Hopes for the city
The Rev. John Repsold saw something missing in the midst of Spokane’s urban renewal. While restaurants, luxury condos and entertainment venues abounded, places of worship did not. “Downtown churches are closing,” he said. “It leaves a huge vacuum in the heart of our city.”
After 14 years of ministry, Repsold left the senior pastorate of Fourth Memorial Church last February. “I still felt called to minister in Spokane,” he said. “My heart has always been for renewal and revival in the city.”
Fellow minister and friend Joe Wittwer of Life Center asked if John and his wife, Sandy, would be interested in starting a new church in conjunction with them. So, at an age when many men are thinking ahead to retirement, Repsold launched Mosaic Fellowship.
“My age had a lot to do with this new venture,” he said. “When you get to 50 you view things differently. I have six kids. I can’t imagine leaving the church to them as it is.” He feels the church as a whole is losing its sense of holiness and effectiveness. He finds the statistics regarding declining church attendance alarming.
The name chosen for this new congregation has special meaning. A mosaic is a work of art made from small bits of ceramic or glass. Repsold said that’s what they’re all about. “The idea of brokenness – of broken pieces of different colors, being put together by a master artist to make something beautiful.”
The church hopes to reach the 18 to 35 age group. “They seem to be leaving and staying away from church in droves,” said Repsold. The unusual venue may be a big draw. The church meets on Sunday mornings at Interplayers Theatre.
Being allowed to hold services at the theater just around the corner from their offices on Second Avenue was amazing, but what happened next seemed even more miraculous. Parking is always an issue for downtown churches. Lots owned by Diamond Parking Service surround the theater. “I’m going to pray for free parking on Sundays,” Repsold told a group of fellow pastors. They laughed. But Diamond Parking has offered the use of their lots at no charge on Sunday mornings.
Jarrod the “friendly parking lot commando,” greeted guests on a recent Sunday and gave them a placard or bumper sticker to ensure free parking.
Conducting church services in a theater presents its own challenges. The unique thrust stage at Interplayers places the minister out into his congregation. “I was a pretty pulpit-bound pastor,” said Repsold with a laugh. “I’m learning to preach in a new way to a new generation.”
Hoping to attract what he calls the “reluctantly unchurched,” Repsold is using an interactive type service. He took the stage on a Sunday morning casually dressed in jeans and a fleece pullover. Mosaic’s motto is “Experiencing the heart of God in the heart of the city.” After a song, a prayer and a few words of introduction, a man-on-the-street interview played on two video screens.
In the video, people on the streets of downtown were asked, “When and where do you experience God?” One teen at the STA plaza laughed and said, “When I’m in jail.” Others gave thoughtful, considered answers like, “When I’m outdoors,” or “When I’m with my family.” Surprisingly, a man said, “One place I don’t experience God is at church.” That’s just the type of person Repsold hopes to connect with.
“We want people to know if they’ve been disenfranchised by bad church experiences, they don’t have to give up on God,” he said.
Instead of preaching for 45 minutes, Repsold’s message was interspersed with communion and corporate worship. He frequently asked questions of the congregation.
Child care for children under age 5 is provided at the church offices, but Mosaic encourages family worship by giving older children their own sermon outline to follow and fill in.
At one point a tiny tot in the congregation softly sang the Barney theme song, “I love you, you love me…” while the pastor continued preaching. It’s that kind of informal, welcoming environment that Repsold believes will attract those who may avoid traditional church settings.
Another way Mosaic Fellowship hopes to connect with the community is through their soon-to-opened coffee shop at 610 W. Second Ave. They call it the Conference Room. On First Night, the Conference Room hosted a glass blower and a metal artist, among others, at their accessible street front location. The funky opened-beamed ceiling sports a deep blue coat of paint, and the exposed brick wall gives the space an urban flair.
Their unique location inspires the budding congregation. Crosswalk, a shelter for homeless teens, is right across the street, yet fine restaurants and upper-end condos are also nearby. Repsold enjoys the juxtaposition.
At the conclusion of the service, an artist took the stage and began to assemble a mosaic out of multicolored broken bits of ceramic. Over the next few weeks she’ll continue to create a piece of art to represent Mosaic Fellowship’s hopes for the city.
Repsold said, “I’m naïve enough to believe we can have street people sitting next to bankers – rich next to poor, and educated Ph.D.s next to those who can’t read. People don’t need religion. They need to experience God.”