Frequently Asked Questions

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Taking / Reaffirming / Recommitting Vows

About the Order of the Mustard Seed (OMS)

What is the doctrinal statement for the Order?

The Order is rooted in the Nicene Creed.

The OMS shares the wider objectives of the 24-7 Prayer movement, to revive the church and to re-wire the culture, through the mobilisation of prayer, mission, and justice.

Is the Order affiliated with a denomination?

The Order is an ecumenical, lay-led, dispersed community with membership in twenty countries and growing.

The Order is formally acknowledged by the UK Anglican House of Bishops as a lay ecumenical religious order.

The Order is a stream within the wider 24-7 Prayer movement.

How do I join the Order?

Joining the Order is a 14+ month journey, comprised of two Seasons (Season of Exploration & Season of Preparation) in which prospective members Explore certain essential resources and then interested Candidates Prepare for vows through a guided cohort with resources and exercises for personal reflection.

At the end of the Season of Preparation, Candidates, if accepted, may make their vows in a special Vow Ceremony. Thereafter, they may wear the OMS ring and attach the OMS moniker to their names.

Is there a cost to the process of joining the Order?

There is no cost for the Season of Exploration (other than the cost of a single book), but there is a cost for the cohort-led Season of Preparation. Other costs include the cost of books, the cost of your ring or tattoo, possibly the cost of an in-person retreat (if your cohort organises one), and the cost of travel to a Vow Ceremony.

Is there a cost to be a Member of the Order?

There is no specific membership fee to be a Member of the Order, though we do encourage Members to contribute financially to the work of the Order, ideally with a monthly contribution of £10-100 (as you choose to support). We also provide an annual opportunity (usually in February to mark the anniversary of the Order’s founding) to donate to the Order for its ongoing operational expenses and special projects. Members may also donate at any time through the Donate button on the website.

What is the relationship between the OMS and 24-7?

The 24-7 Prayer movement has been praying continually since 1999, inspired by Zinzendorf and the Moravians. His Order of the Mustard Seed was finally relaunched by leaders of the 24-7 movement in 2005 as a tool for discipleship and a common Rule of Life for the growing network of Boiler Room communities associated with 24-7 Prayer.

The OMS is administered to this day by the 24-7 Prayer Charity (No. 1091413) and overseen by the 24-7 Communities Team.

Was the original OMS a secret society? Why?

The rules of the original OMS say that it ‘chooses to stay secret and work out of the public eye’, and this seems to have been for two reasons: humility and unity.

Firstly, humility: In Zinzendorf’s day, there was status attached to membership of ‘Knightly Orders’ and the founders of the OMS wanted to avoid such ostentation. They even had a rule warning that if anyone sought to use their OMS membership for fame or personal advancement they would have to resign.

Secondly, unity. The other reason for secrecy was that the OMS had an unusually diverse membership, including people from different branches of Christianity (the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury and the Catholic Archbishop of Paris were both members) and from nations which might be political or military opponents. To avoid controversy, it helped for members to keep their involvement private.

However, in 1738 some documents relating to the OMS came into the hands of Zinzendorf’s opponents, who tried to use them to portray him as a secretive political agitator. To counter these claims, the full rules of the Order were simply made public in 1740. Thereafter the OMS continued in the open, presumably because secrecy had by then become more of a liability than an asset.

The 21st century expression of the OMS is completely transparent in its approach, and everything about the Order is published either in books or online.

Aren’t Rules of Life a distraction from the Gospel?

Rules of Life should never be allowed to replace the simple Gospel because they are meant to be an expression and application of Christ’s call to discipleship. One of the early names for Christianity was simply ‘The Way’, because this is not a doctrinal position so much as a way of life.

Saint Francis of Assisi was one of the greatest saints ever given to the church whose Rule was originally just a set of bible verses. “I prefer you not talk to me about any other Rule,” he said, “nor recommend any other ideal or manner of life than that which the Lord in his mercy has revealed and given to me. He told me I am to be a new kind of fool in this world.” (St Francis of Assisi, Mirror of Perfection, 68)

Francis’ ‘Rule of the fool’ in all its simplicity turned the world upside down. Having been commissioned by God to ‘go repair my church which is falling into ruins’ Francis simply obeyed for the rest of his life and, in the process, ‘returned to the gospel with such force that it shook the entire world’.[1]

[1] Wallis, Jim in Wallis, Jim & Hollyday ed. Cloud of Witnesses, Orbis Books, New York, p.6

Was Zinzendorf a Freemason?

