Mosaic

Matt and I have been going to a church called Mosaic. We asked about a dozen people back home and here in L.A. for a church recommendation, and the only answer we got was "Mosaic." Although I usually dismiss all things popular (I swear, I held out for as long as possible on choosing Pasadena for our relocation city, reasoning that if everyone liked it, it must be terrible -- I acknowledge this makes absolutely no sense), but when it comes to God, I'm not an idiot. Unanimous church recommendations seemed like a pretty easy call.

I spent the first several weeks picking apart the sermons, comparing them to Isaac's, and finding them wanting. Matt spent the first few weeks picking apart the band, comparing it to Summit's, and finding it wanting. He knew I wasn't loving the church, and he'd glance over at me during sermons with a worried look on his face. And as we walked into the sanctuary each week, I'd bet him we'd know at least one song (a bet I lost more often than not).

About three weeks ago, we decided we needed to hit the reset button. So, we picked up our self-pity, stuck it in our backpack, and headed to the Mosaic campus in Hollywood. The first trip did not bode well (refer to "Whiny Darth" blog post). The second was worse; three women and a man got into a screaming and slapping match on the train that was scary enough, we moved to another car, but alas, so did the screaming slappers. Plus, all in, the round-trip church experience takes four hours. FOUR HOURS.

But we think we've arrived on Planet It's Worth It. First, the band. Although the electric guitarists are so intense my eyelids vibrate, their talent is unrivaled. I am mesmerized just watching them (which I think is a fine way to worship). This Sunday, one of them actually slid a violin bow back and forth across the guitar strings, creating a sound that just about shattered my soul.

The lead singer looks a lot like one of my all-time favorite students ("you're awesome, Joshy Singer!"), so I automatically love him. Plus, he's fantastic. Matt says the band sounds like Pink Floyd. I say U-2. Come visit us and vote!

Our senior pastor, Erwin MacManus, brings his A-game to Hollywood. A few of his recent breath-stoppers:

• Relationships build bridges that ideas cannot.
• In matters of love, you have to go yourself. 
• One of the most damaging aspects of American society is religion.
• We are designed to care deeply.

He's smart, often shocking, frequently funny, and unafraid of tough topics. And he's a Jesus follower. I'm in.

Perhaps this is goofy, but the final "we've arrived" sense came when we first walked into Mosaic Hollywood. It's so like The Plaza on Bumby (minus the stale popcorn aroma), that we both said, right at the same moment, "Ohhhh ...."

Last week, I did not miss Isaac's sermon or the worship band at the Plaza. Instead, I found myself wondering if we're home.