Interview

I was recently interviewed as part of study on Church based ministries that are doing things differently from the norm. The following is what came from that interview. Note: It's lengthy, but it's also a great expression of what makes The Way what we all know and love.

"​When thinking of ministries that are leaping outside of the conventional box, my immediate thought comes to a church known as The Way. The Way is a congregational ministry that is remarkably unique and refreshing in its practice of worship and its style of ministry. Despite its unconventional approach, this church cannot be labeled as innovative. Yes, it is innovative in the sense that it is exploring a direction in ministry that few, if any, other churches are doing today. However, to say that this church is innovative is also contradictory to the ministry because The Way celebrates a practice of worship that is as old as the Christian church itself, mirroring the apostolic church of Acts.

​The blue print of the Christian church, given to us in Acts chapters two and four, is the foundation of this ministry. They take very literally the practices of the apostles of the first century and strive to apply them in a twenty-first century context.The Way holds firmly to the apostles practice of caring for one another and meeting needs as they are presented to the best of their ability. This is not a church centered on a building or programming, but rather a ministry focused on practically fulfilling our calling as disciples to care for one another. Describing this vision, founding Pastor Mark McMahon said this “pertaining to why we do what we do....I've always been highly influenced by a quote from Henri Nouwen which says, ‘I've spent far too long trying to look like a Christian and not long enough trying to look like Jesus.’ That has been a defining concept as I have planted The Way. Truth be told, after working in Christian ministry for a decade now, I'm not so sure that our 21st century American churches look much like Jesus. With that in mind, what we aspire to be here at The Way is the most accurate reflection of the Biblical Jesus as we can possibly be. That, and that alone, is our mission. We are bold enough to believe that we will accomplish that best as we love God first and foremost, love our neighbor as ourselves, and to do that which expresses agape and grace in very practical ways all the time.”

​This affirmation and literal interpretation of the demands of Scripture manifests itself in several expressions within the congregational community. In addition to a message from Scripture and praise and worship, each week needs are prayerfully presented before the congregation and consequently met to the best of the parishioners’ ability. Many times a need that has been brought before the congregation is met before that person even walks out the door. The Way also has a unique and exceptionally faithful practice of tithing, unheard of in many churches, let alone a church that is just getting off the ground. Fifty cents of every unallocated dollar tithed goes directly to meet the needs brought to the congregation. This has positioned the church to meet every need in its entirety brought before them to date.

​This church also uses a unique database to help reach those in need called “The Common”. The Common is an online database that most of those who attend The Way are members of. When you become a member of The Common, you fill out a skill profile, meaning that you list what skills you have or contributions you can make. Then you are positioned to post a need viewable to all members of the online community. The Common also matches your skill profile with needs that match your abilities. This database has been massively successful in quickly having needs met when presented before the parishioners of The Way.

​ Discussing the role of the church and needs based ministries, Pastor Mark expressed his thoughts with saying “I think that Jesus would express a bit of grief over the the current value system of the popular ideology which says that church success is measured by "butts in seats" and "a smorgasbord of programs to meet every interest under the sun" while leaving grassroots-needs-based assistance to governments, parachurches, and missionaries.”

​When describing his calling in ministry, Pastor Mark also said “The best understanding of the Biblical church that I see in Scripture is not something that I could ever possibly be employed by...it's something that I merely contribute to when I affirm the resurrection. And if I ever find myself "working for a church" as opposed to living together with a growing community of people who work together toward ends which affirm resurrection even in the deadest situations, then I will need to repent. When Peter was commissioned unto ministry by Jesus after the resurrection, Jesus gave him his marching orders by simply saying, "Feed my sheep." (John 21:17) How hungry the sheep must be when well meaning churches busy themselves with otherwise off-mission items like erecting great architecture for the sheep, structuring great programs for the sheep, and having never-ending meetings that don't make a whole hill of beans for the sheep, or developing a culture for the sheep whereby the sheep themselves fail to even realize that the church exists so that they may be fed...I want to feed the sheep. I want Jesus to see me serving Him by feeding the sheep! I want to affirm the resurrection of believers day after day after day by feeding the sheep in the ways which He said mattered to Him (see Mt. 25:31-46)...that they may know that hope is unshakable in Christ...that help is on the way in Jesus...that love is extraordinary, and extraordinarily given, by this Nazarene Rabbi...and that the legacy of the church is the provision found when one compares the phenomenon of Jesus crucified unto death and raised into everlasting life and that expressed lovingly through sermons of careful acts ‘for the least of these brothers of mine’...”

​This church is a brand new ministry planted in the fall of 2009. Despite its infancy, it is quickly growing and has already outgrown its first venue. One of the most beautiful things about this growth is that a large percentage of this growth is comprised of those who were previously unchurched but are now finding salvation in Christ and a church that is touching their hearts and stirring their passions. Many needs have been presented to this community of believers and have been met, even those far exceeding the ability of the congregation. The Holy Spirit is visibly moving among those in this community, and this church is moving people into a refreshing new direction that is beyond traditional programming, capital campaigns, and denominations and into the freedom that comes with simply following the way of the resurrected Christ."

Grace and Peace be with you.