears that traditional and emerging forms are in competition with one another, leading to isolation from one another.

Instead, we can foster a healthy partnership in which we can learn from one another. In this way we can build upon the positive energy of our difference, as well as on the common foundations we share in our commitment to following Jesus Christ.

This can be likened to the relationship between Jerusalem in the early church, which linked The Way to the foundations of Judaism and the covenant between God and his chosen people.

And the early church also benefited from the experiences of Paul and Barnabus as they worked with the church in Antioch, to expand the boundaries of who is chosen, and by what means this is demonstrated. Given ways of being deemed "in," such as circumcision, were challenged and changed, and this was done in partnership and consultation with the apostles and leaders in Jerusalem.

There is energy in such dynamism, and in the process of trying new things, some wine may be spilled.

The key to finding ways to manage these dynamics is to enter into deep discernment around core values that are shared between the traditional and emerging forms of church: prayer and spirituality. We may differ in the forms of these core values, and they are the underpinning of both expressions of doing the work of the Church.

We are in the process of coming to grips with the idea that we can no longer rely on an attractional model of doing church. We have to understand that there are so many people living fragmented and disconnected lives that may have never had an experience of church, or that had negative experiences with traditional church. Yet it is a part of our baptismal covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to reach out to them in ways they can grasp.

God is already at work in the world. It is our challenge to open our eyes to how that is happening, and to find ways to engage that ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. To join in.

It is incredibly difficult sometimes to see how new forms of church are in alignment with God's purposes, when they seem to require such a significant shift in what those of us who love traditional church see as critical elements of worship. Yet just as Abraham was not only willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, he had the boy carry the firewood. It was this complete trust in God's plan that demonstrated the depth of the covenant between Abraham and God. It is just this willingness to sacrifice our own wills that allows us to connect with The Source, the Presence, that is God's will for us.

Many of the unchurched feel an incredible connection to stewardship of our resources and our Earth. A gathering of people to engage in a clean-up effort, a recycling plan, and helping others in meaningful ways, often in a local context, are some ways to create connections with God and one another that are appropriate to those who are not fed by traditional worship in a church. Other examples in this Diocese include the work of the Common Cathedral.

As we move past our existing views of what church is and should be, we must listen to one another, open our hearts to see it from another's point of view, all in an effort to hear the voice of God.

It can be hard to see what it is that is emerging, and how we can contribute to it in helpful ways. It is like looking at a puzzle that if we tilt our head, we can suddenly see the solution in the negative space.

Patience is critical in this time of change and adaptation. Not everyone will be at the same place at the same time, and it is the diversity of views and experiences that can help the process to live into fullness and richness.

Concrete methods to stay engaged in these change processes include creating and maintaining mutual small groups to share learnings and challenges.

It is in the building of trusting and personal relationships that mutuality is created. This affords opportunities for both traditional and emerging church to stretch, grow and strengthen.

There are a number of elements to supporting a mixed economy of church. These range from small to large events and opportunities.

At the small end of the scale, a commitment to regular small-group work is demanding and important to staying in touch with God's voice and one another's.

At a bigger level, community events that are targeted to meet existing and unmet needs puts a face on the emerging church, and allows increased interaction with others who can help and inform us about what is important to them.

Finally, on the biggest scale, are big events that help us to demonstrate what it is, and who we are, in sharing our vision of bringing God's Kingdom to reality in our world.

This again is about mutuality: mutual commitment and mutual seriousness of purpose.

Sometimes it seems this emerging force is pulling us apart. There are so many threads that exist, and we may question what it is that holds us in common.

And the answer to what holds us together is incredibly simple: it is Jesus, and what Jesus helps us see in the world, in one another, in ourselves.