Coffee & Possibility
It was an abnormally beautiful late-Fall North Texas day in Downtown Arlington.
Tyler requested a meeting. I had zero clue what we would be discussing. We were almost a full year into our joint partnership of sharing a facility together, which honestly had gone quite well for both of us, so I was assuming it had to do with something along those lines. We had already joined our student ministry together, held 2 men’s retreats together, had a few marriage events together and brought our two churches together for 5 combined Sunday morning worship Gatherings.
All of those local church opportunities had seen the Spirit of the LORD bless us in some pleasant ways. Our people were being encouraged, we were growing (in small, but consistent ways, emotionally and spiritually, albeit not necessarily numerically..yet) and financially our small church was MUCH better off than we were 1 year ago prior.
On top of all of that, Tyler and I were both a part of a city-wide Gospel-centered collaboration called Engage Arlington. Through Engage, we were learning how to unite our two churches and a few dozen others to pray together, serve our neighbors well, and share the Good News in and around our city. Specifically Crossroads and Mosaic were teaming up to help the Arlington Police Department care practically for some of the needs of our local homeless.
So on this day, in the beautiful 74 degree sun, I was thinking “homeless ministry, student ministry, another joint Gathering or is he wanting to talk a new lease renewal.” :-)
After a few minutes to catch up, Tyler asked - “Have you considered what it would look like if Mosaic and Crossroads decided to do what we have been doing ‘occasionally’, full-time?”
I looked at him for probably what seemed like 5 minutes to him (but was honestly just a few seconds).
And said, “Are you asking for us to merge?”
“I just wonder if both of us are maybe at a place where now we can see that coming together may be give us a better opportunity to see the Kingdom come, than us operating as two churches.”
I looked at him again for probably what seemed like 3 minutes to him this time. :-)
“Tyler, that’s a huge ask, and honestly, right now I am not in the place to say “yes” or “no” to that. But I do think it’s something we should pray about it, and I will take it to our elders.”
I remember the rest of our time that day on the porch of White Rhino was filled with some simple dreams of what “may happen” if both of these churches could become one. There was some excitement for sure.
But as the one who had planted Mosaic (almost 20 years prior). As the one who, along with his wife, drained ALL his savings account to start this church, there was also a deep sadness to know that possibly the finish line for our small church was beginning to come into focus.
I would be lying if I said on that porch that day that I hadn’t had already thought about the day Mosaic would “finish her race.” We said from Day 1 of this church plant that Mosaic won’t be here forever. Only the Church catholic gets to wear that “title.” So, I sat there as we continued to talk and dream, and I prayed inside my heart.
“LORD Jesus, have your way. This was your dream 20 years ago. Mosaic is your church. SHE belongs to YOU! You started this work. It’s only right that you determine when it’s time to finish it.”
Stephen Hammond
It was a very warm late Fall day in North Texas. I remember the light being very soft, almost like the famed golden hour in the late afternoon/early evening, when so many pictures and sunsets are captured. I had requested a meeting to discuss the future but for a different reason than Stephen initially thought. “Are we better together long-term?”
Stephen looked at me before answering in what, truth be told, felt like at least five minutes. What possibilities would there be if we found a different ministry together? The last year of our partnership has been fruitful, and I assumed the future would also be fruitful. I just could not shake this question hanging in the air: “God, is there something more for us than what we are already experiencing currently in your grace and mercy?”
I knew the question, while needing to be asked, was also a dangerous one. What if Mosaic felt differently about partnering with Crossroads in the long term? What if we could not find common ground around the centrality of the gospel and being on a mission. What if the people from our respective churches just said no thanks. It was exciting and scary all at the same time, like our own individual spiritual walks. Jesus invites us to pick up his cross and follow him, which leads to a finish line at some point. The question was and still is, “Are we better together long-term?”
I did not know what Stephen was pondering in his heart, but I did know what I was considering. I wanted God to lead us as we started this conversation and to trust him wherever the journey took us—your Kingdom, not mine—Tyler Arp
