Resource:  Emerging Worship

Author:  Dan Kimball

Publisher:  Zondervan

Reviewer:  Cameron Hubiak

I can hear some of you thinking, please, not another book on what worship music should or shouldn’t be!  But the Emerging Worship is not focused on music at all.   It is a refreshingly honest and transparent journey of one man (former youth pastor turned senior pastor) asking such questions as, why do we as believers in modern America gather?  Why do we structure our modern worship services the way we do?   And why are so many teens and twentysomethings absent from church? 

The author, Dan Kimball, immediately draws the key distinction between a modern “worship service” where most come and fulfill the role of a spectator, to an “emerging worship gathering” (more biblical in nature) where people come to participate by serving; prepared to give something to God and their fellow believers.  From here the book is divided into two sections. 

The first section describes elements that distinguish emerging worship gatherings across the country and practical methods towards creating emerging worship gatherings.  The use of art, and visual media, a closer connection with ancient Christian customs, are a few of the many elements dissected.   Dan also shares several experiments at crafting emerging worship gatherings at his home church that have succeeded and others that, well, have not.

The second section of the book puts theory into action and looks at practical examples of several well known churches in America that have tried to change the format of their gatherings (or incorporate another gathering) in an attempt not to lose emerging generations.   Dan throws a welcomed curveball by including those that opt out of the traditional church route in lue of house churches.  The burgeoning house movement in England is explored as a possible precursor of what we will see here in America in the coming years.

Who is this book for?  Pastors that want to craft worship gatherings for emerging generations; worshipers that want to understand more about emerging worship gatherings and the importance of cultural relevance; youth or college pastors anxious to make some changes to their worship gatherings, but not entirely sure where to start. 

The style moderates between storytelling, personal reflection on lessons learned, and some analysis of various churches that are studied.   But as it has over 200 pages, replete with helpful websites, personal experience, and biblical truth, it’s not a book to read in one sitting.  If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably refer to it several times even after you’ve finished it.  Or you may want to make some comments on Dan’s blog, where you can do that as well as read additional chapters not included in the book.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 21st, 2005 at 9:18 am by Terry and is filed under
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