A Metal Building, Concrete Floors and a Lawnmower

"......And Lord, I just want to thank you for a metal building, concrete floors and a lawnmower." My friend from Florida was closing his prayer as we gathered in the building where Mosaic meets for weekly worship. Although he and his precious wife have supported Mosaic's vision since it began over four years ago, this was the first time they had actually been to Powdersville. The three of us had just knelt to pray at the altar of the worship center. His prayer reminded me what's important and what's not, and if you are not careful the least important can become your focus.

If this isn't making sense let me help. Mosaic's building is a metal building and the worship center is located in a warehouse with unfinished concrete floors. Oh yeah, there's also a riding lawnmower in the corner, but that's another story.

During dinner and later as we gathered at the building, I just couldn't stop telling them all of the awesome and incredible things God was doing through our fellowship. Every story was about God's intervention in someone's life, or how He changed a life, saved a marriage and answered our prayers. At one point I realized I had been blabbing about God's incredible power and presence almost non-stop and I apologized for telling just "one more story", praising God. My friends were patient, interested and actively listening to the stories of God's activity in the lives of those who are part of the Mosaic faith community. You see they have an investment in Mosaic and while they are not here physically, they are still an important part of the Mosaic family as are many around the country who pray for us.

At Mosaic, we never refer to the building where we meet as the "church". It's just a "building". The church is the people and it is exists wherever we gather (in homes, at work, on the golf course, small groups, etc.) and it's much, much larger than those who gather for weekly worship at 109 Leader Drive in Piedmont(Powdersville) , South Carolina. It's church with a small "c" and something beyond walls and geographic boundaries.

As tears filled his eyes, my friend said that so many churches have lost their focus and the kingdom of God has become about, "bricks and mortar". He also encouraged our leadership to make sure we never forget that it's about people. In his words, "metal buildings, concrete floors and a lawnmower in the corner," enable us to keep the focus on God, not anything we've done.

Hear me out, there’s nothing wrong with building functional facilities for worship and ministry. There’s nothing wrong with adding programs or ministries, and the necessary staff to help people grow in Christ. However, when our focus shifts from a Christ-centered biblical worldview to an exclusive view of the local church that simply builds bigger barns to attract sheep from other, established pastures, we are in trouble. Jesus has already weighed in on this self-serving attitude in (Luke 12:15-21).

I'd love to say what's happening in our faith community of imperfect people with flawed leadership is because of something we've done, but it's not. It's totally about what God has and continues to do. It's about His glory. Yes, there have been and there will be many more bumps, but God's power cannot be held back by the powers of this world. In the words of my friend, "And Lord, I just want to thank you for a metal building, concrete floors and a riding lawnmower!"