Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 16, 2023

Dear Cornerstone Family,

I’m pleased to report that our new Director of Youth and Families, Drew Abercrombie, and his wife, Kelly, and their two sons, Samuel and Silas, arrived in middle Tennessee this week. For the next several weeks, the Abercrombies will be settling into their new place and easing into life here in Franklin. Drew will officially step into the role of Director of Youth and Families on August 1st.

If you haven’t already, please mark your calendars for Sunday August 6th. In between services (9:45-10:35am), we will officially introduce the Abercrombies and spend time getting to know Drew. We would love to see all Cornerstone members present, especially Cornerstone Youth and parents!

Now, last week I mentioned three books I completed in June, and several of you asked me if I enjoy watching movies, too. The short answer is, “Yes!” I do love a good movie (though I find them harder to come by these days).

Christy and I did catch “A Man Called Otto” about a month ago. It’s an excellent film based on the book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. It’s the story of a man––Ove in the book, Otto in the movie––who lost his wife and then lost his will to live. The story follows Ove’s/Otto’s descent into isolation and suicidal despair toward a redeemed—even resurrected—life full of vocational purpose and meaningful relationships. It’s a touching film with a compelling script and great acting. If you watch it, pay close attention to the gospel arc in the story.

On that note, we enjoy watching movies together as a church community from time to time. When we watch films, there are several principles we keep in mind. But one in particular comes to mind right now.

When you watch movies, consider the leading questions and concerns of the film and how those questions and concerns relate to our cultural moment and the gospel. Movies are a window or an inside track to what the culture thinks is important. If we’re reflective about our movie intake and pay attention to the questions and concerns being raised, and then prayerfully reflect on the connection between the questions and concerns and the gospel, we will be better prepared to bear witness for Christ in our time and place.

On that note, Julie Davis encourages us to ask four questions each time we watch a movie:

• What does this movie say/teach about God?
• What does the movie say/teach about humanity?
• What does the movie teach/portray as the basis for right and wrong?

• What does the movie claim to be the purpose/meaning of life?

Now, a lot more could be said, but if you started with these four questions, and reflectively considered how the answers to these questions are corrected by or are in keeping with the gospel, your movie watching experience will be enriched all the more. More than that, you might be better equipped to give a wise and compelling defense for the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15).

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 9, 2023

Dear Cornerstone family,

Several of you have recently asked me what’s on my reading list this summer. As per usual, the list is long, but I’m sad to say, the page turning has been minimal. With that said, here are three titles I finished in June:

The Genesis of Gender by Abigail Favale – I first heard of this book on Kevin DeYoung’s excellent podcast, Life, Books, and Everything. Favale was a one-time devotee to feminist ideology who has returned to the Christian faith and a Christian understanding of sexuality. With a mix of theology, philosophy, and personal anecdote – namely, the birth story of her first child – Favale carefully exposes the errors of modern gender theories and makes a persuasive case for why a Christian understanding of male and female makes the best sense of the human person.

C.S. Lewis: A Life by Alistair McGrath – I’ve read a half a dozen Lewis biographies over the years, and I would rank this one in the top three. McGrath retells the twists and turns of Lewis’s life and intellectual development, highlighting his peculiar genius and prophetic contributions. It’s a highly readable, surprisingly intimate portrait of a profound man. If you love Lewis, you’ll love McGrath’s work.

The Riddle of Life by J.H. Bavinck – Originally written in 1940, this simple theological treatise was translated a few years from Dutch to English. In a word, it’s an apologetic text written by a missionary, addressing fundamental questions of human existence with simplicity and beauty. In less than a hundred pages, Bavinck provides a robust defense of the Christian faith.

Everett Vencel

Books aside, let’s talk people! I want to take a moment to introduce you to a couple of new staff members at Cornerstone. First, meet Mr. Everett Vencel. A native Californian and a rising senior at New College Franklin, Everett is coming on as Media Coordinator. With seven years of experience in media arts, Everett will lead our media team overseeing livestream, sound, video, and the soon-to-be podcast. Beyond his interest in media, Everett loves reading books and playing ultimate Frisbee. He also makes a mean baked potato!

For the last several years, Mr. Jeremy Steffens has faithfully served in sound and livestream. Though taking a step back from the helm, Jeremy will continue to play a supportive role on the media team. It is impossible to adequately express our thankfulness to Jeremy for his years of faithful labor. In a word, we couldn’t have made the advances we made during COVID without his faithful labors. He has been a godsend for us in so many ways.

Tucker Alexander

Second, meet Mr. Tucker Alexander. Tucker is exploring a call to ministry. Toward that end, he is coming on for a one-year pastoral internship. Tucker is the youngest of four children and lived most of his growing up years in Brentwood, TN. He is a graduate of Columbia State Community College (Franklin, TN) and Reformation Bible College (Sanford, FL). He currently works as an accountant for a marketing agency in Cool Springs. He enjoys traveling to visit his family and friends and spending time outdoors.

We’re looking forward to seeing how the Lord will use Everett and Tucker on staff at Cornerstone!

Your servant,



 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, July 2, 2023

Dear Cornerstone family,

If all has gone according to plan, I had the privilege to officiate the wedding of Max Shell and Kelley Crampton this weekend in Tupelo, MS, and then hustled down to Jackson, MS, where I am preaching this morning at First Presbyterian Church. As many of you know, I served at First Pres. Jackson for seven years before moving to Franklin to plant Cornerstone Pres, so it’s something of a reunion to be back in this historic congregation. Dr. David Strain, Senior Minister at First Pres Jackson, is on a three- month sabbatical, so it’s an honor to step in and serve my friend during this much needed time of rest.

