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2 0 1 3 A U G U S T E D I T I O N

Living Healthy in an Ark Filled with Broken People

Noah’s family was in the ark for over 150 days with animals and no TV…or Ipads.  That’s a miracle within a miracle.  Wouldn't you agree?  I guess if you did, we assume correctly that people in tight quarters living together is not easy.  You will see this is true in your family, a business, or a church.

Patrick Lencioni became well-known for a book titled, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” which explores team dynamics and essential components needed for members of an organization to work together and succeed.  Although this is primarily geared towards business institutions, a great number of churches adopted his principles from this book to improve congregation dynamics.  The truth is when imperfect people come together conflict is inevitable.  So what do you do?  Lencioni’s main point is that conflict itself is never a bad thing but rather POORLY HANDLED conflicts (i.e. avoidance, triangulation, denial) leads to dysfunction.  In a letter to the church in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul extols the church to “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).  The point was not to avoid conflicts but in conflicts seek peace and unity through the Spirit. 

Lencioni originated the pyramid of dysfunction.  There are five levels in the pyramid that can lead toward trust, candor, and cohesion.  A church is healthy when each level is overcome.  Conversely, the church is unhealthy when any of the dysfunctional levels remain.  The following is a summary of each level worded in the affirmative (original was presented in the negative):

1. Revealing Vulnerabilities and Building Trust – People feel safe enough to share with one another differing opinions and show vulnerability without fear of being judged or attacked or losing a friend. (i.e. you can disagree on politics or theology and still be ok!)  

2. Cultivating Capacity for Constructive Conflict – People avoid artificial harmony by engaging conflict in healthy ways rather than ignoring them.  Think of a parent who wants peace in the family so he/she refuses to discipline a child for stealing, lying, or hitting a sibling with a bat. 

3. Commit to Shared Goals and Procedures – People support decisions made by the group and stick to it as opposed to having double standards or making exceptions for themselves. Usually sounds like, “I’ll follow the rules if it appeals to me.”

4. Hold One Another Accountable - People respond to individuals with love but firmness when either unacceptable behaviors are seen or responsibilities are shirked. 

5. Focus on Collective Results – Rather than focusing on selfish needs, the whole group serves and works towards one “big picture” (mission of the group) with humility and sacrifice.

Lencioni in an interview stated he was not surprised that many churches used his book to assess dysfunctions within the respective congregations.  However, Christians know that within the church dwell broken people called to forgiveness and healing by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As CPCLM continues to become even healthier, here are questions to ask ourselves in light of Lencioni’s thoughts:

■ Are we making our church environment feel safe so others can share freely their vulnerabilities and trust so that they can grow amongst Christians?

■ Do we tend to handle conflicts with tough love face to face or do we avoid them?  Even worse, do we spread toxically by gossip?

■ Do we use “us” and “them” language segmenting our congregation into divisions or do we see all of us on one common mission in one church serving one Lord? 

God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or even imagine.  As we trust in a faithful God, we also heed the call to live together in the “ark” of broken people saved by the grace of Jesus Christ to reach other broken people all around us.  God bless you and CPCLM as we prepare for a new season in September!

In Christ,Pastor Jason Ko

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Leanne Bulquerin

My family raised me as a Catholic; I took classes for Confession, classes for Communion, and Confirmation. But due to how exclusive everything felt, I ended up feeling disconnected. Meanwhile, Pia kept inviting me to volunteer for events such as Harvest Festival and VBS, and my faith began to sneak up on me. When Horizon started, I was asked to be a worship leader, and that was the beginning of my journey as a Christian. The more I saw what it was like to build a relationship with God, the softer my heart became.

Matthew, Ruth, Adam and David Smith

Ruth & Matthew Smith have been married over one year now and have two wonderful young boys, Adam & David. Ruth & Matthew met in a sociology class at BIOLA University when Matt attempted to sell Ruth some saltwater fish as he just started a tropical fish business that summer. What a deal! Matthew got a customer and wife at the same time! Ruth has been a longtime believer and was baptized at birth but has never been a member of a church. Matthew was an atheist up until 2008 when a tragic event in his life lead to a miraculous spiritual encounter that opened his eyes and heart to our Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth and Matthew owe every blessing to God, and to their tremendously supportive family. They are here today to openly and publicly express their love and devotion to Christ and to baptize their youngest son, David. The Smith’s are extremely excited to be a part of the CPCLM family and grow together in the church while raising their boys to learn about, know about, and love their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. James, Joann and Samuel LinJames and Joann have lived in La Mirada or La Habra for last the 24 years. They saw this church being built. Joann’s parents are from Taiwan and James’ parents are from China. Their parents live 5 minutes away from here. James, a dentist, was baptized 20 years ago. Joann, an office manager, was baptized as a child, her father is a pastor. Samuel, their son, is in the 8th grade and was baptized 4 years ago.

Charlie and Anna Hummell

The Hummell family moved from Long Beach to La Mirada five years ago. They enjoy the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. We were introduced to CPCLM through Logan's Cub Scout group. We are a family that is committed to the Lord and look forward to growing and serving with CPCLM.

Heidi Hunter

I thank CPCLM for welcoming my family and I to our new Church home.My husband, Scott, and children, Travis (9) and Jaelyn (7),look forward to getting to know all of you as we continue our journey of learning and worshipping Christ together.My hope is for Travis and Jaelyn to grow up surrounded by their church family and acknowledge and accept Christ as their savior as I did in my youth. you for your support and prayers.

