Elders & Spouses Second Gathering
It's interesting to me (Tyler) that I notice details that escaped my recognition upon reflection. For example, a few weeks before, 12 leaders from two churches were in a circle around a fire ring, discussing if we thought it would be possible for God to ask our churches to come together. It was a great, encouraging evening, and I was excited to see this evening come together, too. Again, we fellowshipped over a meal and caramels. Did you know the higher the heat, the tackier the caramel is?
Anyway, here is what struck me: a ring of 12 around a fire pit on the first night, but this time, the ring of 12 was inside around David and Julie Winchester's circular table in their Christmas tree-lined front room. Here is what is interesting to me: the ring was tighter together around the table. It was another long meeting. We can't spend time together that doesn't last at least three hours. Too many things to discuss.
More questions about what are things that each church does well? What are their strengths? The flip side of the coin was discussed as well. What did Crossroads and Mosaic not do well? A more complicated question but a much-needed one. Did God want us to merge or replant? Which one felt more like what God wanted us to do? How will we begin sharing this conversation with our teams and congregations? There are many questions, but with more peace and unity, I am still struck by the closeness of the circle from that evening.—Tyler Arp
I couldn’t wait to see Richard, Denise, Tyler, Dee, David, Julie, Brett, Tenille, Wes and Brandi again. But honestly, I was really hoping David had made some more of those homemade caramel candies. And since he was hosting this elders and wives get together, I figured my chances were pretty good.
And the LORD delivered!
Oh man. So good. If nothing else happened tonight, I could go home satisfied.
But so much more did happen.
It seemed we picked right up where we left off from the fire pit at my house. After sharing an amazing fajita meal, we met around the table and quickly began to discuss more specifics about our two churches.
Where was God at work?
Where were we needing to grow?
To repent?
Where did the elders need to repent?
As we continued through the 4 hour evening, we shared our deep concerns and longings for God’s people in our churches. We shared our fears, our excitements and our dreams.
We shared our lives. Again.
We came to the end of the evening, and we prayed. All of us. For a long time.
Prayer is the most important thing we have done in the this entire journey. I haven’t written about it enough (yet) but we can’t overstate it’s importance. During every conversation that is being had, I am praying in my head and heart, asking the Spirit to direct my thoughts and show me what to say, or just as importantly what “not to say” (as I get into serious trouble with my mouth).
What a rich time that second meeting was. I thought to myself leaving the Winchester’s home, “Father, I am not sure what you might be doing with our two churches, but if it doesn’t work out, I could see myself starting a new church with this small group right here. These people “get it”!”
We couldn’t have asked for a better end to 2024 as leaders of the two churches, and potentially a better beginning to what God could be doing heading into 2025.—Stephen Hammond
