It more subtle than that. Rather, it is more like how the shoreline changes on a lake. Trees near the shore eventually loosen their roots fromt he gorund and slowly fall into the lake, and then the purpose of the tree changes from shade and photosynthesis to cover for fish. It is still the same tree and the same lake, but the relationship between the two is different. The roots are still there, but they are serving a different purpose.

Perhaps the emergent church of christ is like a forming star. If the proto star reaches a critical temperature, then nuclear fusion begins and it is on its way to becoming a star. If a critical temp is not met, it remains a brown dwarf and never really reaches star status. Mysterious gravitational forces within protostars, forces scientists cannot yet explain, is important. If the gravity is strong enough to match the pressure withint he protostar, it has a chance to develop into a star. But it might not.

The main point with the star metaphor is that the entity changes, but remains the same entity.

So, something is astir in many curhce sof Chrust, and I do not belive it is originating with the formal elders and deacons and ministers hierarchical structure of the church. Rather it is originating in these centers of gravity within congregations and amoing members. It is emergent by the true definition of the word.