No. There is no evidence to suggest that Zinzendorf himself was a Freemason or that the OMS had masonic links.

There seem to be 3 reasons why people speculate that this might be the case.

We know of one original OMS member, General James Oglethorpe, who was involved in the Freemasons, although this was unrelated to his later membership of the OMS.
There was a prominent 18th century German Freemason named ‘Zinnendorf’, and some people get confused by the similar names.
Because the OMS was initially a secret order, people conclude (without any evidence) that it ‘must’ have been masonic in nature.

Masonic historians are normally keen to highlight historical figures who were members of their organisation, but they themselves acknowledge that Count Zinzendorf was not a Freemason.

Season of Exploration

Overview of the Season

What is the Season of Exploration?

he Season of Exploration is a time in which interested people begin to get familiar with the Order of the Mustard Seed – its background and focus – and to discern together whether to begin preparation to join the Order

What are the steps in the Season of Exploration?

As described on the Season of Exploration page, this season involves three steps.

Attend a Welcome Webinar: Sign up and attend a Welcome Webinar to officially register your participation in the Season of Exploration as an Explorer. Find upcoming Welcome Webinars on the Events page.
Get Informed: Complete the Season of Exploration Resource List by reading, listening, and watching the information about the 24-7 Prayer Movement and the Order.
Attend a Candidate Discernment Session: After you attend the Welcome Webinar, you’ll be sent information to confirm that you are an Explorer, and you’ll be given a registration link for the Candidate Discernment Session for when you’ve completed your Exploration Resource List. The Candidate Discernment Session with OMS Members is to help you decide if you’re ready for the next step: the Season of Preparation.

To register for a Candidate Discernment Session, you will need to confirm the following:

A clear sense of invitation from God to consider vows with the OMS.
You have completed reading, watching, and listening to the materials on the Resource List.
Enough time available between December and the following October (roughly), to complete the requirements of the Season of Preparation:
- Two hours per month to join a learning cohort meeting.
- Two hours per month to complete personal Bible study.
- Time to read the 5 ‘essential reading’ books – usually a book every 2 months.
- Appetite and capacity to learn the practices through experience:
  - 15 minutes daily
  - A monthly exercise of 30 minutes
  - A monthly exercise of a half-day
- Openness to organise spiritual direction or accompaniment through this season.
- Willingness to organise a personal or virtual pilgrimage at some point during the season.
- Willingness to travel to a short in-person retreat at one point during the season.
- Willingness to find ongoing accountability after taking your vows.

Is there a cost to the Season of Exploration?

There is no cost to enter the Season of Exploration. The only cost you may incur is the price of a single book on the Resource List.

How long is the Season of Exploration?
The Season of Exploration often takes at least three months to pray, complete the readings, and do the other activities. Some of this depends on your familiarity with 24-7 Prayer.

Are there any prerequisites to entering the Season of Exploration?

You will be asked to confirm the following:

You are at least 18 years of age.
You agree with the Nicene Creed
You are not a Freemason, a member of a Masonic Lodge, or any other related group.

You must declare any other vows you have made. If so, this may require further discussion to confirm eligibility for the Order of the Mustard Seed, particularly if you have made vows in another order or religion.

Resources List

When can I start reading the books?

You may begin to read the books and explore the resources at any time.

Are resources available in other languages?

Some of the required reading is available in multiple languages.

Are there online versions of the books in the Resource List?

Pete Greig’s books are available in eBook and audio format, and in several languages.

Where can I find the OMS podcasts?

Podcasts are available on the OMS website at www.orderofthemustardseed.com/podcasts/

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast services.

What is a podcast and how do I listen to it?

A podcast is an audio program that you can download over the internet. Typically, a podcast is a “show” that has a series of episodes to listen to. Users download the episodes to listen on a personal device such as a desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Often, podcasts also offer supplemental information on a website related to the episode.

You can find podcasts on websites, on iTunes, on Spotify, on Google Play Music, and other services.

You can access OMS podcasts from the OMS website at www.orderofthemustardseed.com/podcasts/.

For more information about podcasts, see for example The Beginner’s Guide to Podcasts | WIRED.

Steps in the Season of Exploration

What is the Welcome Webinar, and how do I sign up for one?