Amanda Orr

Amanda grew up in the La Mirada community and is just beginning her career in the field of social work.  She loves working with children and families in all different settings.  After coming to Christ as a young child and recommitting to her faith in high school, Amanda has been in search of a church to call home for the past two years.  It is her greatest desire to humbly serve christ among like-minded brothers and sisters.  She happily joins the congregation and hopes to continue to grow and deepen in her relationship with Christ.

Martin, Pamela, Anna, Charlotte and Claire McQueen

Martin and Pamela McQueen both grew up in La Mirada and met while attending La Mirada High School. They are now married with three daughters and living abroad in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia where Martin is working in construction. Anna, the oldest is nine and will be starting the fourth grade this fall at the Yanbu International School. Charlotte, the middle girl, is two years old and the youngest Claire is six months and enjoying her first ever trip to the United States.

James, Joann and Samuel Lin

James and Joann have lived in La Mirada or La Habra for the last 24 years. They saw this church being built. Joann’s parents are from Taiwan and James’ parents are from China. Their parents live 5 minutes away from here. James, a dentist, was baptized 20 years ago. Joann, an office manager, was baptized as a child, her father is a pastor. Samuel, their son, is in the 8th grade and was baptized 4 years ago.

Hummell Family

Rodriguez Family

McQueen Family

Baptisms in July

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VBS 2013

DISCIPLESHIP

We are thankful for:• The Holy Spirit is active at CPCLM

• Kingdom Rock VBS collaboration with our brothers and sisters in La Mirada: New Heart and Redeemer churches. For 100 participants and 40+ volunteers.

• Member support and prayer as our family and community grow in the Spirit

We are praying for:• A children’s pastor, called by God, to serve at CPCLM.• The church-wide study on “Not A Fan” by Kyle Idleman beginning in September. A copy of the book is available now in the church office.

Ministry news

Kingdom Rock VBS was truly an EPIC adventure.  This year we learned that God's Love, Family and Friends, Prayer, Trusting God, and the Bible help us STAND STRONG!  Throughout the week we saw God do really amazing things through all our volunteers and participants. 

Thank you to all those who supported us prayerfully and financially, as well as those who donated their time and abilities.  Please continue to pray for all the volunteers, children and their families that participated this year. Pray that they continue to STAND STRONG for God even after VBS.

FINANCE

Year to Date

Income........................................ $151,129.83 Expenses......................................$136,113.18

Net Income..................................$ 15,016.65

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

CPCLM Workday- Aug 17thB&G ministry invites you to join us and exercise your God given gifts

and talents on August 17 from 8am to 12pm. We will provide the tasks and encouragement along the way.

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From The Choir Loft.......beautifying the Church

In Christ’s love,

Charles HortonChoir Director

We talked about how King Solomon had been inspired to lead the Israelites, God’s chosen people, in lavishly adorning the Temple he built. It was first to the honor of God, Solomon’s heavenly father, law-giver and provider, and second to the honor and memory of his own blood-related father, King David and his desires concerning the Temple, that Solomon had built it. We followed that tradition when we built this church here in La Mirada. Then we talked about the Levitical priests, perhaps others, who praised God by playing all kinds of musical instruments: wind-blown instruments, stringed instruments, and various drums and cymbals. Nowadays, we continue old traditions and create new ones, all for making joyful noises to God on varieties of musical instruments.

Singing

Singing played an influential role in Old Temple worship as well. Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, was appointed by the Lord to do His work among the rest of the Israelites as they went about normal business in agriculture, construction, and artisanship throughout the week between the Sabbath days of rest. One of Levi’s physical descendants was Asaph. He was a singer and psalm writer. 12 Psalms are attributed to him: 50, 73-83. Not only did he write psalms and sing, he was also one of the head cymbal players.

There are many intriguing Bible stories about singing. First, during David’s and Solomon’s time, we read that there were two hundred eighty-eight singers, employed full-time to create, prepare and perform music in the Temple. One of the head singers, skillful in his craft, was Chenaniah. He was charged with coaching the singers. Imagine 288 singing church musicians, not even counting all the instrumentalists, whose sole occupation was to create and lead music to the worship and glory of God! Imagine what would motivate them to it. (See 1 Chron. 25 and 26)

Then there was the dedication of the Solomon Temple when construction was completed. This is when the ark of the Covenant containing the two stone tablets God had given to Moses – the Ten Commandments – were brought out of storage and placed in the Holy of Holies, under the outspread wings of the two cherubim. Asaph and the rest of the singers were there, who also played cymbals, harps, and psalteries. Another 120 priests played trumpets. They all made “one sound, to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, saying…‘He is good, for his mercy endures forever.’” Their praise was so intense that this house of the Lord was filled with a cloud, filled with the glory of the Lord, so thick that the priests could not see or stand to minister. The importance of the return of the ark of the Covenant, the law of God, to the Temple was felt by all because they knew the laws’ value for giving wisdom, understanding, and righteousness. Our own President John Adams praised the Israelites concerning their law. If we celebrated similarly today, it would be in thankfulness that we are commanded to love God with all our hearts, minds, and strengths, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. (See 2 Chron. 5)

Singers had other responsibilities back then, such as inspiring the armies of Israel to do the battles which the Lord had commanded them. You can go to www.blueletterbible.org and type in words like sing, singing, and song, to find hundreds of Bible verses concerning music for God’s purposes. To be continued….

Join us and the City of La Mirada, the last Saturday of each month

to help our community.

This program seeks to serve elderly, low-income, and disabled residents with

landscape maintenance and minor home repairs through the use of

volunteers.For more information regarding

volunteering, please contact the church office or if you are in need of assistance, please contact the

City of La Mirada.

NEXT EVENT - Saturday, August 24 8:30am