Synopses & Reviews
A round 25 years ago the evangelical church underwent a shift with the arrival of seeker-style churches. A whole generation of baby-boomers resonated with that approach and the movement was used greatly by God. But now there are rumblings around the country that the generations of teens, twenties, and thirties have changing perceptions and preferences. Some of the very "spiritual" things that were removed from churches are the very things that post-Christian generations are connecting with and finding attractive in a church.
The Emerging Church addresses this change and provides practical ideas on how churches can adjust and be more effective to reach emerging generations. Dan Kimball, founding pastor of Graceland, does not present his church as "the" new model, but offers a road map to help open the eyes of churches to some changes that are occurring in various places around the country.
Kimball explains the postmodern shifts and what practical implications that has for worship, preaching, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. He provides an encouraging cross-generational bridge between a new breed of young church leaders and those who have been in ministry for some time.
-- Graphs and charts summarizing shifts in the church and culture
-- Appendix with samples of Graceland vintage faith worship services
-- Appendix of recommended resources for reaching emerging generations
-- 2 color interior throughout
Synopsis
Learn how to connect with today's post-Christian generation to ensure the survival of your church. This book goes beyond theory and provides practical assisting for your particular church circumstances. For pastors, church leaders, and concerned Christians, Dan Kimball offers a riveting and easy-to-grasp exploration of how to approach worship, preaching, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership in today's changing culture. Includes sidebar commentary by Rick Warren, Howard Hendricks, Brian McLaren, Sally Morgenthaler, Chip Ingram, and Mark Oestreicher.
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-268).
Synopsis
Includes
Samples and photos of emerging church worship gatherings
Recommended resources for the emerging church
The seeker-sensitive movement revolutionized the way we did church and introduced countless baby boomers to Jesus. Yet trends show that today's post-Christian generations are not responding like the generations before them. As we enter a new cultural era, what do worship services look like that are connecting with the hearts of emerging generations? How do preaching, leadership, evangelism, spiritual formation, and, most of all, how we even think of "church" need to change?
The Emerging Church goes beyond just theory and gets into very practical ways of assisting you in your local church circumstances. There is no one right way, no model for us all to emulate. But there is something better. Dan Kimball calls it "Vintage Christianity": a refreshing return to an unapologetically sacred, raw, historical, and Jesus-focused missional ministry. Vintage Christianity connects with emerging post-seeker generations who are very open spiritually but are not interested in church.
For pastors, leaders, and every concerned Christian, Kimball offers a riveting and easy-to-grasp exploration of today's changing culture and gives insight into the new kind of churches that are emerging in its midst. Included is running commentary by Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Howard Hendricks, and others.