--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this…" description: "\"“Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite missional mandate. Because the perception of Christians as self-righteous segregationists is so..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/jen-hatmaker-4184_christianity_maybe-it-s-my-tattoos-talking-but-this-i_191175.jpg" --- # Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite… ![“Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite missional mandate. Because the perception of Christians as self-righteous segregationists is so prevailing, it is such a pleasure to represent a new expression of faith. For me this is not hard, this is not work, this is not a sacrifice, this…” quote by Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/jen-hatmaker-4184_christianity_maybe-it-s-my-tattoos-talking-but-this-i_191175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/jen-hatmaker-4184_christianity_maybe-it-s-my-tattoos-talking-but-this-i_191175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd8/jen-hatmaker-4184_christianity_maybe-it-s-my-tattoos-talking-but-this-i_191175.jpg) > ““Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite missional mandate. Because the perception of Christians as self-righteous segregationists is so prevailing, it is such a pleasure to represent a new expression of faith. For me this is not hard, this is not work, this is not a sacrifice, this is not uncomfortable. A missional approach to a disoriented world has made discipleship fun again. To put it into highly intelligent terms, I get to skip all the church-speak and level with people authentically. I can accept a lovely glass of red wine at a neighbor’s house and later get an earful about her marriage struggles. Brandon organizes neighborhood Texas Hold ’em nights to show those men another face of the pastorate; consequently, he’s the first person they call in crisis. The eight families in our community group throw Halloween bashes and Christmas extravaganzas and potluck dinners and pool parties in our little subdivision. It’s the smallest corner of the world, but it’s the one we’ve been sent to, and we consider ourselves missionaries here.”” [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes a fresh, relational approach to Christianity that breaks stereotypes, focusing on authentic community and everyday hospitality as a form of mission. **In simple terms:** Faith lived through genuine relationships and everyday actions. Key Takeaway Embrace everyday moments as mission opportunities. Themes community authenticity mission hospitality stereotype challenge Mood hopeful encouraging reflective Type testimonial inspirational practical When to use this quote - Neighborhood gatherings - home visits - casual conversations - social events - support networks Key Concepts Relational evangelism incarnational ministry cultural engagement Questions to Reflect On - How can authentic relationships deepen faith without diluting core beliefs? - What boundaries keep hospitality from becoming mere socializing? A Different Perspective May be seen as superficial or lacking theological depth; risk of compromising doctrine for popularity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [First person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-person/) [Highly intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highly-intelligent/) [Missional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missional/) [Red wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-wine/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [“As I speak for many in the budding new missional church world I have to share that I no longer judge the faithful fervent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-halter-matt-smay/as-i-speak-for-many-in-the-budding-new-missional-church-world-i-have/) [Hugh Halter & Matt Smay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-halter-matt-smay/) > [“So a working definition of missional church is a community of God's people that defines itself, and organizes its life around, its real purpose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/so-a-working-definition-of-missional-church-is-a-community-of-god-s/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“If you want to help people we have to dive into people wade into the sea of humanity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-halter-matt-smay/if-you-want-to-help-people-we-have-to-dive-into-people-wade-into-the/) [Hugh Halter & Matt Smay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-halter-matt-smay/) > [“The goal is not to run a program called “Missional Community.” The goal is to learn how to function as an extended family on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-breen/the-goal-is-not-to-run-a-program-called-missional-community-the-goal/) [Mike Breen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-breen/) > [The safety-obsessed church lacks the inner dynamic to foster profound missional impact in our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/the-safety-obsessed-church-lacks-the-inner-dynamic-to-foster-profound/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) > [“The church cannot separate itself from the world to which it is called. Churches that grasp the notion of being missional automatically function as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-raimo/the-church-cannot-separate-itself-from-the-world-to-which-it-is/) Steve Raimo > [The Missional church always thinks of the long haul rather than the quick fix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-frost/the-missional-church-always-thinks-of-the-long-haul-rather-than-the/) [Michael Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-frost/) > [“Making disciples is the priority of missional motherhood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-furman/making-disciples-is-the-priority-of-missional-motherhood/) [Gloria Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-furman/) > [Hirsch and Ford believe that we've 'demonstrated' enough. It's now time for 'doing.' This book shows how to be missional 'Right Here, Right Now.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-sweet/hirsch-and-ford-believe-that-we-ve-demonstrated-enough-it-s-now-time/) [Leonard Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-sweet/) > [“Focus on relationships in your communities and God will come up spiritual conversations will emerge and real needs will come to light.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-smay/focus-on-relationships-in-your-communities-and-god-will-come-up/) Matt Smay > [“Lament is missional because it keeps the world before God, and it draws God into the world – with the longing that God should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-j-h-wright-2/lament-is-missional-because-it-keeps-the-world-before-god-and-it/) [Christopher J.H. Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-j-h-wright-2/) > [“It will place a high value on communal life, more open leadership structures, and the contribution of all the people of God. It will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-frost/it-will-place-a-high-value-on-communal-life-more-open-leadership/) [Michael Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-frost/) > [“If Christianity was only about finding a group of people to live life with who shared openly their search for God and allowed anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-halter-matt-smay/if-christianity-was-only-about-finding-a-group-of-people-to-live-life/) [Hugh Halter & Matt Smay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-halter-matt-smay/) > [“Missional prayers align us with God’s purposes. They teach us to rest in God’s power and presence as we advance His mission and promote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-rohrmayer/missional-prayers-align-us-with-god-s-purposes-they-teach-us-to-rest/) [Gary Rohrmayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-rohrmayer/) > [“If we're going to impact our world in the name of Jesus, it will be because people like you and me took action in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hirsch/if-we-re-going-to-impact-our-world-in-the-name-of-jesus-it-will-be/) [Alan Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hirsch/) ## More by Jen Hatmaker > [“...when the exhaustive exegesis of God's Word doesn't create people transformed into the image of Jesus, we have missed the forest for the trees.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/when-the-exhaustive-exegesis-of-god-s-word-doesn-t-create-people/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful. We’ve been invited into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/we-cannot-carry-the-gospel-to-the-poor-and-lowly-while-emulating-the/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Desperately wanting God's kingdom to come, we lead with the law, like a sixteen-year-old girl who thought a Bible on a desk corner would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/desperately-wanting-god-s-kingdom-to-come-we-lead-with-the-law-like-a/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Simply speaking truth out loud is healing in and of itself. When people courageously voice a true, hard thing, they’ve already stolen some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/simply-speaking-truth-out-loud-is-healing-in-and-of-itself-when/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Jesus operates beyond the tidy boundaries of good behavior. Rather than simply enforce His rules, we should show our kids His kingdom. That’s where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/jesus-operates-beyond-the-tidy-boundaries-of-good-behavior-rather/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Flatten your feet, because nothing in your life is too dead for resurrection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/flatten-your-feet-because-nothing-in-your-life-is-too-dead-for/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“It is incredibly tempting to disparage people who didn’t “change” with us. I have criticized the words of others when the same words came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/it-is-incredibly-tempting-to-disparage-people-who-didn-t-change-with/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“We don't see the New Testament church hoarding the feast for themselves, gorging, getting fatter and fatter and asking for more; more bible studies,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/we-don-t-see-the-new-testament-church-hoarding-the-feast-for/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“believe You’re my healer. I believe You are all I need. I believe You’re my portion. I believe You’re more than enough for me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/believe-you-re-my-healer-i-believe-you-are-all-i-need-i-believe-you/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [Faith does not always demand that God explains Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/faith-does-not-always-demand-that-god-explains-himself/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Love refuses to deny or dismantle another’s perspective simply because I don’t share it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/love-refuses-to-deny-or-dismantle-another-s-perspective-simply/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“I've discovered reduced consumption doesn't equal reduced community or reduced contentment. There is something liberating about unplugging the machine to discover the heartbeat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/i-ve-discovered-reduced-consumption-doesn-t-equal-reduced-community/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“Cooking dinner is a sacred gateway from work to rest, from seven separate lives to one shared table.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/cooking-dinner-is-a-sacred-gateway-from-work-to-rest-from-seven/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“The boys organized air-soft gun wars, so eight sweaty, stinky boys are running through my house wielding semiautomatic pellet guns dressed in sweatshirts though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/the-boys-organized-air-soft-gun-wars-so-eight-sweaty-stinky-boys-are/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) > [“I'm going to bed tonight grateful for warmth, an advantage so expected it barely registers. (…) I won't defile my blessings by imagining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-hatmaker/i-m-going-to-bed-tonight-grateful-for-warmth-an-advantage-so-expected/) [Jen Hatmaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) [Explore all 114 Jen Hatmaker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-hatmaker/) ## More Christianity quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“some of my good Baptist brethren in Georgia had done a little preaching from the pulpit against the KKK, I would have a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-moss/some-of-my-good-baptist-brethren-in-georgia-had-done-a-little/) [Norman Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-moss/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“every church can treat each discipleship class and each worship service as an opportunity for continual rehearsal of what the words, stories, symbols, rituals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/every-church-can-treat-each-discipleship-class-and-each-worship/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [The notion of a non-religious Christmas is ridiculous. But so is the insistence on the part of Christians that politicians and retailers carry out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/the-notion-of-a-non-religious-christmas-is-ridiculous-but-so-is-the/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. 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Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) [Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Maybe it’s my tattoos talking, but this is my favorite missional mandate. Because the perception of Christians as self-righteous segregationists is so prevailing, it is such a pleasure to represent a new expression of faith. For me this is not hard, this is not work, this is not a sacrifice, this is not uncomfortable. A missional approach to a disoriented world has made discipleship fun again. To put it into highly intelligent terms, I get to skip all the church-speak and level with people authentically. I can accept a lovely glass of red wine at a neighbor’s house and later get an earful about her marriage struggles. Brandon organizes neighborhood Texas Hold ’em nights to show those men another face of the pastorate; consequently, he’s the first person they call in crisis. The eight families in our community group throw Halloween bashes and Christmas extravaganzas and potluck dinners and pool parties in our little subdivision. 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