Emergent, pomomusings and The Christian Century
September 25, 2006
Above is this week’s front page of The Christian Century website. The current issue has an article on the emerging church that highlights Jacob’s Well and Tim Keel. The article is pretty good and gives a pretty fair look at Jacob’s Well (I’ve never been — any members want to chime in?). At any rate, you might recognize the photo they’re using for the article from here. They wanted to use my photo from when Jonny Baker, Karen Ward and I led an alt.worship gathering at Princeton Theological Seminary, fall of 2005. Anyway, check out the article here.
Posted in 
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
September 25th, 2006 at 8:19 am
I love the article. I resonated especially with this: “Artists have a nose for propaganda,” Keels says, and they often smell it on evangelicals.” I wrote something similar to that here.
We have a lot of artists in our church, and I am one myself. I am thankful for artists’ keen sensitivity to manipulation. It helps keep us honest. thus spoke churchpundit!
September 25th, 2006 at 10:22 am
My question is this, why do so many USAmerican emergent churches still use rock bands and many at the front, for worship. When are we going to move beyond a rock concert feel in church? Even if it’s grunge and not feel good, gosh i’m in love with Jesus crap, it’s still music by a band. Worship is not all about music and when music is used, there are more creative ways of using it. Look at emergent churches in the UK, like grace in London and ikon in belfast. Come on American emergent churches, find something REALLY new and creative.
September 25th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
Cool. I have a photo in the article as well (if they used it) — the one of Tim preaching.
Anyway, to answer Adele’s question… We worship in the way we do mostly because of the physical constraints of the church building. It was built in the very early 1900’s and doesn’t leave much to be altered. At some point, the church may move, but I think it would be a shame — mostly for the fact that so many years of church history will be left behind.
Anyway, the band used to play down on the floor — where Tim preaches — but more pews had to be added, forcing the band up on the stage.
Your question is valid, but there are many of us who enjoy the “traditional” church setting — even if the actual gathering is not.
September 25th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Thanx Tim! I wasn’t picking on your church, per se! Just the emergent churches in general in US America. i respect that your grunge music is befitting to your community and not trying to knock it. it’s just not much new in the way of worship with music except the styles and even those at times are similar to my evangelical roots. i guess i am just burned out on music/band-led worship. Cheers! Adele
September 25th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
I guess the option of music in worship comes down to some simple choices:
Music or not? (and not is certainly viable)
If there will be music:
Live or recorded (can’t think of any other options)
Recorded music can work well as “atmosphere” and background, but it’s not very organic.
Live music is limited to the type and quality the community has available, which is often enough, even if it’s only a single instrument and singer leading (presuming the single instrument is guitar/keys of some sort and not a tuba.)
Live music is also most likely to fit the values and style of the community.
I guess the DJ style is a blend of live and recorded, but that also requires indigenous talent.
So, Adele, what type of music do you prefer these days?
September 25th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Hi Dave, i guess dj style and atmospheric/background music would be my choice as well as a jazz band in the background, not out in front where the focus is on them. Thanx for asking! :)
September 26th, 2006 at 1:58 am
I have been reading your blog these past few months, and I am so thankful! We here in the midwest are constantly subjected to what is known as “traditional theology”. These people still believe in such archaic views as the virgin birth, the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection of the body…
I eagerly look forward to your thoughts on progressive theology! Keep it coming.
September 27th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Adele, I know you weren’t trying to knock my church. ;) I was just offereing a different perspective.
As for the “grunge” title… I don’t really agree with it — and I should have mentioned it before. It’s definitely on the rock side, though, which I won’t argue. Mike, our main worship guy, fronts an alt.country band here in KC. That’s what really comes through to me. This week, we had some different guys lead and the worship had more of an Irish feel. Sometimes it is totally stripped down to bluegrass instruments.
So, to call what we do “grunge”… Well, that’s mostly a misnomer.
September 27th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
What is so archaic about the virgin birth, Holy Spirit and the resurrection of the body? I guess you might be sarcastic on this but if not I would like to know what is so archaic about those things unless you feel Jesus wasn’t God which in my opinion is archaic.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:45 am
Way to get your photo in there. That’s great.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:38 am
Just in case you didn’t know, you made the slice of laodicia website. Great article on you.
Later