What is the "emerging church?" More conservative advocates take great care to distinguish between the "emerging" and "emergent church," while opponents tend to treat them synonymously, referring to both as the "postmodern" church (due to its tendency to imbibe contemporary culture). Proponents of the "emerging church" merely identify it as an ecclesiastic response to a "postmodern" society.

According to Mark Driscoll (a leader in the "emerging church") there are four strands to the movement as a whole. Firstly, the "emerging evangelicals" who hold to core Biblical doctrine but seek to make themselves and their churches as culturally relevant as possible, by incorporating novelties such as secular music and conversational preaching. Next is the "house church" movement which avoids forming large congregations, choosing instead to meet in homes, coffee shops, or via the Internet. Thirdly, are the "emerging reformers," including Driscoll himself, who hold to reformed traditions but embrace the use of charismatic gifts. Defenders of the "emerging church" movement contend that despite the presence of unbiblical practices, inappropriately worldly lifestyles, and irreverent gatherings, the core Biblical foundation of these three strands (forming the emerging church) is basically sound.