Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 27, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

In Presbyterian government, there are historically three ruling bodies or courts. First, there is the Session, which is the name given for the ruling body of a local church (e.g. the eldership of Cornerstone Pres). Second, there is the presbytery, which is the name given for the ruling body of a particular region. The presbytery is made up of all the teaching elders (pastors) and commissioned ruling elders from each member church in that region (e.g. Nashville Presbytery) Lastly, there is the General Assembly. This is the name given for the ruling body of the entire denomination. It’s made up of all commissioned teaching elders and the prescribed number of ruling elders from every church in the denomination.

Once a year in the summer the General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) meets together. Pastors, ruling elders, delegates from fraternal denominations, and guests from around the globe gather to worship, fellowship, and conduct the business of the church. This year’s annual meeting is June 28-July 2 in St. Louis, MO. Rev. Tony Giles, Rev. Ben Griffith, and yours truly, along with two of our ruling elders, Mr. Jim Smith and Mr. Jim Payne, will be attending as commissioners this year.

Before I attended my first General Assembly (GA) in 2005 as a seminary student, I wondered, “What happens at GA?” For simplicity’s sake, let me identify four main purposes of the GA.

First, GA is where our denominational organizations and agencies such as Mission to the World, Mission to North America, Covenant College, Covenant Theological Seminary, Reformed University Fellowship, etc. meet yearly with pastor and elder representatives to submit budgets, make personnel changes, give reports on ministry health, and address any other pertinent matters of business relating to their organization or agency.

Second, GA is a time for pastors and elders to receive ongoing education and training for the work of ministry. Every year there are dozens of seminars led by ministers and scholars on a vast array of theological, historical, and practical subjects. This year there are seminars on church planting, leadership, worship, doctrine, intergenerational relationships, social reform, and a vast array of counseling related subjects.

Third, GA is also a time for the whole denomination to come together for worship and fellowship. Each day’s session of GA is closed with a worship service, and the breakfast, lunch, and dinner slots are reserved for organized and casual opportunities for pastors and elders to spend time together in fellowship.

Fourth, the leading purpose of the GA is to address mission critical denominational matters of business. This includes but is not limited to matters of theological, cultural, ecclesiastical, and administrative importance to the denomination and its churches. There are a number of significant matters of business facing the GA this year. Please take time this week to pray for the commissioners of GA. Specifically, pray that consciences would be held captive to the Word of God and that the business conducted will bring glory to God (Heb. 10:22; 1 Cor. 10:31).

Once the business is complete and the smoke has cleared, I will pull together a summary of highpoints and key actions. In the meantime, if you have interest in learning more about this year’s GA, you can visit pcaga.org.

Your servant,

 



Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 20, 2021

I asked Meredith Suits, our Children’s Director, to write this week’s Pastoral Notes.

About a month and a half ago, I wrote the Pastoral Notes and shared some details about what we were hoping Cornerstone’s first vacation Bible school would be like, and I’m happy to report that thanks to your prayers, the generosity of so many in our congregation, and the Lord’s faithful provisions, we had a wonderful three days.

Each night, we had at least 28 children, 17 adult volunteers, and 14 youth volunteers. Our volunteers filled a variety of roles— welcoming the children and parents each night, leading children in music, games, and crafts, serving food, performing skits, and giving lots of high-fives and encouragement. The “Run the Race” theme was fun for the kids, who wore team sweatbands all week as they learned about the ways we as Christians can persevere in our race and find strength and support not only from the Bible but also from our fellow Christians who are running alongside us.

Ellie Terrell and I saw lots of smiles and laughter each night, and even when plans changed due to weather, we felt so encouraged by our volunteers and parents who were flexible and upbeat. It was certainly extra special to be together as a ministry— parents, teachers, and children— because we have missed so much time together over the past year. We pray that the Lord would continue to work in the hearts and minds of our Cornerstone children and that they would enjoy the teaching and fellowship during VBS and in all our children’s ministry programs.

I cannot emphasize enough how grateful we are to you as a congregation— many of you prayed faithfully for VBS, donated money, supplies and food, gave up hours of your time to lead and serve our children, or simply encouraged us as we planned something we had never done before. I can look back at the planning that began in late February and trace the ways that God provided for VBS through the people of this church, and your service to our children will have lasting impacts on their souls and on the Church at large.

Sincerely,

Meredith Suits


Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 13, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

At our Cornerstone Family Meeting last Sunday, we reported on and rejoiced over God’s kind financial provision for the church this budget year. Though we still have several weeks yet to go (our budget year runs from July 1 – June 30), this has been the best year fiscally in our ten-year history as a church!

On the behalf of our leaders, let me say, “Thank-you!” for giving to the ministry of Cornerstone. Your generosity is a beautiful expression of the Lord’s work in our midst (see 2 Corinthians 8:9). With only a few weeks to go, please help us finish the budget year strong! Moreover, pray for wisdom as we strive to be faithful stewards of God’s resources and make bold ministry plans and projections for the coming budget year. More on this soon!

There was also a staff update in last week’s meeting. In that update, one key transition was noted. After ten years of faithful service, our dear sister, Mrs. Susan Bumpus, is leaving her post as Office Administrator. Susan is moving back home to be with her family in Ohio where she’ll be able to more readily take care of the needs of her aging father.

As many of you know, I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with Susan for the last ten years. She’s been a faithful partner in ministry every step of the way. I thank God for leading her to us a decade ago and for the countless ways she’s contributed to the life and ministry of Cornerstone.

Her time with us is quickly drawing to a close. Her final official day is June 30, but the final day she will be in-office is Friday, June 18th. Before she rides off into the sunset, please do not miss the opportunity to express your appreciation for her many years of service in our midst.