The Welcome Webinars are a 1-hour online meeting where you can meet current Members of the Order. You will hear about the history of the OMS and the journey to joining the Order. There is also an open Q&A time during the webinar to have your questions answered.
Find upcoming Welcome Webinars on the Events page.

What is a Discernment Session, and how do I sign up for one??

After you have attended a Welcome Webinar, you’ll be invited by email to register for a Discernment Session. Please request a Candidate Discernment Session after you’ve completed the Resource List and other requirements of the Season of Exploration.

How will people get assigned to a small group during a Discernment Session?

During a Candidate Discernment Session, you’ll join a small group of two OMS Members and up to six other Explorers to listen to each other’s journey to this point and to discern God’s invitation to the next step.

What happens during the Discernment Session?

The two OMS Members, Listeners, are trained in discernment and/or spiritual direction. After the session, the Listeners will discern together whether they sense God’s invitation to join the OMS for each Explorer. The outcome will be one of the following:
The decision might be:

Yes, you will be invited to join a cohort for the next available Season of Preparation.
Yes, and our upcoming Season of Preparation is full, so we will assign you to a cohort next year.
We would like to have a further conversation with you.

What happens after a Discernment Session?

The outcome of the discernment sessions will be communicated by email within a week of the Candidate Discernment Session.

Season of Preparation

Overview of the Season

After the Season of Exploration, Explorers who have completed the necessary reading and webinars and discernment session will be invited to enter the Season of Preparation as Candidates.

What is the Season of Preparation?

This is a structured, cohort-based season designed to help you discern if the vows and practices of the Order of the Mustard Seed are right for you.

How long is the Season of Preparation?

The season runs from December to the following October, with cohorts led by two established Members of the OMS. There will be a Cohort Leader, who will often have another OMS Member helping them to facilitate the cohort. OMS leader. During this time, you will meet monthly with your group to learn, practice, reflect, and pray.

What is the time commitment for the Season of Preparation?

You will need to commit to about 10 hours/month of cohort meetings, Bible study, daily prayer, and other weekly exercises. You will be guided in creating a personal rule of life and are recommended to arrange your own spiritual direction or accompaniment.

The Season also includes a personal pilgrimage and some cohorts (where geography allows it) arrange a short in-person retreat. Towards the end of the Season, if you would like to proceed with taking your vows, you will meet with your Cohort Leader to discern together whether taking vows is the right next step for you. Each Candidate needs to be recommended by an existing Member before they are able to take vows with the Order. This interview will also clarify all that is needed to finalise the preparation for taking vows

Is there a cost for the Season of Preparation?
The cost for the Season of Preparation is £150, with allowances for people to pay £100 if they are financially challenged, or £200 if they would like to support others. Full scholarships are also available in cases of particular financial need, as we don’t want finances to be a barrier to any person. Payment is due at the start of the Season of Preparation.

Is it possible for the Season of Preparation to take more than one year?

Yes. You can take as long as needed. The Season of Preparation is a process of discernment, an ongoing dialogue with God and others to work out whether taking the OMS vows is the right step for you. The Season of Preparation is also a valuable time of formation that we wouldn’t want to rush.

The Season of Preparation cohorts are designed to work through the material about the three vows and six practices and life of the order. Some people may decide they are not prepared to take vows and want to wait for a future year. Some people may find they need to take longer and might join another cohort in the following year (assuming there’s enough capacity in the cohorts).

If I am married, do both married partners have to do the Season of Preparation in the same year? Do we have to take vows at the same time?

No.

Entering the Season

Are there prerequisites to entering the Season of Preparation?

You will be asked to confirm the following:

You are at least 18 years of age.
You agree with the Nicene Creed
You are not a Freemason, a member of a Masonic Lodge, or any other related group.
- You must declare any other vows you have made. If so, this may require further discussion to confirm eligibility for the Order of the Mustard Seed, particularly if you have made vows in another order or religion.
Complete the essential reading requirements.
- Red Moon Rising: Rediscover the power of prayer. Pete Greig and Dave Roberts. (2015). Available in hardcopy, eBook, audio.
- and/or Dirty Glory: Go where your best prayers take you. Pete Greig. (2016). Available in hardcopy, eBook, audio
Complete the essential YouTube content below.
Complete the essential OMS Podcast content below.
- Season One.
  - Episode 01 (Pete Greig)
  - Episode 10 (Phil Anderson & Andy Griffiths)
- Season Two. In particular, these episodes:
  - Episode 01 (Pete Greig)
  - Episode 11 (Catherine Askew)
  - Episode 12 (Graham Tomlin)
- Season Three. In particular, these episodes:
  - Episode 03 (Jill Weber)
  - Episode 06 (Mark Scandrette)
  - Episode 11 (Phil Anderson)
  - Episode 12 (Joe Steinke, Jill Weber, Pete Greig)

