The following is excerpted from Lighthouse Trails, Oct. 21, 2025: “Lighthouse Trails identified Mariner’s Church, the creators of the Rooted Pilot Course, as an ‘emergent/contemplative’ church as far back as 2009. With current teaching pastors such as Christine Caine, Ed Stetzer [Southern Baptist], and Doug Fields, and with their Rooted program, they remain in that category. 

This letter to the editor from one of our readers is an important warning because of the popularity of Rooted: ‘… a careful look shows that Rooted introduces and emphasizes contemplative concepts and practices. Participants are tutored in 7 Rhythms to practice in community and on an ongoing basis after the course concludes. A Rooted Covenanton page 15 is to be signed by participants, giving their agreement to attend all group meetings and keep things shared therein confidential. … Page 55 continues: Listening to God can be a bit mysterious. … By slowing down, emptying our minds, and praying, God can communicate directly to us through thoughts and ideas. Further tutoring in prayer techniques states: To yield means to be quiet after you have spoken to God and to listen for what He might say to you. If you regularly take time to listen, you will begin to hear God’s voice. Journal use is encouraged to record these thoughts and promptings as keeping record of what God says to you(pg. 61). Articles on Rooted Network’s website refer to Spiritual Formation, Ignatian exercises, and the use of experiential prayer practices including lectio divina and prayer labyrinths. … There are other pitfalls with Rooted, but an identification of its contemplative elements alone shows it should be marked and avoided.’”

Comment by Truth Uncensored Afrika:  Please download the book, A NEW FOUNDATION? from this website on the Emergent church movement.