Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
329th out of 764 books
—
612 voters
They Like Jesus But Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations
by
Dan Kimball
Kimball provides an overview of the six most common objections emerging generations have with church and Christianity along with the biblical answers to these objections and examples of how churches are facing this challenge.
Paperback, 271 pages
Published
February 22nd 2007
by Zondervan Publishing Company
(first published February 13th 2007)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
790)
They Like Jesus but not the Church is a must read for those who want to reach emerging generations while speaking the truth. The book is divided into three parts – Why Emerging Generations are Changing, What Emerging Generations Think About the Church, and How the Church Can Respond.
I was especially helped by an illustration of syncretism in our culture he observed in a TV sitcom. Kimball emphasizes the need to form friendships first, listen to what others believe, understand what attracts them...more
I was especially helped by an illustration of syncretism in our culture he observed in a TV sitcom. Kimball emphasizes the need to form friendships first, listen to what others believe, understand what attracts them...more
Okay... I bought this a while ago because it looked interesting enough to get me to pull it off the shelf. I just started reading it yesterday and today I am finished. I kid you not when I say this book was so very interesting that I could not barely put it down. I was intrigued by the topics that Dan brings up and how I too shared some of those same beliefs or feelings about the church today. Don't get me wrong I am pro-church without a doubt. However, at times I do struggle with these issues a...more
This book can be summarized as follows: "Evangelism works a lot better if you're not an asshole about it."
Of course, Episcopalians are frightened as all get-out of the "e" word, as we call it, but at some point, we've got to deal with the Great Commission of Matthew: Go out into the world and make converts. Besides for our own diffidence, we also have to deal with the loss of the community-based aspect of church. There was a time, even in the United States, when church was where it was happening...more
Of course, Episcopalians are frightened as all get-out of the "e" word, as we call it, but at some point, we've got to deal with the Great Commission of Matthew: Go out into the world and make converts. Besides for our own diffidence, we also have to deal with the loss of the community-based aspect of church. There was a time, even in the United States, when church was where it was happening...more
Really enjoyed this book, though I think I'd enjoy I Like Jesus But Not The Church because that book is directed towards people like myself whereas this book is directed towards church leaders trying to coax people like myself back to the church. My only critique of this book was when it came down to views of controversial topics such as women's roles in the church and whether or not you believe homosexuality is a sin. The author was basically telling church leaders, "Yes they're all going to he...more
Exactly as the title says, this is a collection of reasons Christians are not good reflections of the character of Christ. Doesn't tell you what to do about it, but gives insights into the world's views and leads you toward making some changes. Perception is everything. It is a good read for those who have entered the Christian bubble, surrounding themselves with only church-related friends, activities, interests, etc., forgetting that there is a world out there that doesn't get it. The author i...more
The book has three parts: (1) "Why Emerging Generations are Changing;" (2) "What Emerging Generations Think About the Church;" and (3) "How the Church Can Respond."
He makes some good points about the changing culture. One of the premises of the book is that we live in a "post-Christian" culture. Although it might have been safe to assume that everyone--regardless of whether a person was a Christian, went to church, or had ever been to church--knew the basic ideas of Christianity, sin, etc., that...more
He makes some good points about the changing culture. One of the premises of the book is that we live in a "post-Christian" culture. Although it might have been safe to assume that everyone--regardless of whether a person was a Christian, went to church, or had ever been to church--knew the basic ideas of Christianity, sin, etc., that...more
Enjoyable. The title sounded like this would be a liberal controversial book. Instead, I found it to only be a controversial book. His primary goal is to open the eyes of the church regarding how the western world views Christianity. He correctly points out that we live in a "post-christian" world today.
Dan Kimball definitely values the church and gathering of believers. He likes to use emergent terms like "missional", "emerging generations", "kingdom living",and last but not least "beer". Howev...more
Dan Kimball definitely values the church and gathering of believers. He likes to use emergent terms like "missional", "emerging generations", "kingdom living",and last but not least "beer". Howev...more
If you haven’t read Dan Kimball’s latest book, They Like Jesus, but Not the Church, grab your keys and head to the nearest bookstore. It is hailed by Lee Strobel as “a powerful and passionate wake-up call for the American church.” Kimball has a message you and I need to hear.
In a matter of years, America has rapidly become a pluralistic society. There are more religions practiced in the United States than any other country in the world (Eck 2002). This has profound significance for church minis...more
In a matter of years, America has rapidly become a pluralistic society. There are more religions practiced in the United States than any other country in the world (Eck 2002). This has profound significance for church minis...more
While a lot of the material in this book is repeated, and then repeated again, this book was an eye opener. With a clear and engaging writing style, the author shows the reader how the new generation views the church and where many churches are going wrong in their evangelism attempts. An important book! Unfortunately, the less formal writing style might have many in the books target demographic overlook it as a serious reference.