You must affirm that you are able to commit the time required to complete the Season of Preparation, which includes:

Two hours per month to join a learning cohort meeting.
Two hours per month to complete personal Bible study.
Time to read the 5 ‘essential reading’ books – usually a book every 2 months.
Appetite and capacity to learn the practices through experience:
- 15 minutes daily
- A monthly exercise of 30 minutes
- A monthly exercise of a half-day
Openness to organise spiritual direction or accompaniment through this season.
Willingness to organise a personal or virtual pilgrimage at some point during the season.
Willingness to travel to a short in-person retreat at one point during the season.
Willingness to find ongoing accountability after taking your vows.

How do I enter the Season of Preparation?

Candidates must complete the Season of Exploration and advance through the discernment process.

Are there deadlines for entering the Season of Preparation?

Yes – all applications must be received by 31^st October each year.

This allows the OMS team enough time to organise learning cohorts so that a first “hello” meeting can take place (ideally) in December.

What if I don’t get invited into the Season of Preparation this year?

If for some reason, you are not accepted into a cohort, you can re-apply next year.

In the meantime, you may still study, pray, and get involved with local prayer streams and local and national 24-7 Prayer events.

Season of Preparation Cohorts

Are the Season of Preparation cohorts location-based?

We attempt to cluster candidates into Timezones with a +1 or -1 range. At times these ranges have to be expanded depending on the number of candidates and cohort leaders.

Are there retreats with my cohort during the Season of Preparation?

Usually retreats with a cohort are a up to the individual cohort and the cohort leader.

What if I must stop the cohort?

We understand that circumstances change. If you have to stop your involvement in a cohort, please discuss this with your cohort leader. We may allocate you to the next Season of Preparation (assuming that’s appropriate for you).

What if I don’t feel ready to take vows at the end of the cohort?

Vows are serious and should be entered soberly. Do not take vows if you do not feel ready. Do not feel pressured to do so.

You are not required to take vows at the conclusion of your cohort. You can choose to wait for a future vow ceremony to take vows if you feel ready at that time.

Resources

How can I join in the OMS prayer watches as a Candidate?
Candidates who are in the Season of Preparation are invited to, and encouraged, to participate in the Order’s Daily Watch prayer time on Mondays. These half-hour prayer times are excellent ways to get a sense of who is in the order and what is on the hearts of its members.

Taking/Reaffirming/Recommitting Vows

What happens during a Vow Ceremony?

At the end of the Season of Preparation, if they are accepted, candidates may take their vows in a special service at a 24-7 Prayer Conference or regional vow ceremony.

In this solemn and celebratory service, you will take your vows to remain true to Christ, kind to people, and to take the Gospel to the nations. You will be joined by fellow Candidates and Members of the Order, and your friends, especially your “companions of the heart” known as ‘cymbrogi,’and family are warmly invited to attend to support you.

The vows of the order are universal to its members. Living out these vows is specific to each member. As a member of the order, you will seek to follow a rule of life and encourage fellow members to do so.

After the ceremony, you will officially become a Member of the Order of the Mustard Seed. You will initially commit to these vows for five years and will be encouraged to regularly renew them at future Vow Ceremonies. Afterwards, you may wear the OMS ring and/or wear a tattoo that reflects the vows. Details about the ring and the optional tattoo will be given during cohort meetings at the appropriate time.

What do I need to prepare for taking my vows?

In order to take vows, a Candidate must have the following four items in place:

Customary: their personal rule of life should have an initial draft. This is the foundation of their vows, and without this, their vows are far too nebulous and conceptual.
Cymbrogi: an essential component that each Candidate needs to have in place before they take vows. This is the fundamental place that they will find accountability for the vows that they take. Who is walking with them beyond the SoP cohort?
Symbol of vows: decision and arrangement for the symbol of their vows, ideally an official OMS ring or tattoo.
Registration for a Vow Ceremony: we are members of a community, and we join with others to take our vows rather than taking them in isolation. This is a communal commitment.