Mosaic and a Missional Ethos

May 4, 2007 | Filed Under church planting, gospel, missional |

mosaic.gifI returned from Origins yesterday. I found the majority of the time to be profitable on several fronts. I definitely have a new found respect for McManus. While I had read three of McManus’ books in the past there were times I wonder just a bit about their philosophy of ministry. I have to admit that the metaphors of wind, water, wood, fire and earth used for Mosaic’s core values didn’t “click” for me in the past. However, after hearing McManus and others from the Mosaic community describe each of their five values I began to understand better the what and why of Mosaic’s ministry. The high level of risk-taking that the Mosaic community is willing to take to connect and share Christ with unbelievers is impressive and inspiring.

A few thoughts (or quotes) that resonated with me through the week included the following:

“Maturity is the gap time between what you know and obedience.”

“Mosaic is an ‘Activist Community.’” Meaning they are actively involved in God’s activity in the world.

McManus: “The reason we (the church in America) are not relevant on Sundays is because we are not relevant during the week.” And on the flip side, “If we are relevant during the week then we will be relevant on Sunday.”

For church leaders who want to develop a missional ethos in their community they must be the ones who create the environment. In other words we must first be the person who reflects the environment desired or others simply will not be influenced/shaped by the environment. I appreciated the emphasis on the power of environments.

When speaking about creating a proper balance between times when the faith community is “gathered” verses when the community, as a group and individually are “scattered,” McManus believes it is analogous to breathing. When we breathe we both inhale and exhale.

McManus was asked when is it too soon to send new followers of Christ “back out?” He replied “It is never too soon but it can be too late!” In other words if new believers stay within the church culture for very long they, in many cases, can no longer relate to the culture or even have the desire to connect and share with the culture.

The core of an Apostolic movement is: Faith, Hope and Love.
Our communities of faith must:

Live by Faith (defined by risk and sacrifice)
Be known by Love
Be a voice of Hope

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1 comment so far
  1. Jay Lewis May 7, 2007 9:24 am

    Brad,
    Boy do these words ring true. I especially related to the comment and quote, “McManus was asked when is it too soon to send new followers of Christ “back out?” He replied “It is never too soon but it can be too late!” In other words if new believers stay within the church culture for very long they, in many cases, can no longer relate to the culture or even have the desire to connect and share with the culture.

    I pray the church would do more “exhaling!” If we do not exhale we hyperventilate! Great insights Brad!