Dan Kimball realizes that connecting with postmodern people requires more than a revitalized program or a rejuvenated worship team. For this reason Kimball provides both a helpful exploration of postmodern culture and practical ideas on how churches can reach the postmodern, emerging generations. You might find it helpful to read this book in conjunction with Brian McLaren's A New Kind of Christian.
Churches are noticing less and less emerging generations in their midst. The Emerging Church, winner of the 2004 Christianity Today Book Award, explores the cultural changes impacting churches and offers practical advice of how they can creatively reach emerging generations. Some of the "spiritual" things that were removed from churches are the very things that post-Christian generations are connecting with and find attractive in a church.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
5 of 5 Reviews Showing:
2 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Matt (PA), February 20, 2008
Dan writes about the emergent church and tells of his own experience in Santa Cruz. There are many good things in the book, but in the end it’s not all that different in regards to church. Dan calls for a return to "Vintage Christianity." Sounds great, but he doesn't go far enough and doesn't really rethink church. An analogy of what this book does: takes the wheel and puts low-profile tires and mag-rims on it...looks “better,” but it's still a wheel. In other words Vintage Faith Church is still the system of church-as-we-know-it; like it's been for 1700+ years. To really rethink church I recommend Going To The Root by Christian Smith (now very rare and expensive).
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Wes (Greenville, NC), May 10, 2006
Excellent. I can't say enough about this book. Kimball has his finger on the pulse of what communicates to the emerging culture. Read this book, but beware, this is not a blueprint of how to do this or that.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David R. Bess (US), February 11, 2005
I'm a little disappointed with some of the negative reviews here. This book does nothing to dilute Christian theology, but instead seeks to offer new methodology to meet the needs of younger generations. So many of the titles on the market today are addressed towards builders and boomers, while this book focuses more on busters and bridgers (youngest generations).
Kimball doesn't insist that everyone follow his particular methodologies here, he just offers new ideas for previously unreached people.
I recommend this book highly, especially to worship planners. The insights it gives are extremely helpful insight for reaching post-modern worshippers These folks are becomingly increasing common in our world today.
This volume is simply great!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Andrew Fetter (Newark, OH), January 10, 2004
An amazing book that actually doesn't just tell church leaders what to do, but how to do it. A great read for anyone interested in making small changes in the way in which we do church so that in 20 years we are relevant and not sacrificing new sacred cows. Read it and make sure you have a highlighter!!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tom Bullinger (Portland, OR), October 03, 2003
I read this book and it spoke about the very things I have been feeling, but couldn't explain. Our churches need change if we are serious about reaching emerging generations, and this book gives very practical examples and ideas of how church is changing. I also was pretty amazed at seeing Rick Warren and Brian McLaren both writing forewords in this and commentary.
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