---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The task of these emerging churches, they…"
description: "\"“The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one of \"dismantling first and then...rebuilding.\" They realize that this makes the traditional c..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg"
---

#  The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one…

![“The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one of &quot;dismantling first and then...rebuilding.&quot; They realize that this makes the traditional church uneasy. But, the add, the rebuilding stage cannot be rushed. The work of undoing is essential. &quot;What to some may appear to be pointless…” quote by Jim Belcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg)

> ““The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one of "dismantling first and then...rebuilding." They realize that this makes the traditional church uneasy. But, the add, the rebuilding stage cannot be rushed. The work of undoing is essential. "What to some may appear to be pointless complaining is part of a larger process of dismantling ideas of church that simply are not viable in postmodern culture. The emerging church even calls the church to deconstruct itself before it reconstructs itself for ministry in a postmodern climate.””

[Jim Belcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-belcher/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Emerging churches must first dismantle outdated structures before rebuilding, a process that can feel pointless but is essential for relevance.

**In simple terms:** First deconstruct, then rebuild for modern relevance.

Key Takeaway

Allow intentional deconstruction before renewal.

Themes

religion church reform postmodernism deconstruction renewal

Mood

thoughtful challenging hopeful

Type

article theological strategic

When to use this quote

- church leadership training
- theological seminars
- community workshops

Key Concepts

institutional change theological adaptation cultural relevance

Questions to Reflect On

- What traditions must be let go?
- How can you balance deconstruction with continuity?

A Different Perspective

Rushing rebuilding can cause loss of identity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Church Deconstruct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-deconstruct-6138760/) [Dismantling Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dismantling-ideas-6138762/) [Emerging Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emerging-church-3169424/) [Emerging Churches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emerging-churches-4664397/) [Ministry Postmodern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ministry-postmodern-6138761/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

## Related quotes

> [“John Frame’s ‘tri-perspectivalism’ helps me understand Willow. The Willow Creek style churches have a ‘kingly’ emphasis on leadership, strategic thinking, and wise administration. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-keller/john-frame-s-tri-perspectivalism-helps-me-understand-willow-the/)

[Tim Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-keller/)

> [I'm choking to death with this emerging church!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-arnold/i-m-choking-to-death-with-this-emerging-church/)

[Jeff Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-arnold/)

> [So, the emerging church is about a re-imagining: re-imagining our preaching, our evangelism, and our worship services. A re-imagining of new types of churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-kimball/so-the-emerging-church-is-about-a-re-imagining-re-imagining-our/)

[Dan Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-kimball/)

> [And let me tell you 'Kingdom of God' language is really big in the emerging church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-pagitt/and-let-me-tell-you-kingdom-of-god-language-is-really-big-in-the/)

[Doug Pagitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-pagitt/)

> [What some now call 'emerging Christianity' or 'the emerging church' is not something you join, establish, or invent. You just name it and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rohr/what-some-now-call-emerging-christianity-or-the-emerging-church-is/)

[Richard Rohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rohr/)

> [Emerging church leaders are not impressed by those who defend the Christian faith by promoting definitive answers to convince those who doubt the faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-gibbs/emerging-church-leaders-are-not-impressed-by-those-who-defend-the/)

[Eddie Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-gibbs/)

> [The emerging church, reformed according to the needs of self-esteem-starved-souls under the Lordship of Christ… will help us to affirm the concept that 'While…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-h-schuller/the-emerging-church-reformed-according-to-the-needs-of-self-esteem/)

[Robert H. Schuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-h-schuller/)

> [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [The love religion is all that is written here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-love-religion-is-all-that-is-written-here/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

## More Religion quotes

> [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/)

[Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/)

> [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/)

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/)

> [The love religion is all that is written here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-love-religion-is-all-that-is-written-here/)

[Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/)

[Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/)

> [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/)

[Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/)

> [No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-religion-has-mandated-killing-others-as-a-requirement-for-its/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/)

[Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/)

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/)

[Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/)

> [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/)

[M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/)

> [Above Coblentz almost every mountain has a ruin and a legend. One feels everywhere the spirit of the past, and its stirring recollections come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-taylor/above-coblentz-almost-every-mountain-has-a-ruin-and-a-legend-one/)

[Bayard Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-taylor/)

[Browse all 58,737 Religion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one of \"dismantling first and then...rebuilding.\" They realize that this makes the traditional church uneasy. But, the add, the rebuilding stage cannot be rushed. The work of undoing is essential. \"What to some may appear to be pointless complaining is part of a larger process of dismantling ideas of church that simply are not viable in postmodern culture. The emerging church even calls the church to deconstruct itself before it reconstructs itself for ministry in a postmodern climate.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jim Belcher"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-belcher/the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they-contend-is-one-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Religion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-belcher/the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they-contend-is-one-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad4/jim-belcher-248083_religion_the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they_3235734.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The task of these emerging churches, they contend, is one of \"dismantling first and then...rebuilding.\" They…” — Jim Belcher",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Jim Belcher",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-belcher/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“The task of these emerging churches,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-belcher/the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they-contend-is-one-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-belcher/the-task-of-these-emerging-churches-they-contend-is-one-of/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
