Thursday, November 30, 2006

Ethos NYC

I spent the last 2 1/2 days at the ETHOS NYC event, a leadership expereiment, at Columbia University. The event was lead by Erwin McManus and several of his team from Mosaic LA. I'm not a good note taker so here are some random quotes I jotted down.

Unless otherwise noted the quotes below are form Erwin McManus:
Ethos, defined as, The fundamental character or spirit of a culture; the underlying sentiment that informs the beliefs, customs, and practices of a group or society, cannot be created, cannot happen with only one person.

The Church as it exists right now is an institution, what Jesus started was a movement. Somewhere along the line, we lost our motion.

The predominant mindset will become the ethos.

The majority will not lead, a small group willing to risk greatly will lead.

Mystics live in relationship with invisible realities. (Could be my favorite one)

Talent doesn't point to passion.

Ambition is good, selfish ambition is bad.

We have screwed up Jesus' command in Matthew 28:20. He did not tell us to teach all nations all things but to obey all things...most of us already know too much, the question is how much do we obey?

Drawing the line of faith too close creates high maintenance discipleship. Pushing the line out...followers of Christ are those who give all.

If we listen well enough, most people will tell us how to lead them to Christ.

In response to what is the most effective thing you are doing to reach people for Christ:
"We throw parties. Our first party one person came, now 80-100 show up."
one of the Church planters of Mosaic Dusseldorf, sorry I am spacing on his name
"Instead of building a church building we built a coffee shop that sees 600-700 people a day. And we hold a couple services there on Saturday Nights"
Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church Washington DC

Emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible for a Christian to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.

Most people, in our congregations, live off other peoples spirituality.

My message has to be done by Thursday so I can take my day off on Friday and Sabbath on Saturday.

We violate the image of God in us when we don't practice taking sabbaths.
Pete Scazzero, Founder, New Life Fellowship, Queens, NY

Those are my notes, fragemented as they are. Lots of stuff still churning in my head, may be another post to come on ETHOS NYC: the aftermath








5 comments:

Anonymous said...

thats awesome. those mosaic guys seem like different species sometimes...

im going to Humana 2.0 in Feb - i know its going to be amazing as well.

i like that mystic line as well....

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. I don't understand the mystic line. Could you explain it to me



TC

Anonymous said...

I like the quote about the message being done by Thursday. I respect his ability to set a date that something needs to happen by, in order that something else can happen. I'm sure it allows him to prioritize his schedule, knowing that Thursday is it. I'm sure I can apply that somewhere in my life, with a bit of consideration.

TK said...

Hey Guys,

Tony-they are definitely a different species. I find it intimidating and inspiring at the same time.

TC-We as Christ followers are meant to be mystics. The invisible realities of the Holy Spirit and the unexplainable knowledge of the presence of God are some of the biggies that we are in relationship with. I don't have it all figured out. But it really intrigues me this idea of living in relationship with the things of God that we can't see but know they are there. check out Alex McManus' blog for more mystic stuff.

Greg I totally agree on the importance of what Pete Scazzero had to say, it could be the most personally importatn thing I heard. But to be perfectly honest it kinda made feel like either 1) I am doing something drastically wrong, which is entirely possible (He founded and pastored a 1500+ community, writes books and speaks at conferences. I don't do any of that and can't get done in a 7 day week what I need to) or 2) He is full of crap. I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt so the conclusion I am doinf something drastically wrong....ugh!!!

tk

Anonymous said...

tk,
I kind of think you shouldn't compare yourself to some dude who has a huge church and writes books and whatever. I can't really picture God going, "Mr. Kay, you are LATE with your sermon assignment." I know you may struggle w/prioritizing or whatever, but give yourself a break too. if you were perfect I don't think I'd feel comfortable w/you.
stacey t