Embracing Local Ministry: Unity, Encouragement, and Faithfulness
Summary
After a summer filled with travel and diverse experiences, I return with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the work God has for us here in Simi Valley. Despite the incredible opportunities to witness God's work globally, I am reminded that there is significant work to be done right here in our community. This summer, God has impressed upon my heart the importance of focusing on our local church, Cornerstone Simi Valley, and the unique role we play in His Kingdom.
Reflecting on my journey as a pastor and a father, I recognize a tendency to focus on what needs fixing rather than celebrating the good. This realization came to light during a special weekend with my daughter, where I was reminded of the importance of encouragement and affirmation. This insight extends to my role as a pastor, where I am called to foster a church environment that resembles a family more than a business. Our church should be a place of love, support, and unity, where we care for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
As we look back on the history of our church, we see God's faithfulness through various challenges and triumphs. From humble beginnings to significant growth, God has been with us every step of the way. This week, I invite us to pause and reflect on these blessings, to remember the prayers and sacrifices that have brought us here, and to seek God's guidance for the future.
In this season, I feel a strong call to prayer and unity. We must resist the enemy's attempts to divide us and instead focus on the love and encouragement we find in Christ. By coming together in prayer and worship, we can strengthen our bonds and align ourselves with God's will. This week, let's set aside our plans and concerns, and simply seek God's presence and direction for our church.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Local Ministry: While global missions are vital, there is a unique and pressing need for ministry within our local community. God has called us to be a light in Simi Valley, and our example here can inspire change beyond our borders. We must focus on building a strong, loving church family that reflects Christ's love to the world. [02:46]
2. Encouragement Over Criticism: As a father and pastor, I am learning the importance of encouragement. It's easy to focus on what needs fixing, but we must also celebrate the good and affirm the strengths in others. This approach fosters a supportive and loving community, essential for spiritual growth. [10:47]
3. Church as Family, Not Business: The church should function more like a family than a corporation. This means prioritizing relationships, love, and unity over organizational efficiency. By embracing our roles as spiritual family members, we create a nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and supported. [12:15]
4. Reflecting on God's Faithfulness: Looking back on our church's journey, we see God's hand in every step. From our early days to our current growth, His faithfulness has been evident. Remembering these moments strengthens our faith and encourages us to trust Him with our future. [25:15]
5. Unity Through Prayer and Worship: In times of uncertainty, we must come together in prayer and worship. This unity is crucial for overcoming challenges and discerning God's will. By setting aside our plans and focusing on God's presence, we open ourselves to His guidance and the work of the Holy Spirit. [37:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Worship and Reunion
[01:31] - Global Experiences
[02:46] - Local Calling
[03:31] - Embracing Mortality
[04:38] - LA County Initiatives
[06:14] - A Weekend of Encouragement
[09:44] - Parenting and Pastoring
[12:15] - Church as Family
[14:10] - Reflecting on Church History
[19:59] - Early Church Memories
[25:15] - Growth and Expansion
[31:43] - Trusting God's Plan
[37:27] - Call to Prayer and Unity
[41:12] - Encouragement in Christ
[45:01] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
2. Philippians 2:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. What did the pastor realize about his tendency as both a father and a pastor, and how did this realization come about? [10:47]
2. How does the pastor describe the role of the church in the community of Simi Valley? [02:46]
3. What specific event led the pastor to reflect on the importance of encouragement over criticism? [06:14]
4. How does the pastor describe the early days of the church, and what does he attribute to its growth despite challenges? [17:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, Paul talks about forgiveness to prevent being outwitted by Satan. How does this relate to the pastor's call for unity and prayer in the church? [35:06]
2. The pastor emphasizes the church functioning as a family rather than a business. How does this align with the message in Philippians 2:1-2 about being of the same mind and love? [12:15]
3. Reflecting on the pastor's experiences over the summer, what might be the significance of focusing on local ministry while acknowledging global missions? [02:46]
4. How does the pastor's story about his daughter illustrate the importance of encouragement in building a supportive community? [10:47]
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Application Questions:
1. The pastor talks about the importance of focusing on local ministry. What are some ways you can contribute to your local church community this week? [02:46]
2. Reflect on a time when you focused more on criticism than encouragement. How can you shift your approach to be more affirming in your relationships? [10:47]
3. The pastor describes the church as a family. How can you foster a sense of family and unity within your small group or church community? [12:15]
4. The pastor calls for a week of prayer and worship to seek God's guidance. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine this week? [37:27]
5. Think about a specific relationship in your life that could benefit from forgiveness and reconciliation. What steps can you take to move towards healing in that relationship? [35:06]
6. The pastor shared about the church's journey and God's faithfulness. How can reflecting on past blessings strengthen your faith and trust in God's future plans? [25:15]
7. Consider the pastor's emphasis on encouragement. Identify one person in your life who could use encouragement this week. What specific action will you take to uplift them? [10:47]
Devotional
Day 1: The Significance of Local Ministry
In a world where global missions often capture our attention, it's crucial to remember the importance of local ministry. The community around us is where we can have a direct and immediate impact. By focusing on the needs and opportunities in our local church and neighborhood, we can be a beacon of Christ's love and inspire change that extends beyond our immediate surroundings. This local focus does not diminish the value of global missions but highlights the unique role we play in our own community. Our actions and love can serve as a powerful testimony to those around us. [02:46]
"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." (Zechariah 7:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your local community can you reach out to this week to show kindness and mercy, and how can you practically do this?
