Modernism is often pictured as pursuing absolute truth, linear thinking, rationalism, certainty, the cerebral as opposed to the emotional, in turn, which breeds arrogance, inflexibility, a lust to be right and the desire to control.

Postmodernism, by contrast, recognizes how much of what we “know” is framed by the culture we live in – it’s controlled by emotions and aesthetics and heritage, and can only be intelligently held as part of a common tradition, without overbearing claims to being true or right.

Modernism tries to find unquestioned foundations on which to build the house of knowledge and then proceeds with inflexibility; postmodernism denies that such foundations exist and insists that we come to “know” things in many ways, not a few of them lacking in firmness. Modernism is hard-edged and, in the domain of religion, focuses on truth versus error, right belief, confessionalism.

Generally speaking, Postmodernism is gentle and, in the domain of religion, focused upon relationships, love, shared tradition, integrity and authenticity in discussion.

Emerging leaders see a very clear contrast between modern culture and postmodern culture and attempts to connect the divide by questioning frames of context, source of knowledge, and of particular concern; foundation, scope, and validity.

Because of these questions, critics characterize Emergents as protestors against traditional Evangelicalism and, all that it understands as modernism. In Dan Kimball’s The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations, he points the way forward to reach a new generation of people who have moved on, whether generationally or culturally. Emergents are motivated then, by a desire to reach people who have no interest in traditional approaches and stances.

Kimball’s book offers a profile of what postmodernism might embrace: it accepts pluralism, embraces the experiential, delights in the , and is comfortable with narrative, with what is fluid, global, communal/tribal, and so forth.

He believes worship should be multi-sensory, symbolic, and an emphasis on the visual. Suggestions include crosses and candles, incense, communion services without sermons, changing the geography of the room, different expressions of worship at any one time, and perhaps going off to do a bit of journaling. “Worship in the emerging church,” Kimball writes, “is less about looking out for what is on the cutting edge and more about moving back into our spiritual center with Jesus as our sole focus.”

Of note, the sermon is only one part of the worship gathering. Here the preacher teaches how the ancient wisdom applies to kingdom living; the preacher emphasizes and explains the experience of who the truth is. The scriptural message is communicated through a mix of words, visual arts, silence, testimony, and story, and the preacher is a motivator who encourages people to learn from the Scriptures throughout the week. Such preaching will be deeply God-centric rather than human-centered, and care should be taken not to insult people’s intelligence.

And finally, most preaching takes place outside of the church building in the context of community involvement and authentic relationships.