We have set up a “Ning” site for those who aren’t feeling the Facebook vibe…and for those addicted to social networking sites.

Check us out: http://baptimergent.ning.com/

I have a lot of writing to do aside from my exploits in the blogosphere. Plus, I would like to showcase other Baptimergent voices on the site here.  If you would like to write a post for this blog, let my know by leaving a comment here.  Give me more than a “yes.” Pitch an idea for your post. I’ll get you to e-mail it to me, and I’ll put it up.

I’ll look at adding some administrators a little later. If you are down with that, let me know as well.

Word up!

I’ll try to make this a monthly roll call sort of thing for us here at Baptimergent. Let us know what you’ve been reading and throw out some reviews if you can. Since we just finished May, let us know what you read last month that’s worthy of our attention as ministers, theologians, rebels, and heretics.

Since I have friends who, like me, are “amazonaholics,” (Tripp) I’ll set a max at five books. Quasi-annotated would be nice, but lets not get carried away. If you just want to slap some titles down, we’ll welcome those as well.

I don’t know about you, but I want to meet you folks. I have some ideas about that, and I know you do too. So let’s start kicking around some ideas.

1. Shall we gather?

2. Where?

3. When?

4. What for?

I have found, as you may well have too, that gathering around a project is more meaningful and worthwhile than gathering around information. Conversation is a given, but in these days, conversations need to be embodied. We can get to know one another while participating together in something that matters. You can share project ideas in response to #4 above.

I’ll post my ideas as comments start coming in.

We’ve had this little virtual network going for a little over a month now. It has been fun watching the Facebook group grow. Last I checked we were at the 212 mark. What’s more, we have friends logging in from all over the world. Below are some simple stats about our network.

Nationalities Represented: Romania, China, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, Australia, Japan, United States

U.S. States Represented: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., Washington

So far, one can find Baptimergents in 10 countries, and in 25 states in the U.S. I look forward to seeing what new nationalities and states get added to our network of friends. Let me know if I missed anyone!

As many of you probably already know, the Pew Forum’s survey of the religious landscape in America was very telling.  Some statistics that caught my attention as I looked closer at the other chapters of the Forum’s report were those of the Changes in America’s Religious Affiliation. This can be found in chapter two of the report.

The report shows that of all Protestant denominations, the Baptists have had the greatest net loss from changes in affiliation. The greatest benefactor of changes in affiliation have been nondenominational Protestants. Of all religious groups, Catholics have suffered the greatest net loss due to changes in affiliation. The most telling stat is that the fastest growing group in America are those who do not identify with any religion or tradition.

To download the report, go here. The full PDF download is in the top corner to your right.

Please comment on some or all of these questions….

What is your read on these changes in affiliation?

Why do you think Baptists are leading the way among Protestants in losing adherents?

What comes to mind when you read that the fastest growing group in America are the unaffiliated, i.e. the unchurched? Fearful resentment? Hopeful optimism? Devious satisfaction? Subversive relief?

If you want to waste some time this weekend, here are some worthy options…

You could spend the weekend looking over Steve Knights “Mega-Post” at the EV site.

This has been up a few weeks, but in case you haven’t checked it out, Tripp has a great interview with John Crossan over at Homebrew.

I’ve got a good interview with Phyllis Tickle over at Dogwood…if I do say so myself. ; )

Feel free to suggest some other links.

I had a Presbyterian friend ask me if, “emergent baptist,” is an oxymoron like, “upbeat presbyterian.” I told him that I like to call it a paradox since that sort of thing is all the rage these days.

I have had several conversations with folks in other traditions who carry a healthy skepticism about Baptists being able to emerge from much of anything. They have good reasons for thinking so, and we know those reasons and many more as insiders.

I am glad their skepticism is largely unfounded. There are many of us “Baptimergents” out there, and we are gradually finding one another via blog, Facebook, and Emergent gatherings.

Here’s something I’d like to know. How did your emergence begin? Was it a book your read? Was it a nagging feeling inside? Was it a relationship? Was it a theological breakthrough? Was it all of the above? Click the “comment” button and let us know.

Many of us are plugged-in on a regular basis. Whether its listening to selections on your computer while you work, cranking it up on the drive home, or jamming while you mosey around the house, we’ve all got favorites we like to listen to. What are you listening to these days? It can be anything from music, to podcasts, to lectures. Leave your top five in the comment section. (albums, songs, lectures, sermons, audio books, etc.)

If you’re a mix-taper from the days of old you will love this site.

Tony Jone’s first webisode on “Dispatches” is quality. Go here.

Awesome “Speaking of Faith” episode on NPR with shout outs to John Leland and Isaac Backus.

Tripp has one of his sweet songs up over at Homebrewed Christianity.

A good religion and politics resource at the Pew Forum.

A great post on the recently “out” Azariah Southworth over at The Parish.

Have a great weekend!