Erwin McManus and Mosaic Use A Ragamuffin Film!!!
Well kinda. I guess it’s not really a film. Actually I am quite embarrassed that my very “Inland Empire” production was shown in the presence of such great artists.
Let me explain…
Sunday night I get 3 emails from some MAD volunteers at Mosaic Church in Los Angeles. Lots of “How dare you’s” and “I Can’t Believe Your A Pastor’s”. I am like…huh? What? Why is this freaking RAD church sending hate mail to bald little me?
Then I got a comment on my You Tube site saying that Mosaic had used my little undercover video as part of their volunteer training this past weekend. It all began to make sense.
The haters from the previous 3 emails thought I was trying to bring down the machine that is Mosaic. If they saw my post and watched the video they would know that this is not the case. It actually created some GREAT dialog here on what we are doing and not doing to make people feel welcome. Let me quote my previous post…
Now as I said in the video. I KNOW this is not just a Mosaic thing. It was One Sunday morning. One location. One visitor.
But I KNOW there are people in my home who feel the same way. And it saddens me. We can have the slickest production, best music, best preaching, and sexiest media director in the world, but if no one says “Hey man. My name is…”, then WE HAVE LOST.
ANYWAYS…
Somehow ERWIN himself found the video and played it this weekend. I was not there. I don’t know how it was used. I just know that now I have some more Ragamuffin Haters. So cue my mic, call the press conference, here goes.
Hello press. Well. I know why you all are gathered here. The Confessions of a Mosaic Visitor Video. Well let me be straight forward here. I love Mosaic. I made the video with no ill will. If anything I wanted to show my greeter team what it feels like to be a visitor at a new church. When is the last time I got to go to another church? I WORK AT ONE. So. In the spirit of unity. Um. how can I put this…Hmmmmm…Well…
GET OVER IT.
We are all in this together. Let’s not pretend we are perfect. We are not. I am a liar, curser, luster, sinner, oh, and a pastor. And everyday I wake up and TRY to live as Christ. I mess up. Read the Word. Got to bed. And try again.
If I could stick that camera in my pocket and no one notice me at my own church I would. But you see. I can’t. I’m like, kinda on stage and stuff. If you look at my blog you see me display my imperfections. So. I hope you have heard me well. Please don’t hate the player…
I wonder what would happen if I went back with that camera in my pocket?
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
Luckily, you lost those glasses, so maybe they wouldn’t recognize you.
I felt this many times myself before i started going to sandals, and i kinda forgot how it can feel to someone who knows noone. I am definately guilty myself of not talking to a first time guest. Its definately a shame.
I remember that post and thinking nothing really about that other church…but reflecting only on the church building we attend, and how we could make people feel welcome when they walk through our doors. I am assuming that was the whole point. I also didn’t realize you were bald. Sorry about that.
We have always wanted a “secret Visitor” to visit our church. We all need help, and I would love the feedback. Come visit us anytime, and bring your camera…
So, that means you’re the latest winner in the “Six Degrees Of Erwin” game…
Press conference was a good idea, but how about an open invitation to the body of believers who call themselves Mosaic to do the same, come to Sandels with the spy cam. Check it out. How does it stack up? After that, you all are more than welcome to Manhattan Kansas to the Vineyard on Casement Road to see how we do. Or better yet, be that homeless person and ask us for help on the street. Try to wash my window of my just detailed ride and see what you find. We need to test one another, and then in love, share how we felt Jesus…or didn’t.
i remember that post too…and i never thought you were hatin on some mosaic…and to be honest…im sure mosaic was using it to teach mosaicans what needs to change in their community…
(you cant help how people react when they hear/see truth)
Seeing how those hateraides didn’t read your post last time, they probably won’t get your press release. What you should do is video your press release and put it on You Tube again. Then tag it with references so they’ll see it
I think it’s kind of humorous actually. Although if you came to River Community as a visitor, we (the Band) would know and probably ALL come over and introduce ourselves to your bald self! HA.
I remember the video and I didn’t think there was anything that was negative in it. If people are mad that you had that experience than they should work harder as a making people feel welcome…I am suprised because Mosaic rocks…
why are you such a hater. I can’t believe you…oh, you’re not…oh, cool then.
to answer your question, I wonder what would happen if I went back with that camera in my pocket?
they would jump you and steal your milk money.
Why isn’t the video linked anymore? (for us newbies who haven’t seen it yet)
Well poop. I didn’t get to see it. My old church did something similar–hired an actor to play a homeless man to disrupt the service. Its a total gut check. People just get mad ’cause they got caught being human.
Ace. Repost your thoughts with your real name and not anonymous and ill leave it up. We are not hiding around here.
Los
It’s clear you struck a nerve at Mosaic. The one thing they hate most, especially Erwin himself is examination. To have the gall to call him or them out in such a way is out right sinful in their book.
If you haven’t seen MosaicOfPain.com as of yet, you may want to.