Dear Cornerstone family,
As I pause on this anniversary Sunday and consider the past eleven years, I can honestly say that being yoked together with you is one of the greatest joys of my life. The way you have unfailingly loved and supported my family and exercised long patience in bearing with me as your pastor is more than I could have ever hoped for. Truly, the lines have fallen in pleasant places, and my heart knows it very well.
Some of you have been a part of Cornerstone long enough to remember our particularization service eleven years ago. Most of you, however, threw your lot in with us somewhere along the way—quite a few of you even this last year. But whenever it was you decided to saddle up with this ragtag band of Christ followers is not important. What’s important is that you’re with us now, and that you’re a vital part of the story God is telling through Cornerstone.
I’m sure some of you have a hard time believing yourself to be a vital part of the story God is telling through Cornerstone right now. As you look around the church, you see members who are more gifted, whose contributions seem to be making a much bigger difference in the life of the church than yours. You think yourself to be a small fish in this pond; that if you disappeared, the church wouldn’t miss a thing. If that sentiment describes you, I urge you––don’t believe that lie.
It is true, of course, we all have different gifts, some more visible than others. It is also true that our ministry efforts will be more or less fruitful. God has designed it that way. But regardless if you’re the mouth or hand or big toe, know this––every part of the body is needed. Even if you feel yourself and contributions to be insignificant, take heart in knowing that the Apostle Paul goes out of his way to say that the less honorable or seemingly weaker parts of the body of Christ are indispensable to the life and health of the church (1 Corinthians 11:22).
I tell every participant in our Exploring Cornerstone class that if you join this church, we believe two things must be true. First, you need us. That’s right; if the Lord leads you to unite with us, it means that through the ministry and makeup of this local church God plans to bless you. Count on it. But secondly, we need you. Through your particular abilities and contributions––regardless of how miniscule you think them to be––God plans to bless us through you! There is no unneeded member of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church.
As we embark on our twelfth year together, let’s keep this in mind. Let’s expect to be blessed through the church, and let’s plan to be a blessing to the church! As we commit to walk by the light of these twin truths, let’s pray and watch with eager expectation as God pours out his grace on us and works through us for his glory in the year ahead.
Your servant,
