Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 18, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family:

All of us have (or will at some point) received a gift we don’t want. For some of us, these gifts come from a well-meaning grandmother: “Ah, another knit cardigan!” For others, it’s an obligatory Christmas gift from a boss: “Gee, a subscription to ‘Birds & Blooms’ magazine. How could I ever deserve this?”

When an unwanted gift comes our way, we all do the same thing. We promptly stuff it in a box in our closet to be regifted. “Surely someone, somewhere will like this!” Well, probably not. Truth is, the poor soul who receives your regift is going to do exactly what you did with it—pawn it off as a gift on some other unsuspecting victim.

In order to avoid this cycle, some of us cut through the guess work and just ask the person what they want. We say, “Hey, your birthday is coming up. Any hints?” They respond, “I want a new watch or a tie.” And we promptly go out and get it. It’s as easy as that.

As convenient as this arrangement is – and it is convenient – it diminishes the impact of the gift-giving experience. The expression of love that the gift symbolizes is unavoidably lessened when the thoughtfulness and surprise elements in the gift-giving experience are missing.

The gifts that have meant the most to me over the years are the ones I’ve never asked for and came as a total surprise. I have been gifted, for instance, quite a few original self-portraits over the years, thanks to the dear children of Cornerstone. These splendid crayoned creations have brought me tremendous joy (and more than a few laughs!). These uncommission masterpieces are unbidden surprises, heartfelt expressions of love for me from the hands of little artists.

As I’ve thought about this today, it seems to me that God’s gifts work similarly. How so, you ask? Well, last week our little Lila—now six months old—rolled over for the first time. I wish you could have heard the cheers of her parents and siblings. It was quite the event. As the Lord would have it, Christy and I celebrated 20 years of marriage last week as well. You read that right: 20 years! If you had told me in our first year of marriage that on our 20-year anniversary we’d be hootin’ and hollerin’ over our sixth month old rolling over, I would have done the math and surmised that something had gone terribly wrong. But that, of course, is not the case, for our little Lila is one of the most precious gifts we’ve ever received. No, we didn’t ask for her, and, yes, she came as a total surprise, but with every passing day we realize more how this unbidden gift from God is a living expression of His tremendous love for us.

When you are surprised by life’s unwanted gifts (we usually call them “trials”), consider the Giver. Consider His love for you. Consider His purposes. He knows the gifts you need. And even if what He gives you doesn’t feel like a gift, go ahead receive it as one. For in due time, you’ll discover—that’s exactly what it is. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).

Your servant,

 



Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 11, 2021

Dear Cornerstone Family:

I’m so glad I get to introduce you to my friend, Rev. Josh Rieger, today. Fifteen years ago, or more, I met Josh in Jackson, MS. We both were being trained for pastoral ministry and serving together on the staff of First Presbyterian Church at the time, and we both just hit it off, so to speak. Through the many years and miles, we’ve stayed in close touch, often learning from and praying for one another in the work of ministry.

Several years ago, the Cornerstone Mission’s Team approved Josh and Gina Rieger for missionary support, which has woven us together even more. Today, Josh comes to preach the Word to us for our summer Mission Initiative Sunday and to tell us about the work in Hexham, England.

To help you get to know Josh a little better, I asked him to tell us a bit about his story. Here’s what he wrote:

Josh Rieger was raised in a pastor’s home in Burke, Virginia. Even as a teenager, he was involved in missions and ministry. While studying at the University of Arizona, Josh interned at a local PCA church and also helped start the RUF during his senior year. After graduating he was commissioned an officer in the US NAVY and served for 7 years, but during that time he also served as the Protestant lay leader on both of his ships. God used all of this experience to cultivate a heart for the ministry. While in the NAVY, Josh met and married Gina Cates, of Columbia, South Carolina. He began studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, during his time in the NAVY and then completed his studies at RTS, Jackson, after getting out. Following seminary Josh and Gina served at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi. They were involved with missions there and began to develop a relationship with the church’s missionaries in Newcastle, England, that led to a call to church plant in Hexham, about an hour from Newcastle. Seven years ago Josh, Gina, Jackson and Riley Cates moved to Hexham to begin the work of church planting. Just under a year later, Rutherford was added to the family. Hexham Presbyterian Church has been meeting for the last 6 years and is growing towards particularisation. The Riegers have been back in the US for the last 10 months, while Gina has received treatment for a battle with breast cancer, but they are looking to return to Hexham this Autumn.

Please give close attention to the word Josh has prepared for us today from Acts 18. Your servant,

 



Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 4, 2021

Alongside Rev. Ben Griffith and Rev. Tony Giles, and ruling elders, Mr. Jim Smith and Mr. Jim Payne, I had the privilege to serve as one of your representatives at the 48th General Assembly (GA) of the Presbyterian Church in America. Though a very long week of business, the spirit, deliberations, and decisions of the 48th General Assembly give us reason to give thanks to God for our beloved denomination.

As always, there were a number of weighty matters before the General Assembly this year. The matter that garnered the most attention was sexuality. As some of you might recall, two years ago at the 47th General Assembly (we didn’t meet last year due to COVID), a study committee on human sexuality was erected to explore the Bible’s teaching on this subject and provide guidance on a number of disputed issues relating to homosexuality, same sex attraction, transgenderism, and other such matters. The excellent study committee report was presented and received affirmatively (nearly unanimously!) by the GA. I have no doubt that this report will be a tremendous resource for years to come in our denomination.

In addition to the study committee report, a number of presbyteries sent overtures (items of business) to the GA this year in an attempt to clarify whether a man who experiences same sex attraction is qualified to hold church office. There is simply no way I can adequately relay the complexity and nuance of this discussion in the time and space provided here. Suffice it to say that godly men committed to the Scripture’s teaching and the doctrine of the Reformed faith labored long to craft language that would bring the PCA together on this matter. Though not everyone could sign off on the language in the end, a significant majority of the GA voted to approve the statement below:

“Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to “gay Christian,” “same sex attracted Christian,” “homosexual Christian,” or like terms) that undermines or contradicts their identity as a new creation in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions are not qualified for ordained office.”

The passing of this statement is the first step in a three-step process. Over the next year, this statement will be voted on by the eighty-eight presbyteries of the PCA (including the Nashville Presbytery of which we are a part). If it passes 2/3 of the presbyteries, it will come before next year’s General Assembly for final approval. If it passes next year’s GA, it will be included as a part of our Book of Church Order—our official manual of governance.

When the time is right, I will highlight some of the key points and recommendations coming out of the report on human sexuality. I’ll also find a way to update you on other important matters that came out of this year’s GA. Until then, keep praying for the peace and purity of the PCA. We have much to be thankful for!

 

 

 



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