roadie journal #1

2 weeks ago, i traveled to the West Coast, across the great USA, for the first time to visit a church and a city in Washington State. the church was Mars Hill Church, and the city was Seattle. The whole trip was a pretty crazy experience, b/c i stayed with people i didn't really know that well (but were really great people), and b/c i was in an environment i didn't know that well either. my best friend on the trip was a Garmin GPS car navigation system. wow. it was amazing...i seriously would've been crazy lost w/out it.

anyways, i've been tracking w/Mars Hill for about 1 year now, and i think they are one of the most biblically solid and culturally relevant churches i know. usually a church will be great at one and pour at the other. why?? many many reasons. however, for ten years mars hill has had an amazing influence and impact in one of the most unchurched, post-christian cities in America. they are truly a missional church that is centered on Jesus. Many churches say they are "centered on Jesus" in their mission statement, but often times "what's on the wall is different than what's happening down the hall." essentially, some churches have crafted a great vision or mission statement, but its nothing more than a cute saying that no-one follows. in contrast, everything at mars hill is about Jesus & the gospel. you wouldn't have to read it on the wall to know it. if you want to know more about truly being missional, check out the book, the Radical reformission by Mark Driscoll, preaching pastor at mars hill. ...more on Seattle tomorrow.