Being a part of the conversation: A Primer

I've come across a number of people who have no idea what I'm talking about when I mention some of the more "relevant" subjects dealing with "progressive," "emerging," and alternative Christian faith. For any one who does not think it is relevant, just consider the Newsweek cover article from the week of Easter 2012 "Forget the Church follow Jesus." Everyone knows at least one person who is "Spiritual but not religious" - this is relevant.

So, although not exhaustive, I compiled a list of names, websites and resources that are helpful in familiarizing oneself with what is going on (it needs additions for sure, but here's my cursory attempt).

Patheos (patheos.com)
Huffington Post (religion column - huffingtonpost.com/religion)
Tony Jones (and his blog Theoblogy - tonyj.net)
Steve Knight (knightopia.com)
N.T. Wright
Barbara Butler Bass
Kurt Willems (Pangea blog)
Brad Brisco - (sentralizedgathering.com and missionalchurchnetwork.com)
Wild Goose Festival (wildgoosefestival.org)
Wikipedia article on "Emerging Church"
Tony Pappas (Executive minister at The American Baptists of Massachusetts)
Phillip K. Wyman (Founder and Pastor at "The Gathering" in Salem)
Sean Witty (Pastor at First Baptist Newton, MA)
Jim Powell (Weakchristian.wordpress.com)
Roger Thoman (Simple Church)

Books I'd recommend in order to have a fruitful conversation:

Born to Win (James and Jongeward)
The New Christians (Tony Jones)
A Generous Orthodoxy (Brian McLaren)
The Company of the Committed (Elton Trueblood)
The Apostolic Fathers (Lightfoot, Harmer, and Holmes)
No Place For Truth (David Wells)
Pagan Christianity (Frank Viola and George Barna)
Sacred Romance (John Eldredge and Brent Curtis)
A Little Exercise For Young Theologians (Helmut Thielicke)