Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 8, 2022

Dear Cornerstone Family,

As we remember and honor our mothers today, I found this beautifully written, recently published piece by our very own Katie Patton particularly meaningful. I trust you will as well.

I’m not the kind of person who always wants a baby. As a child, I didn’t “play house.” As a teen, I didn’t babysit other people’s children, and I didn’t enjoy my mom signing me up for nursery duty at church. The blessedness of bearing and raising children is more a belief that has grown in me with my faith than it is a primal urge I have. Hearing Mary’s Magnificat in a liturgical context has enforced this belief: “you have lifted up the lowly.” This is the trajectory of Christ’s incarnate life and the life of every believer and the life of the world. From death unto life. Beauty from ashes. A mother is one of the lowly ones. The mother of God saw herself this way. A friend pointed out the obvious symbolism of a woman’s forty weeks carrying her child and the forty days and nights of rain to cleanse the earth in the Flood, Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness and Christ’s forty days of temptation in the desert. The forty days of Lent bring us to Easter. These are times of suffering and trial on the way toward redemption.

We are all called to share in Christ’s sufferings—even to “fill up what is lacking” in them. I have no idea what this means. I believe, however, that it will lead to blessing and redemption, following the pattern Christ’s sufferings did. More particularly, Christ suffered in order to welcome the lowly, to welcome sinners as sons and daughters to the joyful presence of God, and to give them a Home. Women, as mothers, follow this pattern as well. Our very first home, for every one of us who has ever lived, was our mother’s womb. We were welcomed there, nourished and cared for from her very body. There is much sweet sentiment (rightly so) surrounding motherhood, but make no mistake, this welcoming, this hospitality, is one of suffering. Whether an easy pregnancy or not, whether a smooth delivery or not, whether healthy, whole children or not, these lowly mothers are required to lay down their lives for the world. They don’t do so because they are brave or saintly or good— often, they are afraid and sad and despairing. But “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

Some women cannot conceive. Some have one, two, or ten children. Some have lost children. Some, like me, find themselves unexpectedly expecting at the very tail-end of their child-bearing years. None of what I say above calls any of those women better or worse than the others. To marvel at what God has done with “woman-as-mother” is not to deny the fruit He will bring from the suffering of childlessness or loss. Woman-as-mother shows us, all of mankind, how to welcome the lowly in many ways, from adopting, to fostering, to working with refugees, to opening our homes to guests, to serving in the church nursery, to ministering to the homeless or those with disabilities, to even offering “a cup of cold water” in His name. The list is endless. The opportunities for suffering seem endless as well, but they are only a gateway to blessing. The suffering is NOT endless, but the joy is. We look “unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” As we lay down our lives for the lowly, we, the lowly, will be lifted up with them.

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, May 1, 2022

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Four weeks ago, I wrote about the “good problem” of growth Cornerstone is experiencing. It’s a problem we encounter firsthand each Sunday morning squeezing into overcrowded pews or climbing the stairs to overflow. It’s a good problem in that growth is a good thing! But it’s a good problem in that we’re running out of space to accommodate the ministry.

Several months back, the elders began discussing how to address the issue of growing numbers and tight quarters. We spent an evening exploring a variety of potential options including adding worship services, augmenting/expanding the chapel (if possible), starting an additional Cornerstone location, planting a new church, building (or buying) a larger facility, or even some combination of the above.

As this discussion took place, other discussions and topics surfaced. We revisited aspects of our history as a church. We touched on our vision and core commitments. We dreamed about the future kingdom impact of an expanded ministry. We also addressed a variety of fears and concerns. Fears of losing the sweetness of fellowship we’ve long enjoyed. Fears of failure if we try something that doesn’t work. Fears regarding the sacrifice it will require to honor God’s call and care for his people in this season of growth.

This openhearted dialogue led us to pray, pray, and pray some more. After that initial meeting, I put pen to paper and crafted three prayers for our leaders to commit to praying on a regular basis during this season. These prayers are designed to prepare our hearts for whatever God has in store next for Cornerstone. During this season, I’d like to invite you to join us in praying these prayers as together we seek God’s face for the future of Cornerstone.