Day 2: Encouragement as a Catalyst for Growth
Encouragement is a powerful tool that can foster growth and unity within a community. It's easy to focus on what needs improvement, but celebrating the strengths and achievements of others can create a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and motivated. This approach not only strengthens personal relationships but also builds a church community that thrives on love and affirmation. By choosing encouragement over criticism, we can nurture a culture of positivity and spiritual growth. [10:47]
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who could use encouragement today. What specific words or actions can you offer to build them up?
Day 3: Embracing the Church as Family
The church is meant to function as a family, prioritizing relationships and unity over organizational efficiency. This means creating an environment where love, support, and care are at the forefront. By embracing our roles as spiritual family members, we foster a nurturing atmosphere where everyone feels valued and supported. This familial approach strengthens the bonds within the church and reflects the love of Christ to the world. [12:15]
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church feel more like a family this week? What specific actions can you take to strengthen relationships within your church community?
Day 4: Remembering God's Faithfulness
Reflecting on the history of our church, we can see God's faithfulness through every challenge and triumph. From humble beginnings to significant growth, His presence has been evident. By pausing to remember these moments, we strengthen our faith and are encouraged to trust Him with our future. This reflection not only honors the past but also inspires us to seek His guidance as we move forward. [25:15]
"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered." (1 Chronicles 16:12, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to recall a specific instance of God's faithfulness in your life or your church's history. How does this memory encourage you to trust Him with your current challenges?
Day 5: Unity Through Prayer and Worship
In times of uncertainty, coming together in prayer and worship is essential for maintaining unity and discerning God's will. By setting aside our own plans and focusing on His presence, we open ourselves to His guidance and the work of the Holy Spirit. This unity is crucial for overcoming challenges and aligning ourselves with God's purpose for our church. [37:27]
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize prayer and worship in your life this week to foster unity within your church? What specific steps can you take to encourage others to join you in this pursuit?
Quotes
I got real excited to come back I got real excited to say uh the solution is the example we set here in this room here in see me Valley and I just believe you great things have happened in LA county I I'll tell you about those too um but I I just feel the Lord more and more saying you know what there's some things that God wants Cornerstone Se Me Valley to do uh there's much work for me to do here specifically and probably the greatest thing I can do for the furtherance of the Kingdom right now is to focus on things here and to and to build the church here in SEI Valley. [00:02:43]
I have a tendency to to to find things that are wrong and want to fix it and so as a parent that's going to be my weakness and and it's like you know she's an awesome girl let's just celebrate her and uh and so we we we got this hotel room out in Hollywood and uh and um Friday my wife took her out there and you know and and they just shopped and uh and then Saturday they shopped and you know they just they just shopped a lot and uh and and on Friday night you know they went out to dinner. [00:06:26]
I was just thinking about how I I'm so I'm so quick to see things that are wrong and that's the way God's wired me and I'll read the scriptures and go this is off this is off got to fix this got to fix this and and absolutely because I I want to be right before the Lord and I want to bring before him a bride that's pure inspir us and go okay Jesus here they are you saw these people they would do anything for you you saw this congregation this family I mean they loved you they would do anything for you you saw the way they lived on that Earth you saw the way they loved each other like you told us to you told to just care you saw that and here's your bride. [00:11:02]
The church really is supposed to look more like a family than it does a business and so in a lot of ways my role should look more like a father than a CEO and um and and I think a lot of the problem in churches today is that it's so it's become so corporate and so you know about this business this show this organization and and the elders and I were talking about it this week about how we're supposed to be a family here right like brothers sisters and caring for each other putting up with each other um no matter what happens we're always family. [00:12:15]
I just believe that today this week is just kind of a a time to reflect back and thank God for those things um I know some of us had a rough summer a real rough summer and uh you when you look in scripture they would look back and remember the good things that God has done and uh you remember the Israelites and how they would almost forget the things that God took them through and because of that they would look at their present situation and say oh this is impossible and and we read the scripture and go what are you guys idiots you know look what he did here look what he did here and uh and I just want to I just want to personally and formally apologize to you guys because um I I I I have a tendency to just see what's wrong and want to fix it and not take the time to just encourage and and sit back and reflect and say this has been a pretty awesome church this is a pretty awesome run we've had for the last 15 years. [00:14:10]
I remember when we finally moved into this building well this didn't exist the m R and uh we we we moved in we we bought this this used to be the board of realtors building over there and we moved into the MPR and we had one service but I remember we were all excited we came in to paint it um cuz we just wanted a new look and the guy who was in charge of the paint picked like this dark gray colored I don't know if anyone remembers this but everyone's painting it and when it was done it looked horrible and I just remember everyone walking in Sunday going wow this is a downer I know and so we had to repaint it and repaint it and uh um but but I I I remember going to one everyone fit in one service in the NPR and then we went to two Services then we went to three then we went to four then we went to five then we went to six then we didn't have enough room in there and so we used two of the classrooms over there and open those up as a satellite service and we had six Services over there at the same time so we were running 12 Ser remember we called it the seven weeks of chaos. [00:22:15]
