Tuesday, July 29

Why We Do What We Do at Mosaic DC

I haven't written a post like this in a while, so hopefully this won't be long... I spoke to a friend last week who pretty much told me that what we do at Mosaic (trying to reach people throuugh relevant, creative means) is unbiblical. My friend shared his position with me, which went a little something like this:

"Why do we have to use anything outside of the Bible to illustrate or interpret the Bible? I think that if we're going to use contemporary illustrations, then it should primarily be TO POINT OUT SIN and draw people to the glory of God!"

Hmmm... NOT!! Well, at least, not all of the above. See, part of the reason we choose at Mosaic DC to leverage culture and reach people through relevant, creative means is because PEOPLE AREN'T LISTNENING TO US (the church)! And they're turning a deaf ear... not necessarily because we have truth, but because we tend to HAMMER them with truth and call it "pointing out sin." It's like the first thing we have to say to people is that they're "sinners." Well, that may be true... but I were an unbeliever, that wouldn't be the first thing I'd want to hear out of your mouth if you're starting a conversation with me.

Jesus was VERY CREATIVE AND ILLUSTRATIVE in his preaching! He always used contemporary (for His day) illustrations to make a point and to connect with people... and He didn't just do it to "point out sin" - but he'd use stories and object lessons to get His point across. And there you go: Jesus' intention was for people to get the point, to understand the message... and that's exactly what we're trying to do - communicate... through preaching, music, media, art, film... the grace of God in such a way that PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

We're currently in the middle of a series called God On Film... where we take blockbuster movies, lift a theme from it (so far, we've done The Incredible Hulk, Get Smart, Wanted, and Hancock), and teach on that theme from the Bible. It's a fun series, but it's also a very pointed series (we've dealt with anger, wisdom, and purpose... next week, we might deal with evil). And we plan series like these, knowing that when we do them it's about process. Someone might start attending Mosaic this summer through the God On Film series... they might stick around... and then this fall get to journey with us through Romans 1-8... because we're not only attractional... we're MISSIONAL - we're about seeing people become passionate, growing followers of Jesus!

That's what we're about... that's why we do what we do at Mosaic DC... so that someone who doesn't know Jesus might come to know Him, and through their changed life, others come to know Him also.

That's why we do what we do...

Thanks for listening.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's good to see you still preaching and living for the Lord, Big Bra!

Zinnada<><

DARREN PLUMMER: said...

Can't do anything but, Z! ;-) How's the fam?

PD