  • The prayer of surrender—“Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). In this prayer, we’re asking God to bring us to a place where we want God’s will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Ask yourself, “What must I release or set aside in order for God’s will to reign supreme in my life?” Name those things before the Lord, laying them at his feet.

  • The prayer for unity— “Holy father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one even as we are one” (John 17:11) In this prayer, we’re asking God for a spirit of unity, both for leaders and the church membership as together we seek God’s face. Search your heart to see if there is any offense, frustration, or dismissiveness against any leader or member of the church. If needed, confess this to your brother or sister and be at peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

  • The prayer for wisdom—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5) Ask boldly for wisdom for your leaders and the church. As you pray for wisdom, reflect on God’s unfailing love for the church and consider what would God most want us to see, know, believe, and protect as we seek to answer his call.

    Friends, would you enter into prayer with us in an ongoing way this season? It’s easy to get worked up with excitement or fear over this or that, but it’s prayer that God is pleased to use to strengthen and direct the church. As Oswald Chambers said years ago, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, April 24, 2022

Dear Cornerstone Family,

When asked by friends and family about Holy Week and Easter services, I’ve found myself a bit like Paul when he was taken up to the third heaven and was unable to put the experience into words (see 2 Corinthians 12). Truly, a transported to heaven week of worship for me, and from what I’m hearing, I wasn’t alone in that. Praise the Lord.

As you know, God loves to use his people in the work of ministry. Recognizing this, I’d like to thank a number of folks who served faithfully during Holy Week. First, I’d like to thank Jessica Michaud and the volunteers around her for leading our children’s choir. It was a joy on Palm Sunday to hear the truth out of the mouth of babes! Second, a big “thank you” to the New College Franklin Choir for blessing us on Maundy Thursday, and for the Cornerstone choir and musicians who tirelessly served for Good Friday and all three Easter services. Your labors were not in vain! We were edified, and Christ was exalted. Third, I want to thank our pastors and leaders for stepping toward the efforts of ministry with eagerness and gratitude. It’s a joy to serve with these brothers! Finally, I want to offer a very special thanks to Greg Wilbur for his long faithfulness in leading us in worship. So much of what we do each week in worship, but especially during Holy Week, is due to his service. What a gift he is!

Before we close this week’s pastoral notes, our Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Meredith Suits, wants to get you thinking about the summer. Take a look at what she and her team are cooking up for our kiddos:

Spring is here! And while it’s beautiful to see the flowers blooming and the lovely shades of green appearing, I’ve spent the recent sunny afternoons daydreaming about summer adventures. For the children’s ministry, our biggest summer adventure will be VBS at Jim Warren Park on June 1-3 (I know––technically still spring, but we all know that June in Tennessee feels like summer!)

Our theme is “Rooted,” and we will focus on the truth that God plants seeds in our hearts which grow the deep roots of our faith. These roots later yield the fruit of the Spirit as God sanctifies us and makes us more like him. Our prayer is that the children who attend will see the ways God has planted seeds in their hearts and believe that God will nurture and care for them, yielding good fruit throughout their lives!

We currently have several volunteers signed up to help with VBS, and our team is so grateful for all the interest and enthusiasm. But we still need more help! We need a few more volunteers each night, but even if you can’t attend VBS, there are simple but important ways you can serve. Please click HERE to learn how you can help or HERE to register your child for VBS.

Mark the evenings of June 1-3 on your calendars! (In fact, mark May 31, too, as we will have a VBS kick-off for families to fellowship together and get kids ready for the rest of the week’s activities.) Begin praying for the children of Cornerstone! We want VBS to be a time for our children to reflect on their relationship with God and one another, and a time when they feel deeply loved and cared for by the church. ––Sincerely, Meredith

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, April 17, 2022

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Holy week is the crescendo of the Christian calendar, because the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the center of the Christian faith. And the cross and resurrection are the center of Christian faith because the greatest need of every person who has ever lived is salvation.

