Dan Kimball, The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003).  Paperback, 266 pages. Reading Level Grade 10.

 Imagine a church service where non-Christians “testify” as to why they are not Christians. They talk about how Christianity is a man-made religion. They note that Christians are close minded and judgmental people. They say that Christians are arrogant to think that Christianity is the only true religion. Chapter 1 of Kimball’s book grabs attention by detailing such a church service. The first half of the book describes the culture shifts in America which include constructing spirituality from a variety of sources (syncretism), personal searches for meaning and truth, and a strong desire for community.

 Dan Kimball provides many compelling answers for how God can use the church to reach the emerging, postmodern, post-Christian generation. Kimball’s unique approach is to meld a postmodern message with iconic aspects of vintage Christianity. Candles, stained glass or pictures of stained glass, altars, and hymns provide some of the vehicles with which to experience the mystery of God in the emerging church. The second half of the book gives details of how he creates an experiential setting to encourage believers in worship.

 You might want to check out my review of John Burke’s No Perfect People Allowed. Burke’s book is an excellent companion to this book. Burke presents much of the reasoning and research that Kimball’s book lacks. Both, however, agree on many of the challenges facing churches seeking to reach people from today’s generation.

 Comments by Terry B. Ewell, April 2007.