Posted by justinfox on Oct 4, 2013
There has been so much interest in small group ministry during the first month of my pastoral role here at Commonwealth Chapel, that we decided to host a one-night event where group leaders and those wanting to join groups could all connect at once. It was s smashing success as almost 150 people filled our auditorium, chatted around tables, met new friends, and signed up to attend a group. We called it “Community Group Connect!”, and that is exactly what happened! My teaching that night focused on two key elements to healthy community; truth and love. Here’s my notes:
Fred Buechner: “You can survive on your own; can grow strong on your own; prevail on your own; but you cannot become human on your own.”
In the overall context of Commonwealth Chapel, we see two main elements that play key roles in facilitating deep, formative community; they are TRUTH and LOVE.
Truth and Love…
Eph. 4:14-16 (NIV)
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the TRUTH in LOVE, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in LOVE, as each part does its work.
(MS) 14-16
No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole TRUTH and tell it in LOVE—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in LOVE.
1 Thes. 5:12 (NIV)
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you (TRUTH!),
who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love (LOVE!) because of their work. Live in peace with each other (LOVE!). 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive (TRUTH!), encourage the disheartened (LOVE!) help the weak (LOVE!), be patient with everyone (LOVE!). 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong (TRUTH!), but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else (LOVE!).
6 Loves….3 Truths… might be a good model? Truth and love are married together, but not quite the image of two hands with interlocking fingers. Truth is more like a fist, and love is like a hand over that fist. It filters every action. We ask at every turn; “is this loving?”
(MS) 13-15
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
• This is what wisdom will be
• Wisdom is timely, appropriate words
• Speaking truth puts things in order
And love covers all. There is faith and hope…but the greatest of these is love.
This led to discussions around the tables, prompted by these questions:
-In which one of these areas [truth and love] do you feel the most comfortable or excited to experience?
-In which one of these areas do you feel least comfortable? Why?
-What are the ways you anticipate feeling challenged in community life?
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Posted by justinfox on Jul 3, 2013
Several pastors in Costa Mesa have been praying together for over 17 years! And last Sunday, one of their prayer requests was answered; hundreds gathered to worship from churches across the city for one, united expression of faith. They cancelled their Sunday morning services and showed up at the fairgrounds at 9am, ready to praise a God of unifying love and work together to bless our community in unprecedented ways. This was a game-changer!
Our musicians came from 4 different churches, and I led the worship with a friend who sang in Spanish. We created a unique blend of languages as diverse neighbors worshipped together like never before…
Two of our city’s pastors bilingually challenged the audience to action, and we closed the service with a time of prayer, repentance, and commitment. As people left, there were booths and information set up to find out more about ways to serve and love Costa Mesa.
Several city council members attended, and one left in tears.
GOD IS ON THE MOVE!!!
Your contribution and prayers for this ministry allow me to step into divine appointments like this one-
Thanks again for partnering with us!
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Posted by justinfox on Mar 17, 2012
ROCKHARBOR’s first video highlighting the mentor program… Our response was incredible, and we’ve now trained almost 100 mentors!
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Posted by justinfox on Feb 11, 2012
click on the picture for the full article…
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Posted by justinfox on Jan 27, 2012
I just got back, it’s Friday night, and if you ask me, I think this was the most beautiful day of the year. It was 80 degrees…and it’s January! The beach air had a warmth and softness to it with just a faint, delicate breeze. I caught the day at its close; 4-6 pm, an amazingly clear sunset dipping below the crystal outline of Catalina.
My life has always been close to the sea. I grew up five miles from the chilly coast of Humboldt County, lived in Santa Cruz and Costa Mesa, and the activities that have oriented me to these locales are permanently etched into my persona. I have become very used to the visual and sensory treasures of the beach and ocean. Almost every one of my solo retreats throughout my life have ended up at the beach somewhere, and almost every time I’ve sensed God speak to me in some way or another on these trips. In fact, I’d say pretty every “big word” I’ve ever received from the Lord has been at the beach. The ocean connects me to God because of its grandeur, wildness, and mystery.
