Verge was inspired by Alan Hirsch’s Book – The Forgotten Ways.

In the opening video, Alan Hirsch talks about the central theme: Jesus is Lord – he calls it a worldview in three words – it’s the centerpiece and all other aspects of a missional movement revolve around this. Tonight there were two speakers discussing the topic: Jesus is Lord. What follows is a lightly edited version of my raw notes (I basically fill in gaps as I recall them – otherwise they’re as I typed them during the message… so, the grammar will likely be off).

Matt Carter – Austin Stone

He drew his text from Revelation 2:1-7

Missional community has incredible potential to be what this generation of believers is remembered for – it could define this generation historically. (He knows this is debatable.) It’s possible when they’re writing about us as believers, they will speak of Missional Community.

Matt believes Missional Community is the long-awaited structure that the American Church has desperately needed to unleash everyday believers on mission in everyday life. To most churches the story has been “Come to us” rather than “Go” – Come to us and we will make you comfortable and help you serve the body of Christ. Too often, that is where it ends.

“When does the Holy Spirit of God get to manifest through me?” Many people are now asking this. Missional Community is the long awaited structure needed to awaken the sleeping giant of the American Church. It’s long past time for the American Church to wake up from its materialistic and narcissistic slumber and get into the fight. Unleashed into the neighborhoods and the classrooms of this country with the life-altering message of Jesus Christ.

He is also concerned that Missional Community is all we’re remembered for – nothing more. We can love our mission more than we love our Savior. If this is true, your Savior will have no part of your mission.

Nicolatians had bent so far to the culture that they were no longer salt and light to the culture. Ephesus was doing well, but they had left their first love.

Jesus says, “If I’m not the single most important person in your church, I’m coming to you and I’m no longer going to walk in your midst any longer.” He will remove His manifest presence and blessing if you love your mission more than you love Your Savior.

Jesus must be central – we need to stop and say, “Jesus, we place you first.”

Here’s how you know if Jesus is on the front of your heart and if you love Your Savior more than your mission. If Jesus took everything away from you and all you were left with was Jesus… would that be enough?

Francis Chan was next, but his excellent message was so all over the map, I’m going to need to work on editing those notes a little more so they’re coherent. I’ll post them once I get them edited.