Emerging Worship
From Neoredemptive
| Emerging Worship: Creating Worship Gatherings for New Generations | |
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Dan Kimball
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| Book Review Policy |
Synopsis
Doc's Take
This book presumes you are already somewhere in the Emerging Church conversation, and suggests that adopting the forms it prescribes outside the context of a full-orbed emerging/Emergent approach to ministry would be just another sell-out to entertainment-driven consumerism. To my mind, this raises the question whether the theology that gives rise to it might not itself have compromised with (or been co-opted by) that same culture somewhere along the way. I say that not to be dismissive, but in an earnest desire to engage the question; so much of the emergent critique is of a church culture dominated by ideas from popular culture, so the emerging alternative needs to go under the same lens it has applied to its predecessors.
I am worried that there is a significant swath of pastors out there who will uncritically try to adopt forms and patterns of post-modern, emerging worship experiences. I am concerned that they won't think carefully about the applicability of these forms to their own cultural contexts and demographics; what this means practically is that incense and prayer circles may not be so effective at engaging the attentions of upper-middle class white suburban congregations of late-40-somethings with tween only-children. More importantly, I am worried that there will be even less thought given to the theological implications of these approaches to cultivating and shaping worship experiences; the way we worship God says something about which God we worship, and there is a strong current in emerging worship expressions toward elevating mystery at the expense of proclaiming God's gracious self-revelation. (See also my thoughts on blended worship.)
Rockhopper's Take
One of the first principles I was taught in ministry (and to this day remains one of the finest as well) is this basic concept: theology produces methodology. In other words, what you believe directly impacts and influences what you do.
I take issue with churches that decide to embrace an emerging viewpoint simply from the desire to be part of the latest fad, or to be considered "cool" and attractive to a younger generation, or, in the very worst case scenarios, claim that they are progressive without actually growing.
To often churches are attempting to implement ancient practices of the early church without having any understanding for the basis of the rituals or practices. Many of these churches also do not have an idea of what they are trying to achieve through the use of these rituals. Finally, a good portion of these churches are completely missing their own defined purpose for existence - to become a part of the fabric of their culture in order to bring Christ's redemptive work into their community. They are willing to exchange meaning and mission to their local community for practices that, by their nature, may isolate the very audience and participants who make up their community.
I think Kimball and others within the emerging genre of church practice and strategy have developed meaningful expressions of faith and spirituality according to the vision and mission of their respective churches, but that does not necessarily mean that the elements of those practices are "plug-and-play" for churches everywhere. It is unhealthy to pretend to be something that you are not - and this rule applies very powerfully to church strategy. Churches and Christ-followers that find themselves already immersed within the emerging community and those who have been given a vision for developing emerging strategy based on their cultural context will find Kimball's book to be helpful and informative. To reiterate Doc's take above, Kimball does not offer the book as a formula, but as a starting point for churches interested in developing or expanding emerging experiences within their services.
