“The buildings in which various churches gathered changed to reflect new cultural influences. Cathedrals, stained glass windows, and hymnals were all forms of emerging worship at one time….We shouldn’t be threatened by it [different expressions of worship], nor should we condemn forms of worship that don’t feel comfortable to us. It doesn’t mean previous forms of worship are invalid; just that new expressions are emerging – and will continue to emerge.” p9
“The emerging church desires new wineskins for worship. These new wineskins are needed in response to our new postmodern culture. It is a terrible mistake to ignore this, and a somewhat arrogant one if we still believe that how we currently worship is the one and only way to worship God.” p9
Quote from Bill Hybels:
“What I keep coming back to is that the alternative [of not starting a new worship service and minsitry] is unthinkable. For anybody to sit idly by and watch one-third or 40 percent of the congregation disappear, it is unconscionable… You can’t do nothing. Whatever it is that you try, at least you will be able to stand before Christ one day and say we gave it our best shot…We never quite figured it out, but we certainly did try!” p17
“As we experiment with creating worship gatherings, we need to always remember it isn’t about us and our dreams – it is about Jesus and his Church. It isn’t about being creative – it is about Jesus and his Church. It isn’t about rethinking our churches – it is about Jesus and his Church. With that in mind, our hearts and attitudes should reflect this truth whether things get rough or things go well!” p21