Please pray for the Personnel Committee and me as we search for a new Office Administrator. Due to the nature of the role, we are beginning the search with candidates who are outside of the membership of Cornerstone. Please pray that God would lead us to just the right person.

In closing, the Shurden family are bound for sunny Florida for a week of vacation, which is why I’m missing in action today. Though always saddened not to be worshiping with you in person, I’m grateful for the opportunity to get away and enjoy some unhurried family time at the sea. I look forward to being back with you in worship very soon.

Your servant,

 



Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 6, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

As a child, summers were magical for me. Even today, summer smells like freshly mown grass and sunscreen. It feels like swimming holes and sand between my toes. It tastes like hotdogs and watermelon. It sounds like a choir of crickets and the whizz of a fishing rod. Summer meant so many things, but mostly, it meant time. Time to watch movies and play whiffle ball. Time to listen to music and read whatever I wanted. Summer was like a two-and-a-half-month permission slip to do what I wanted to do and not feel bad for it.

As great as my childhood summers were, there were the inevitable temptations that go along with such special times. Still today, there are certain temptations that show up during a summer vacation that I don’t experience—at least not as poignantly—the rest of the year. If I were to boil the temptation down, I’d call it this: to live for self.

True, this temptation is always present, but there are certain times—like summer vacation—that are literally designed for us, so to speak. Think about it. Why do we go on vacation? We go for our own rest and enjoyment. In fact, people actually tell you to, “Go enjoy yourself.” When we say those things, we usually mean “go have a good time,” and that’s right in so far as it goes. But it’s easy, isn’t it, for our sinful hearts to hear “enjoy yourself” and slip into “live for self” mode. Ironically, when we do this, we cut the legs out of true rest and enjoyment. Whatever pleasure we gain from living for self is shallow and fleeting. It always leaves us disappointed.

God has not designed us to enjoy ourselves by living for self. This is where we go wrong. We go on vacation, and we try to rest like the rest of the world. Truth be told, many of us rest from our Christian commitments on vacation. It’s crazy but we go on vacation to rest, and we walk away from the Lord of rest! Not surprisingly, we end up restless and irritable. We wind up needing vacations from our vacations, because we neglected the true rest our souls need.

With all this in mind, let’s commit to move through summer differently this year. By all means, keep catching those lightning bugs and sipping that sweet tea on the back porch. Enjoy the good things God designed summer for. But as you do, enjoy the Lord of the summer most of all. If you do that, you might just have the best summer yet.

“Jesus, I am resting, resting

In the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness

Of Thy loving heart.”

—Jean S. Pigott

Your servant,

 



Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 30, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family,

After last week’s sermon on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, a parent asked me for advice on speaking about sexuality with their children. I was glad to get the question! In our day, parents can’t afford to be silent on subject of sexuality. Moreover, God has entrusted parents with the responsibility to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). This includes training them in the Bible’s teaching on sexual faithfulness.

But how do we address the subject without looking like a fool? Below are four practical suggestions:

1. Plan the Talk
Settle your nerves by planning what you’re going to say. Then, spend time praying over what you planned. Jot down a few notes to keep yourself on track. The more you can prepare your heart and words, the more you’ll reduce awkwardness and stress, and the higher the likelihood you will communicate clearly, lovingly, and effectively.

2. Be Natural, Inquisitive, and Intentional
Avoid a “family meeting” communication style. Instead, just be yourself and use your regular family worship time or some planned down time. Begin by asking basic biblical questions about relationships, love, and marriage. As the conversation progresses, steer the dialogue to the matters of sexuality focusing on God’s design for men, women, and marriage.

3. Start Young and Keep the Conversation Going
Begin as early as possible. Four, five, and six-year-olds are very observant. They pick up far more than we realize. When kids are young, talk in general ways about gender, love, marriage, and family. As your child progresses through grammar school, discuss the realities of sexuality, homosexuality, and transgenderism with faithful frankness. As they grow, commit to engaging them regularly about sexuality, getting more specific. Welcome their questions! Be God’s instrument and trust the Lord to confirm the truth to their hearts as they mature.

4. Be Biblical
Let Scripture do the talking. In case you need help, here’s a simple outline you could follow:

  • Begin by talking about the creation account in Genesis 1-2 and how God created us male and female, and in His image. Emphasize that gender, marriage, and the unique roles of men and women were all a part of God’s good and wise design from the beginning.

  • Discuss the fall in Genesis 3 and how everything that God created good—even marriage and sexuality—has been affected by the fall. Use a Bible story like Noah’s infidelity or King David’s adultery to help illustrate this. As appropriate, name specifically how the world has twisted the definition of marriage and gender. Be clear about how homosexuality is a sin and not in keeping with God’s good design. Turn to Genesis 19:1-13, Romans 1:26-27 or 1 Corinthians 6:9 to show the clarity and consistency of God’s Word on the subject.

  • Then discuss how God is presently at work redeeming and restoring the world, including marriage and sexuality, through the power of the gospel. Show from Ephesians 5:16-33 how God uses the love between a man and a woman in marriage as one of the primary ways He illustrates His love for the church!

  • When age appropriate, prepare your children for the inevitable struggles they will face sexually. Let them know that sexual sin is something we all face in varying ways and degrees. This is why we must be faithful in confessing our sin and repenting of it. As appropriate, let them know you’re still learning how to seek God’s grace for forgiveness and new obedience in the area of sexuality.

  • Close with Revelation 21 and the confident hope we have that no matter how twisted marriage and sexuality becomes in our time, in the day of Jesus Christ’s return we will be free of sexual sin and perfected in holiness as a beautiful Bride ready for her Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

    I hope these simple suggestions strengthen you in knowledge and courage as you strive to raise children who will love, cherish, and follow the truth of God’s Word for marriage and sexuality.

Your servant,