Session 10 & 11, Kimball: Rock Daddy

1. In his book Dan Kimball uses the analogy of a tree being planted (rooted) in Christianity and how the later people are born the farther outside that sphere of influence they will be. I agree with that theory and do think that the younger generations don't have as strong a Christian root system as those thirty years ago. However, if we continue to go with the plant analogy, then I believe there is hope. In my daughters 2nd grade science, I taught her that plants always grow toward sunlight, in fact we did an experiment to prove that. Therefore, if we as Christians can open our hearts and minds and allow the Holy Spirit to shine thru us we will in turn create that light that the unbelievers are seeking. How we do that is by being fluid. What I mean by fluid, is that, we as believers need to not become fixed on only one idea or way of worshipping, fellowshipping, outreaching. We have to be open to the world around us and see how and what is capturing the attention of unbelievers. What works now may not and probably won't work ten years from now. I think some of the tension we see in our current churches is from the fact that we have members of our churches who refuse to change.

2. I totally agree with the shift from Roman evangelism to Celtic evangelism. I have seen it just with in my lifetime. I can remember growing up experiencing Christians going door to door to deliver tracts or to share what the church was doing. I can even remember seeing street corner preachers and revivals. Yet, if you look around now a days the only (primarily) Christians still going door to door are the Jehovah's Witnesses. Now a days churches have websites or blogs in order to provide their information or services on line.
http://www.gccwired.com/ (This church has some awesome video clips of things they have done with music. Check out the "I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For" video. POWERFULL!)
http://www.unitedworshipexperience.org/
Rarely do you see any revivals and if someone were to stand on a street corner and evangelize today, he would more than likely be ignored or carted off to jail for disturbing the peace. In this day and age of its all about me; people are realizing that they have an inborn desire for fellowship. Therefore, as the church we need to change to be able to meet them where they are at.

3. For my EC worship service, I would pick a location that could in no way be associated to a church. A business building comes to mind, one that has the rafters and beams showing, is open and unrestricted. I would have comfortable chairs, sofas and such to sit on and throw rugs on top of the hard wood floors. It would be well lit, but have the ability to be able to isolate the light or dim it where needed. There would be speakers throughout and have a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. We would definitely have a coffee corner, with one of those industrial sized coffee makers so as to be able to make lattes, mocha's and the like. We would have music playing at the beginning prior to the service starting. Christian music that was similar to the current sound or trend that was playing on the radio. Dress would be way casual. In the summer I would sport shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops (maybe) and in the winter it would be jeans or more than likely sweats and a t-shirt and slippers. The time of the service would be at night.
The service itself would consist of scripture reading, sharing of issues or testimonies, singing and the sharing of a message. Since I like to wander when I talk and use my hands I would not have a pulpit or podium. That's all that really comes to mind right now.