emerging mosaic

Alex Mcmanus of Mosaic Church in LA has an interesting observation and reflection on the emerging church and Mosaic’s link to things emerging into the mystic… » Is Mosaic a part of the Emerging Church?

Here’s the interesting observation by someone outside the church

Recently a Los Angeles Times reporter was given the assignment to write an article on the “Emerging Church.” In doing her research she called me to talk about Mosaic. After she did her research and wrote the article, I spoke to her about why she chose not to include Mosaic. She had concluded from her research that Mosaic was not an emerging church because emerging churches tended to be “small, white and inward looking.” 

And the reflection from Alex on emerging church 

Mosaic is different from the “Emerging Church” not just in terms of ambition, ethnicity, and mission, but also in attitude and thinking. Many of those who take on the mantle of the Emerging Church seem to me to be burned out Church leaders who needed to bail on a Christianity that offered pat but empty answers. I consider this a good move. But, in contrast, Mosaic is more like a convert who is full of enthusiasm, joy and hope. The new convert moves with speed and intentionality toward Jesus, towards the scriptures, towards Christ following community, and towards the world in service and mission.

Everything Alex says and Mosaic LA  does is not gospel or perfect they don’t pretend that it is. But I think many who are embracing the emerging church mantle in the U.S. would do well to pay attention to the increasing perception of the make up and approach of the emerging/emergent church that seems to be more about disenchanted Christian than connecting people to God.

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Technorati Tags: Alex-Mcmanus, diversity, emergent_church, emerging church, emerging_church, missional_church, mosaic, Mosaic-LA, spiritual-practice

I found this interesting definition of a green house church at WatersEdge: David Rudd’s Blog

a greenhouse church is one which strikes a balance between the "organizational" model of the garage and the "organic" model of the meadow. the following marks are the foundation of a plan for spiritual formation within a greenhouse church:

1. organic beginnings for each formation group/community (LIFEGroup)
2. united sense of the desired outcome (spiritual formation/christlikeness)
3. guiding principles which promote healthy growth (formative, caring, missional)
4. regular communication and evaluation (life-support/coaches and self-evaluation) 
5. flexibility (recognizing that every group is different) 6) reproduction (launching groups from groups)

Now we don’t need anymore labels for church but I feel some real connection to what he is describing especially the part about the balance between organic and organizational. Maybe that is what Mosaic Life is becoming.

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Technorati Tags: church, church planting, emerging church, group_community, house_church, mosaic, spiritual_formation

The labyrinth (prayer path) we are hosting at Mosaic Life is up and running today. Not a ton of people going through yet. Lots of interested onlookers though. Hopefully as word gets out more people will particpate.

Here are some pictures

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Technorati Tags: church planting, emerging church, labyrinth, mosaic, path, prayer, spiritual-practice

This week I am in LA at the Origins Experience a leadership experience put on by Mosaic Chuch of LA. Mosaic is one of the most creative and diverse faith communities.
Yep that is where Mosaic Life got its name and much of our philosophy of ministry.

Stuff started last night with a great opening session good music from a live band and DJ. There were also some dramas and dances and a live painting as a part of a dramatic monologue. Alex Mcmanus and Ervin McManus leaders at Mosaic gave talks.

Alex talkede about being at about naked moment in time when we need to strip away all the unessential stuff and reconnect with our call from God to come follow him. He called it the primal scream from the center of the universe that is calling out our name.

Erwin talked a being like the Thessalonian church that was renowned in the early church not because they had great programs or order or awesome leaders but because they lived in faith showing others that God can be trusted, were know by love making people their highest value. and were a voice of hope showing people that tomorrow can be better than today.
I’ll link some pictures as we go along

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Mosaic Life had a great service saturday day yesterday. service saturday is our bimonthly community service event. we gave away free balloons, tattoos, and glow sticks at the east town street fair.

the ups

• we are definitely becoming known as a church that is involved in serving the community.
• many people came by and asked for info about us some stopped for longer conversations.
• the community association really welcomes us.
• one person came to worship today as a result.

the downs

• people are really cynical about church mainly because of one church in the area that has really dumped on the community in a negative way.
• i was exhausted today and i think it showed in my message.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Technorati Tags: christian_faith, church planting, mosaic, share_faith