What did you see?
What struck me at CCDA was people living their lives in relentless pursuit of the love of God and love of neighbor, not neglecting one for the other. I witnessed church leaders, community organizations, and ordinary people truly taking on the role of a "neighbor." These were people who recognized a calling to serve those they were surrounded by as a necessary part of their walk with God—just as crucial as Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

By emphasizing the role of a neighbor, CCDA repaints the idea of Gospel living — growing in relationship with Christ WHILE serving. In this way spiritual formation fuels a lifestyle of service and service—the outpouring of sacrificial love—driving the hunger and need to grow closer to God. We usually compartmentalize service projects, community meals, and clothing drives. What if we began to incorporate these into church programs: individual Bible studies committing to serve a specific group of people, meals shared in fellowship with those outside of the church, all in an attempt to build a community that extends beyond our church walls.  This is what James 2 talks about — the combination of faith and works, word and deed.

What did you learn?
I believe that this vision of neighbor-love is what we are called to as Christ-followers. Sure, committing to the self-emptying life of Jesus is a tall order. But it's better to dream big and fail, than to settle into complacency. This vision of a church that prioritizes a community of people that does not sit in its pews should not seem so audacious or out of reach. It is indeed counter to the individualistic, capitalistic, and even democratic norms of our society (which is precisely why we should go for it), but it is also just as Jesus demonstrated.

What should we learn?
I believe this is a vision that Lake Avenue can make a reality. The realization of this vision can already be seen in the many Christian fellowships growing on local college campuses, in no small part due to the support of this church and its pastors. It can also be seen in the Jr. High ministry, where students have built cross-cultural relationships and desire to live life alongside each other—regardless of their parents’ income tax brackets. This is not enough. Though we celebrate these examples of neighbor-love, every age group, every Sunday class, and every small group should desire to emulate Jesus this way.

What do you think it would take for churches to work this way?
To do this would not require more programs, longer sermons, or increasing the size of the pastoral staff. It only requires a shift in our mindset and a willingness to risk the status quo in favor of giving God the space to show up and move in mighty ways.

Here's something practical and concrete: Church-wide, we can commit to investing financially in the community by stimulating the local economy. Instead of an after-church meal at a chain or franchise, let’s eat at a local hole-in-wall, getting to know the servers, cooks, and owners as neighbors. Then, we can tip generously.

When it comes to the way churches work, we can begin by evaluating the programs already in place, as well as what it is we as individuals contribute to the church. An inventory of the passion, skills, vision, and creativity already within the church will allow us to optimize and leverage the human capital available for Kingdom purposes.

Secondly, we can examine the values upon which current church programs are built and devise a strategic plan to incorporate these into activities that engage the community. We can innovate our internal programs focused on fellowship, Bible study, and growing in relationship with Christ to integrate them into a church-wide philosophy that is committed to the community:

Small groups can be expected to partner with a local school, youth sports league, or family to develop relationships with and live alongside. These groups within the church can prayerfully consider how they will step out and be neighbors in Northwest Pasadena.

Pastors can encourage church goers to cast vision as to how they can move beyond mere outreach events to begin incorporating neighbors as welcomed and engaged members of the church. And then they can sponsor these people, using their knowledge of the infrastructure and resources of the church to see this vision to reality.

Final Thoughts?
In the end, all of this boils down to choice: are we content with a 210 commute on Sunday mornings, or are we committed to the cause of Christ in such a way that requires us to know, love, and live alongside the neighbors God has intended for us?

I venture we should strive for the latter. As an entire church body, let us live out our statement of faith:

“God commands us to love Him supremely and others sacrificially, and to live out our faith with care for one another, compassion toward the poor, and justice for the oppressed.”

Recognize that this is the commitment of the pastoral staff and of your fellow members in the church. Let us stand alongside one another, encouraging and spurring the entire church community to practice the kenotic principles of Jesus’ life. THIS is holistic Gospel living; THIS is what Jesus was all about; THIS is what we are called to.

May this church community be a living fulfillment of Mark 12 . May we individually and collectively adopt the mentality of a neighbor in order to actually and actively love those God has intentionally placed within our reach.