Emerging Worship – Dan Kimball

Title: Emerging Worship

Author: Dan Kimball

The subtitle reads, “Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations”, which is a worth goal. And I think Kimball has explored and outlined how to create such a service which would be interesting and accessible to the “New Generation.” But I really don’t feel like he’s adequately answered the real question of “Should we?”

He does tell us why he thinks we should – but all those reasons are based more on the fact that more and more of the post-modern generation are not attending church or dropping out of it. I think the real question is not what can we provide that they will be interested in or that will be relevant to them, the real issue is what do they need – not what they want. Children many times know that they are hungry, but more often than not they will desire foods that provide no sustenance.

This is a sequel or follow-up to Kimball’s “Emerging Church”, and I do think it is a must read for every modern pastor and worship pastor because it is good to wrestle with the issues being raised. And Kimball asks some great questions (for the most part), he just has some very dangerous answers.
Church leaders need to explore these issues and understand biblically what is right and wrong with what Kimball is presenting here.

So yeah, I highly recommend this book – though it will be outdated within the next ten years, I believe. Just take it with a grain of salt and know that, though he doesn’t have all the answers, he is recognizing many issues within the modern church.

Other Links:
Dan Kimball’s website/blog
Leadership page for Kimball’s church
Vintage Church – Kimball’s Church