Why do I say that your greatest need and mine is salvation? Because a day is coming when you and I will die. And after death, comes the judgment (Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27). At the judgment, the state of our souls will be judged by God. If you have never trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, you will spend eternity away from God in torment because of the guilt of your sin. But if you know Jesus Christ and have committed your life to him, you already know the joy and peace of salvation, and you look forward to the day of Christ’s return and dwelling with him in the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21).

As Christians, we believe and celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ took the penalty for our sin on the cross and defeated our last enemy, death. Through his atoning death and victorious resurrection, salvation is secured for anyone who will call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13).

If that’s you today, praise the Lord! You are secure in Christ by faith in the finished work of Jesus, sealed for the day of redemption. But if that’s not you, if you do not know the certainty, comfort, and joy of salvation, then you’re in the right place. In fact, the Scripture tells us God knows all things and has planned all things. That means it’s no mistake you’re here today. In worship, seek the Lord while he may be found (Isaiah 55:6), for today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

By God’s grace, I pray you will come to know Jesus Christ savingly. What a glorious thing it would be on Resurrection Sunday for your soul to experience resurrection life and power! That is my prayer for you. That having entered the chapel without Christ, you will leave in loving fellowship with him, walking in newness of life. Fly to him! Call upon him! He will answer you.

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, April 10, 2022

Dear Cornerstone Family,

Today is Palm Sunday, the official beginning of Holy Week. On this day, we remember the shouts of “Hosanna” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a humble donkey. We also remember that in the midst of this worshipful celebration, tears were streaming down Jesus’s face. The juxtaposition of joy and tears has led centuries of Christians to ask, “Why was Jesus crying?”

Were these tears of joy at the receptance he was receiving? As he saw men, women, and children rejoicing in God’s salvation, was he overcome with emotion? Or were these tears of fear? As joyous as this moment was, the hour of crucifixion was fast approaching. Maybe Jesus unable to enter into the festivity for fear of the soon-in- coming pain of the cross.

Upon reflection, it becomes clear. These were neither tears of joy nor fear. These were tears of grief. As Jesus entered the Kedron valley, he caught a glimpse of the Holy City in the distance. When he did, the Scripture tells us he broke down in tears, for the people did not know the time of visitation (Luke 19:41-44).

On the surface, it sure seems like people knew this was the time of visitation. They were singing and dancing in the streets. They were laying down their cloaks in the road and waving leafy branches in celebration. They were even quoting Scripture and applying it to Jesus Christ appropriately. What’s the problem?

Jesus saw behind the fanfare to the spiritual darkness. He knew they had ideas about who he was. He knew they had expectations about what he would do. He also knew they were wrong about it all.

For instance, he had not come, as they supposed, to reestablish the glories of David’s kingdom as an earthly political ruler. Rather, he came as a spiritual Savior, to establish a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). He wasn’t coming to destroy Rome and free Jerusalem from Roman oppression as they surmised. Instead, he came to free his people from the oppression of sin and death, to establish a people for himself from every kindred, tribe, and nation (Romans 8:1-2; Revelation 7:9). His concern was not the earthly stones of Jerusalem or its temple as they assumed; his focus was on the living stones of a new Jerusalem, a city whose builder and maker is God (1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 11:10). In short, Jesus was the deliverer they needed, but he wasn’t the deliverer they wanted.

As we enter Holy Week together, that haunts me a bit. I wonder how often I’m serving and worshipping a Jesus of my own personal hopes and imaginings rather than the Jesus revealed in the Scripture. I wonder how much of the world’s assumptions have filtered into and shaped my perceptions about Jesus and the Christian life. I wonder as Jesus Christ approaches us today by the Word and Spirit in worship, does he weep? Does he see us quoting Scripture, singing, and waving palm branches, and yet misunderstanding who he is and what it means to follow him?

As we walk through this week together, let’s pray for God to strip away false notions and prune earthly assumption about Jesus and his mission. And let’s even plead with God to restore a robustly biblical vision of Jesus Christ and his kingdom.

Your servant,