I just want to say man I believe God has things for us in the future and to be honest I don't have a plan right now the elders don't have a plan right now and we want to apologize because we've been quick to see things that are wrong with the church and and yet the Holy Spirit hadn't given us a a place just not enough Clarity and maybe it's been a lack of prayer on our part a lack of fasting and and I remember one one prayer meeting one Elder meeting where where Matt Moore we were just trying to figure everything out and Matt Moore just stopped us and goes you know what I just feel like we're trying so hard we're just trying so hard and and uh he talked about how he had been praying for people in the church and how things just changed he didn't talk to them he didn't do anything he just prayed and he talked I said you know what you're absolutely right let's just pray and we just stopped the business and said let's just pray and when I look back at Cornerstone Church there was never a plan there there just really wasn't day one we didn't even know who was leading worship um but we believed in prayer we did and God answered in amazing ways and the spirit led us he really did in different directions and and you guys stuck with it and so I just want to take some time to reflect back and think man God's done a lot and let's just praise him for that. [00:31:43]
I want to week this week can we just not can we just not think so hard this week can we not discuss at all okay to discuss at all the future of the church and where we're going and all the problems I know there's problems I've heard them and uh can we just take a week where we just kind of gather the family back together and say let's just put everything aside and remember that we love each other and that we've been through a lot together and that God wants us to to be a family and that uh his Spirit has taken us this far and awesome things have been happening and I know Satan would love to destroy this place I know he'd love to do that. [00:37:27]
I was thinking about this and I was thinking you know Satan's been the same from the beginning even though you know what his plan is sometimes it's hard not to fall into it right and I was thinking back this morning I was reading in numbers and I was reading in numbers I remember when the people were in the desert and uh they start complaining and then and Y you know you should have left us in Egypt there were so many great things there and and then God tells Moses you know we're we're thirsty you know and God tells Moses you know what speak to the Rock and water will come out of there but what does Moses do he strikes The Rock right he gets he's just he's just so mad you know I I I picture because I read the words you know I read through Exodus I read through numbers I'm like man you just see I'm like God why did you give me these people they're all mad about this and that you know here's your water here's your water you know and and and and what happens in the end he goes you know what not only are the people not going to the promised land neither are you Moses I told you to speak to that rock it it's been the same all along you know there'll be a tendency in the people to Grumble and question leadership and there will be a tendency in the leadership to get angry and frustrated and hold on to that and there's just not going to be the Grace we're going to lose the Grace we're going to lose the love we're going to lose the faith and it'll just be about this and that's why I'm begging you this week to just join me um this week in praying and worshiping just want to come in this room that's been bathed in prayer where the prayers have been written on the foundation of this room just want to come back with the family again and say it's been a long summer it's been a real long summer for some of you uh some of you guys are have lost your jobs some of you been saving your whole life and it's gone now some of you your your relationships your marriages are falling apart because of all the stress the tension some of your wives or your husbands cheated on you this summer some of you your kids rebelled totally just have strayed so far from the Lord some of you have broken relationships man there's there's there's just so much fear right now too the fear of this recession how far is it going to go fear of war the instability of the world it just seems like there aren't a whole lot of stable things right now and everyone's kind of a mess and then in the church all I've been doing is pushing for change you know trying to be Obama and uh you you know and and just realizing you know what maybe that's the last thing some of you guys needed for a period you need some stability some encouragement some prayer and I just want to pray over you guys I just want the elders in the room praying over you and do I believe there will be changes in the future of course there have always been changes at Cornerstone I think it's the longest period of normaly you know but but change is normal here really and we keep moving and we keep trusting the spirit but but that's not for now right now I just want to spend a week praying for you praying with you I I want to see what what what happens if a bunch of you just we just stop planning and figuring out our lives just for a week and all we do is pray all we do is worship and let's just see what God does and trus in him in that um. [00:37:27]
What separates us from the rest of the world is the holy spirit of God who leads us doesn't mean that I'm the smartest guy in the world so I can lead a church but it means the spirit of God's in me spirit of God is in the elders spirit of God is in you and the spirit of God creates a Unity that makes us different from every other gathering in the world is when the Believers of God gather there ought to be such Unity such power such amazing things happening fact I just finished writing a a book on the Holy Spirit comes out on Tuesday and uh yeah I'm excited about it and um and you'll get a free company if you come to the prayer nights I'm not telling you which night I'm giving it out though so just come all week and uh no but it's it's just it's got me so focused on okay we've got to stop thinking that we've got it figured out in our mind this can't be a mind thing and who's the smartest is going to have the best plan we've got to depend on the holy spirit of God to do something super natural. [00:45:01]
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