Though the subtitle is “creating worship gatherings for new generations,” Kimball spends much time explaining why the weekend worship gathering is not the heart of church, and in fact why one of the values of emerging generations would be to move away from this mindset that “church” in fact is not the weekend worship gathering but a group of people. That being said, he does spend plenty of time explaining philosophy behind the emerging worship gathering, and in the latter half of the book moves away from theory into practical examples of churches who are “doing it” so to speak, in various forms, including the current house-church movement and the British movement. He offers his opinions in both encouragements and criticisms on all examples given.

Overall, I think the book is an excellent read for anyone interested in the emerging conversation. Kimball does a tactful job of balancing the need for “creating worship gatherings for new generations” with warnings to remember that our focus lies on Christ and his ultimate calling on our lives to love God and love others.

I personally would love to participate in a more multisensory worship experience (goodness, anything that doesn’t require that I stand like a drone in my little line week after week and sing here, clap here, smile here, praise God here…sigh…I often wonder what they would do if I walked out into the aisle one week and just knelt on my face before God?). I would love to bring back some of the more ancient creeds of our faith, etc. Caveats? If we’re not on guard, we may just create another generation of consumeristic Christians who just want their worship whims met. Additionally, I am naturally pessimistic that people will ever learn to think for themselves, regardless of generation. Can “emerging churches” really do it? Time will tell.

The other night, I was chatting with my folks, helping them come up with a name for their new car. It’s sort of a family tradition, you see, that the first three letters on the license plate somehow will form the vehicle’s “name.” This particular new car’s license plate was presenting my mother with quite the conundrum, as she was being very picky about the name, and so I got roped into the process. First, I was searching the Internet for possible names. Then, I was on Libronix searching the Hebrew Bible for possible Hebrew names. Then, finally, as I’m wearing thin, my dad says to me, “How about some of those gods from Stargate?” Well I didn’t know about any of those gods (actually, Goa’uld, if you are at all familiar with the show), but as a last resort, I sighed and said quite seriously, “No, but I suppose now you’re going to make me get out my Dictionary of Ancient Deities?” And before he could answer, obligingly I went directly to the afore mentioned book and paged to the appropriate section of the alphabet in the index. Suddenly, my dad chortled and said with great sarcasm, “Yes, because everyone has a Dictionary of Ancient Deities just laying around.” I paused in my search with sincere surprise, as it dawned on me that it was in fact rather odd that I just happened to have a Dictionary of Ancient Deities at my disposal. What was even more odd was that it had stopped occurring to me that it was not quite normal! As all this flew through my brain, I could only reply back, “Well, I am sorry, but you have apparently raised a very strange daughter…”

Then again…this did all start because they had to find the perfect name for their car. And who’s strange?

I thought since I haven’t posted in just about a month now, it’s about time for me to say something about what’s been going on in my life and brain for the past month.

New Hampshire
We made a trip to New Hampshire for Calvin to interview at a church for a possible Director of Youth Ministry position. It was a fun but exhausting weekend, and are waiting to hear back on a yes or no. This has occupied much of our thoughts, as we have decided that we would like to take the position (by we I mean him, of course!) if they offer it to him.

Seminary Preparations
We continue to prepare for seminary, mostly getting financial aid in order, hoping that they are smart enough to see that yes we really will be in need this coming year, and what we made last year really has absolutely nothing to do with paying tuition next year while we are barely scraping by! I am very much hoping that they will understand this basic principle, even if the federal government does not, because I very much want their Team Ministry Grant, which basically means I can go to seminary tuition free (2 for 1 deal)! What a blessing this would be once we are done…

Mandy Jumps Outside Her Box
After Calvin convinced me that it would be good for me, I agreed to become part of a podcast group/team/thing for www.crosspointings.org and after many weeks of putting it off I finally actually did it. So it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and actually it was kinda fun, and I’m (okay Calvin you were right) glad I did it and will continue to be a part of this thingamajig, if only to stretch myself. (After all, I do intend on teaching…!) I don’t know if I contributed as much as the others did (sorry!), but if any of you people who know me in “real life” are reading this, you know this isn’t something I’d typically do! And for those of you who don’t know me in “real life”…my “box” is introverted and very shy in new situations. And I don’t talk very much until I’m comfortable. (And then I can be quite talkative…and maybe a little weird…but that’s besides the point) Anyways, to make a long story short, if you want to hear what I actually said (which wasn’t a whole lot, but I’ll get there eventually) you can find the podcast at: Crosspointings.org.

Politics and Religion
It’s actually rather amusing, the topic that we talked about on the podcast, because I had just recently finished reading and digesting a book by Gregory Boyd, The Myth of a Christian Nation. And I’d recommend it, as it was very good. I’ve been thinking much about that in the past month. Christianity and politics, that is. And I don’t like it. In fact, I have a lot more opinions than I mentioned on the podcast, but there you have it, that’s the shyness in me coming out in new situations. But while much of what he discussed I have agreed with for awhile, even before I read the book (especially in modern politics), I’ve been pondering especially about Christians and war, more specifically Christians in the military. It relates to me in a hard way because I’m a “military brat,” both my parents are retired Air Force, and I’d never considered some of the things he brought up.

The Emerging Conversation
The emerging movement has been on my mind a bit lately. Right now I’m reading a book that I’ve had laying around for quite awhile, but I picked up recently just for fun, Emerging Worship by Dan Kimball. Of course, you know me and weekend worship services…ick! Anyways, I think what brought it up recently (as I’ve been thinking about postmodernism and emerging and all this for 5 years now) was interviewing at this church, and what freedoms and limitations we thought we would have there in reaching this generation.

Back to the PhD
I think I have finally realized that I have to go straight on for my PhD after GCTS, there is just no way around it. I had toyed with waiting, settling, and doing it later, but…somehow I just know that’s not going to work. I decided I do really like Brandeis’ program, although there are other possible options in the Boston area like Harvard…I think most of all I just cringe at the thought of being stuck in Mass. for years….can I reiterate an earlier sentiment? ICK! Where do kids fit into this picture? Can I be away from my family for this long? These are the things that whirl in my head. But then…thoughts of Hebrew, and Ugaritic, and Akkadian, and mythology, and textual study, and did I mention Hebrew? dance like sugar plums in my head! It brings tears to my eyes. I’m getting carried away. Next topic.

Fun Time!
I’ve started playing Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria on the Playstation2. Okay, so that’s not that significant, but it’s pretty fun! I’d recommend it. I’m also reading Kendermore, part of the DragonLance: Preludes series about who else? Tasslehoff, my favoritest character! And, some wouldn’t consider this fun, but I’m also reading Myths from Mesopotamia. I, personally, think this is great fun. And fascinating too!

Oh Yeah…
I had a birthday!

I think that’s it. But if I think of anything else…well I guess I can always blog about it! So this was pretty long. I guess this is what happens when you don’t post for a month…