As an evangelical I appreciate Dan Kimball's writing as someone who comes from this same stance but at the same time is filled with love for those who might be deemed "outsiders" by others. I believe this book is an important resource to help us understand questions that new generations are asking.
It's a good book and Kimball gives some really good insights for people that live in the Church bubble. Most of us get annoyed and/or bored with the standard Church held over from the 20th century when every person was churched. America is basically post-Christian nowadays. Obviously more in places like NYC or LA but even in the Bible belt. The old ways of doing things won't fly anymore and Kimball tackles some of the consistent perceptions/misperceptions "emerging generations" have of Church: S...more
Kimball is another emergent-type who is writing on a topic that is quickly wearing thing. His points are mostly valid, his conclusions are inconclusive and the body of his work is unoriginal. That being said its not that big of a book and probably worth reading.
While it took me awhile to get through this one, I'm glad I read it! I have heard many of the criticisms in the book from my own 18 year old daughter. I hope more Christians read the book and act on the recommendations. It really doesn't hurt to spend time with non-Christians, and who knows maybe you will be the one to get them to change their thinking about us!
Aug 05, 2011
Werner J. Swart
added it
this was truly and amazing book that challenged my own appreciation of the culture in the world we are living in. i learned so much and the chapter on the church and homosexuals was particularly interesting.
A very good read. Not all of it neatly translates from the American to the British church situation, but there are many things here which the British church would do well to read, take to heart and act upon.
Walks you through the thoughts and feelings of the unchurched and their stereotypes of the church. Provides simple insights to move the church away from those stereotypes. "...our calling is to live out our faith in our culture so that people see that not all of Jesus' followers fit the stereotypes." -Dan Kimball
Dan is informative in his analysis and very fair in examining his thesis and conclusion. I cannot escape the fact that the Jesus they like is the Jesus of their own invention, not the Jesus of the New Testament.
I like Bill Clinton but not the democrats if you let me define Bill Clinton. After all he is a moderately overweight baby boomer who struggles with his weight and fast food hamburgers and can't break 80 on the golf course. I think that Bill could be a lot of fun to be around.
Nevertheles...more
I like Bill Clinton but not the democrats if you let me define Bill Clinton. After all he is a moderately overweight baby boomer who struggles with his weight and fast food hamburgers and can't break 80 on the golf course. I think that Bill could be a lot of fun to be around.
Nevertheles...more
At first I wasn't really impressed with the book, but the more I read it and looked at my own life and te people that I'm around is when it really started to grow on me. I was really excited to see Dan Kimball tackle the hard questions that are out there about Christianity. The reflection questions in the end of the chapters were helpful for me too. I also enjoyed how Kimball tackled the theological responces to these questions. It really inspired me to be much more intentional in my own studies...more
Really appreciated the authors take on ministry and evangelism. As well as the interview he shares. Ministry so often distances us from people we desire to help.
Nov 19, 2009
gina
is currently reading it
must read for christians who really want to share the Good News of Jesus... not the oppressive news of "THE CHURCH" (which may be a lot of rules and judgments)
Great book. I think this particular book was geared toward pastors, but I think every Christian would benefit from reading this.
Dan Kimball does a fantastic job of keeping it simple, yet challenging. See my full review at http://cybertsunami.typepad.com
fantastic...great conversation about talking to people who may be interested in God but not interested in church. loved it.
Teaching a class on the emerging generation and this book was a great resource.
Mar 12, 2010
Terry
is currently reading it
Just started reading but looks interesting.
This book is a life changer.
Was a really good group study
Nov 11, 2010
Tim Martin
added it
great book read it....
As a 30 year old male who loves Jesus, this book speaks to our generation by our generation. Some points, comments, and statistics given in this book will make many Christians cringe. A real eye-opener and makes me realize that as Christians, who claim to be striving to be like and glorify Jesus, we are not doing a very good job at going outside our "safe" walls of the church.
Some really good discussion of how Christians today aren't doing very well at actually representing Christ to the world around them (the section on the subtle pressure to conform is especially good). However, there were some points at which I didn't agree with the author as much. Worthy of a read if only to potentially challenge one's stance on the issues discussed.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| how we look at the church? | 1 | 3 | Jul 06, 2011 03:27pm |
![They Like Jesus But Not the Church [With DVD] (Paperback)](http://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png)
Dan was born and raised in north eastern New Jersey, and got his BS in Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University. Dan was a drummer in a rockabilly/punk band for many years and lived in London, England for a year playing in the band. After the band ended, Dan went to Israel and lived there for several months studying the Bible on his own to see whether Christianity was a valid faith, o...more
More about Dan Kimball...
![Sacred Space: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Multisensory Worship Experiences for Youth Ministry [With CDROM]](http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347478375m/2998655.jpg "Sacred Space: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Multisensory Worship Experiences for Youth Ministry [With CDROM]")
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Mar 12, 2009 06:32am