Corby Shields, Pastor || May 2, 2024

We are excited to announce the re-launch of Mosaic Fellowship with a new name:

Highland Park Fellowship

Why do we need a new name? Good question.

Because we are re-launching our church. We are returning to the kernel of who we’ve always been called to be—relational, missional, local—and moving on a new trajectory to fulfill that identity and purpose. This is a new thing that the Holy Spirit is activating among us.

Why Highland Park Fellowship? Another good question.

First, the new name puts the focus on the place where God has called us. It is an outward facing name. We want this neighborhood to be the epicenter of our church’s impact on our city. Wherever else we work and serve as individuals, this place called Highland Park ought to be the foremost recipient of our collective efforts.

Second, it gives us focus as a church around our mission. We are limited beings and a limited church family, despite what our smart phone tries to tell us! Given God’s gracious limitations on us, it is wise to select a focus for our mission. If we will dedicate years and decades to partnering with the organizations and residents of this neighborhood, then we are much more likely to see the fruits of the kingdom of God here than if we were to spread out our resources in a scatter-shot fashion.

Third, it provides accountability. Our name forces us to ask whether we are truly serving Highland Park. The name doesn’t limit where our members come from. Rather, it gives focus to where we are collectively seeking to make an impact for God’s kingdom. We know there may be challenges that come with our new name. For example, it may be very difficult to find a building for our church family within Highland Park. Future changes in our area of the city may produce challenges to many of us as residents. These are storms that we would be privileged to weather with our neighbors.

Fourth, “fellowship” reminds us we are a community within the community. In the biblical story of salvation, the word “fellowship” carries connotations of a gathering, worshiping, loving, and serving family—a family devoted to the Scriptures and to giving away what God has given us (Acts 2). Relationships and hospitality are core to our existence.

We have been and will continue to be a mosaic, a group of broken people being pieced together by God. It has always been critical to this church family that we are known and loved by our Heavenly Father and by one another as we move out together in service to our neighbors. I pray that as you read this you begin to be as excited and hopeful as I am about the sacrificial ‘fellowship’ that the Lord is creating and will continue to mature as we engage his mission at Highland Park Fellowship.