Dear Cornerstone Family,
In our recent Cornerstone Ministry Expansion Survey, we queried you about what you most appreciate about Cornerstone’s ministry. Far and away, you mentioned two things––our approach to worship and our staff/leadership.
Considering that revelation, I believe you’ll be encouraged to know that over the past several years we’ve been intentionally training church musicians and worship directors as a congregation. Our own chief musician, Greg Wilbur, is using an increased measure of his time each week in helping train and develop a new generation of church musicians and worship directors.
I asked Greg Wilbur if he would take a few minutes to talk about the new Worship Fellows program that began last year. Here is what Greg wrote:
In the summer of 2025, the Session approved an intensive nine-month Fellows program to make that opportunity more widely available to assist in providing needed integration of faith and practice to the weekly ministry of worship planning and leading for the Church at large. This program commenced in the Fall 2025 with the plan of adding more participants in subsequent years.
Our Vision Statement is as follows: To equip and prepare ministry leaders, personally and professionally, for reformed gospel ministry in worship and music for the edification of the Church, in service to a local congregation, and under the authority of local church leadership. The Fellows Program is an intensive nine-month study and preparation for folks to develop knowledge, wisdom, experience, and skills in the areas of worship and music—whether currently serving, aspiring to serve, or for personal growth.
We have four participants in the program in addition to Maxwill Shell and myself. We’ve been reading books on the theology and philosophy of worship and music as well as discussing very practical weekly concerns such as planning, leading, arranging for instruments, and thinking about audio needs. One of our weekly assignments was to write short scriptural reflections for the Cornerstone Lenten Devotional—which they presented together, talked through, received feedback, and edited. This is a tangible way in which their studies have blessed our congregation and will bless theirs as well.
I am grateful for the efforts Greg is expending in this noble cause, and we look forward to seeing how the Lord may be pleased to bless this endeavor more in the days to come. Please join us in praying that this initiative will produce long-term blessing for Cornerstone, other churches in our area, our denomination, and even the church at large.
As Greg mentioned, the new Cornerstone Lenten Devotional produced by the worship fellows is available for you to pick up today. You will find copies at both entrances. It’s our gift to you! Go ahead and grab one for yourself and one for a friend or a neighbor. We hope and trust it will be a great blessing to you during the Lenten season.
Your servant,