Around here, Corona Del Mar and Laguna are my favorite coastlines because of the rocky points and cliffs, and with only two hours and a hectic day, I opted this time for CDM’s “Cove” and the trailing beach walk to the southern point. As I mentioned earlier, the weather was gorgeous and every site was stunning. I walked down the long steps with the fading sun in view and was instantly enveloped by the majestic trees and rocky boulders. The smell is the thing that actually hit me first; flowers, plants, and salt air – fragrances that remind me of childhood and carefree days, which never cease to transport my heart to a peaceful, hopeful place.
As I hit the soft shore break and headed south, the sun began to dip in the sky, its golden hues diffusing and spreading across the landscape behind me. The little waves lapped the sand quietly, and I felt the cold dampness under my bare feet. Usually, I’m transfixed by the waves and the way they break on the shore, creating patterns in the sand and leaving behind sparkling trinkets from the sea, but not tonight; tonight my gaze was to the horizon and the darkening deep water against the fading light of day.
By the time I reached the jutting, jagged cliffs of the southern point, there was only a few moments of sun left above the waves. I sat on a rough rock and took in the sites. It was like a postcard. Faraway birds swirled in the painted sunset, gentle crashing waves set a slow rhythm, and I began really thinking about God’s faithfulness and all of the hope found there. Something about the beach sets me up to dream, gives me strength to trust again, and settles my soul even in the most uncertain of times. You’d think it might get old, but no – it never does!
I really felt refreshed by my time on the rock, and as the sun finally disappeared, I got up and started the trek back. Even with the retired sun, the air was still warm and streaks of yellow and pinks remained high above. I thought of all my questions and doubts, giving them to God, and was reminded of the Hebrew people in the wilderness; how could they distrust this miracle working deity when He obviously could do anything? How did they forget His power, love, and care so quickly? How could I? I’d seen God’s faithfulness and care, too, and a few miracles to say the least, how could I fall into fear and doubt so often? I’m repenting now as I write this. My walk back to the car was one of recommitment and renewed faith. Even with so many unknowns and obstacles ahead, I had a settled feeling in my spirit. I thanked God for the gift of His creation, the glimpses of His great love in our every day.
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Posted by justinfox on Jan 9, 2012
My wife and I live across the street from another country. At least it’s seemed like that to us. Several times through the years, we’ve looked out from our yard, across Baker St., to the densely populated Latino apartment complexes full of life, color, music, laughter, and wonderful cooking, and wondered what it would take to make friends with these neighbors. I wished I could build the “Bridge Over Baker” – it seemed like a mile away. Our kids all went to the same school, but we’d only had brief conversations. Finally, one day, while dropping off our daughter for a birthday party, we were invited to stay for a bit…and we did…all day! We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our hosts, by the lively discussions, the soccer game on TV, and of course, the amazing food. Our friendships deepened, and God has brought us together now with many of the families on Baker St. in miraculous ways. Less than a year later, and I was the one climbing onto a garage roof and holding one end of a piñata string!
Through Rockharbor’s partnership and First Fruits, we’ve been able to provide groceries in tough times for our neighbors, or cover a rent payment or a medical bill, but most importantly we’ve had the chance to sit down, hang out, sing karaoke, develop bonding relationships, and have our hearts stretched for others. As I’m struggling to learn Spanish, many of our neighbors are still struggling with English, and the idea came up in our Lifegroup to host a night called “Share Your English”. We thought rather than have it be classroom oriented, we’d have it at our house with food, conversation, and games for kids – trying a bit to return the extravagant hospitality we’ve recieved. It was a hit! With the partnership of three other churches now, Share Your English happens once a week at various homes and locations. MIKA Community Development interviewed one of our students recently, and here’s an excerpt:
“Beyond the language learning, Elvia went on to share about the hospitality of her Share Your English host. ‘She welcomes my children and I into her home as if we were her family. My kids feel so happy there and are proud to be participating with the other children. If I miss class, I feel like something is missing from my week.’ When we first met, Elvia shared with me that she and her family did not know anyone in their neighborhood. ‘We saw them, but we didn’t know them. We did not have anyone to help us.’ Now as Elvia was winding down she told me, ‘All that has happened on Baker St. has given me new life. I feel good and important being a leader. I feel proud of my community.'”
Watching God bring this vision to reality has been so powerful in our lives. Watching His Kingdom crash into our little corner of the world has truly been a life changer. I can’t read Elvia’s words without getting choked up. I’m so thankful to God for inviting us into this journey!
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