About
Ikon is a new faith community in North County San Diego. We’re a collection of friends exploring what it means to take Jesus seriously and “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). We eat together, we have fun together, we study and pray together, and we serve together (the picture above shows some of us participating in an event with One San Diego).
Our commitment:
- To live our whole lives as a sacrifice of worship to God (Rom 12:1).
- To learn to follow Christ intentionally (Rom 12:2).
- To humbly be there for one other (Rom 12:3-5).
- To provide for one another according to our gifts (Rom 12:6-8).
- To serve the needs of our city and our world by the extravagant love of Christ which overcomes evil with good (Rom 12: 9-21).
How are we different from a traditional Church?
- We have no expensive religious facilities. Our time and money go toward caring for each other, serving the poor, and transforming our cities.
- We have no professional Christians. We have leaders, but we think it’s important to avoid any kind of distinction between “professional” and “lay” Christians. Everyone leads sometimes, and everyone follows at others. Responsibility is trusted to those who have demonstrated humble service.
- We don’t create hype or emotional manipulation. We don’t put on a show to attract people or induce them give money. We don’t attempt to appear bigger or better than we really are.
- We have no spectators. Our community is like a pot-luck; everyone has needs, and everyone has something to give. We expect each other to give according to what we’ve been given and receive according to our needs (Exodus 16, Acts 2, 2 Cor 8).
- We’ve lowered the bar for church. “Church” occurs wherever Christ is present in spirit, therefore nothing more is required for church than simply 2 or 3 people gathered for him (Matt 18:20). That is the ecclesia. Nothing more, nothing less.
- We’ve raised the bar for discipleship. We take Jesus seriously. He said we must be willing to “take up our cross” to follow him, meaning only those who are willing to give their whole lives to Christ are able to follow. This doesn’t mean moral perfection (Jesus is the most gracious person ever), it simply means surrender, and that’s hard enough. We’re trying to learn how to surrender together.
How are we similar to traditional churches?
- We hold to orthodox belief: We didn’t invent Christianity, we received it. We stand with millions of Christians over 2000 years in a tried and tested faith. We affirm what is written the ancient creeds.
- We’re dedicated to ancient scripture: While we’ve noticed that we can learn general things about God from nature, humanity, and culture, we’re convinced the only reliable source of revelation about His specific character and redemptive actions is ancient Hebrew and Christian scripture.
- We practice baptism and communion: We hold fast to these traditions of initiation and inclusion because for thousands of years they have powerfully symbolized the story of redemption.
How are we organized?
- We connect weekly in homes for dinner, celebration, teaching, and prayer.
- We utilize this website to facilitate regular exercises of prayer, study, and practice.
- We each join with partners of 2-3 people to form supportive learning friendships.
- We pursue God’s local mission of love through a variety of justice and mercy projects.
- We disciple our children holistically by partnering with families to assist their teaching.
What are our dreams for the future?
- We’re planning to multiply more neighborhood groups in order to learn alongside new people and serve other communities in North County.
- We’re pursuing opportunities for international partnerships to participate in cross-cultural mission projects of mercy and justice.
- We’re praying about the vision of a community center in Oceanside as a place where our creative and constructive gifts can be concretely poured out to impact our area with mercy and justice.