July is a busy season of ministry at Cornerstone! There are opportunities on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings in July for you to study the Scripture and fellowship with God’s people. Please pay close attention to the Focus on Church Ministry page of the bulletin and Life at Cornerstone midweek email to stay up to date. On that note, if you’re not currently receiving Life at Cornerstone, please go to our homepage (www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org), scroll to the bottom of the page and sign up.

On this July 4th weekend, I am sure many of you will be firing up the grill, enjoying some homemade ice cream, and lighting up the sky with fireworks. As you celebrate, please remember the men and women who have served faithfully to ensure the freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America. Despite the fact that there are many aspects of our national life today that concern and even grieve us, we still have so much to be thankful for. In fact, the measure of freedom we continue to enjoy in this country is remarkable. Chief among them, the freedom to do what we’re doing right now—worship! Beloved, let us never take this freedom for granted.

As we exercise our freedom to worship today, let’s remember WHO we look to for help and hope. Not to princes who cannot save (Psalm 146:3) but to our God (Psalm 121:1-2) who has set His son, Jesus Christ, on the throne of heaven and given him the name above every name (Philippians 2:9). Only under His blessed rule are we free indeed (John 8:36).

Therefore, let freedom ring––the freedom that is ours in Christ (Galatians 5:1)!

Your servant,

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 25, 2023

Dear Cornerstone family,

The fiscal year at Cornerstone runs from July 1 to June 30, which means we’re headed into the final few days of our 2022- 2023 fiscal year. As we draw this fiscal year to a close, we want to thank you for the generous way you’ve given to the work of ministry. Through your gifts, God has provided all we need and more, and for this we rejoice!

During the last two years, our membership and ministry has grown exponentially, and with growth comes increased needs. As we embark on a new fiscal year, we humbly ask you to maintain and even prayerfully consider increasing your giving to Cornerstone this year. With added staff, expanded ministries, a new building and renovations, the next fiscal year will be the most financially demanding year in Cornerstone’s existence.

Praise God, we are entering the next fiscal year in a healthy position, and we have every reason to believe that our Good Shepherd will supply all our needs yet again through your faithful and sacrificial giving (Philippians 4:19). We will be back in touch with you soon regarding the 2023-2024 Cornerstone budget presentation. Please be on the lookout for that!

Now, as we continue our emphasis on missions this June, I asked Rev. Tony Giles to update us on his leadership coaching work with Serge. Please give close attention to his report:

My grandmother was the neighborhood seamstress. I can close my eyes and hear her vintage Singer sewing machine whirling from the spare bedroom. I think of her most every time I explain what it is I do in my role with Serge.

A “serger” is a sewing machine with a specific design and purpose. It takes two ragged edges of cloth and forms them into a beautiful seam. Wholeness and beauty where once were frayed edges. That’s just what the gospel does in our lives! The gospel takes the frayed, torn, and broken parts of our lives and brings them together into a whole—made beautiful by the transforming power of the gospel.

Serge is an international missions organization bringing together mission and spiritual renewal. The tagline is “Grace at the Fray.” No surprise, becoming a pastor or ministry leader doesn’t exempt you from the trials and failings of being a sinful, broken person. At Serge, we realize we need the grace of the gospel in our own lives, even as we take the message of God’s grace to others. Our work consists of helping people experience on-going gospel transformation and equipping them to move outward into mission.

My role at Serge is in the Renewal end of things working with pastors and church leaders all over the country in two distinct ways:

  • Church Leader Development is individualized coaching through online meetings twice a month with a three day site visit somewhere along the way. The issues and challenges of each leader are unique. Find out more about how it works here: serge.org/church-leader-development

  • Beginning this fall, I will be facilitating Leadership Lab, a nine-month online leadership course for emerging, developing or seasoned Christian leaders in a local church setting. After a year of editing and testing the material, it’s now ready to go. Pray as we launch this new initiative with two cohorts this fall. You can learn more at: serge.org/leadership-lab

    “Grace at the fray” describes my need to a “T.” I desperately need your prayers. If any of you would like to receive the update/prayer letter I send out a few times a year, just let me know. I remain so very grateful for the Cornerstone Session’s readiness to allow me this time to serve beyond the walls of the church I love.

 

Pastoral Notes for Sunday, June 18, 2023

Dear Cornerstone family,

On the behalf of your commissioners––Ron Moffat, Jim Payne, Tony Giles, and yours truly–– thank you for praying as we served this week at the PCA General Assembly in Memphis, TN. The Lord heard your prayers! The business was conducted decently and in order, the doctrinal commitments of our denomination were upheld, and a warm spirit of collegiality was enjoyed by elders and pastors alike. It was a wonderful week of spiritual encouragement and God- honoring business.

This year was the 50th anniversary of the PCA, our Golden Jubilee year. In the Scripture, the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) was a year of recognizing God’s favor and celebrating God’s grace. Appropriately, at this year’s GA we spent time rehearsing our denominational history and giving testimony to God’s faithfulness to the PCA over the last fifty years. My heart is full of thanksgiving for the PCA and its enduring commitment to Scriptures, the Reformed Faith, and the Great Commission.

Now, speaking of the Great Commission, I am delighted this morning to welcome Rev. Andy Young, a Cornerstone supported missionary/church planter, to the Cornerstone pulpit. Andy is ordained with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of England and Wales and is the Pastor of Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian

Church in Oxford, England. Andy has been married to Davina for 20 years and together have four wonderful daughters: Alicia (17), Emelia (15), Beatrice (13), and Arabella (8). By his own admission, Andy loves people, books and all sports. Coffee is addicted to him (not the other way around). And, as a native Welshman, Andy has, sadly, been consistently overlooked by the Welsh Rugby Union for selection to the national team. J

Andy is a gifted preacher, a faithful minister, and a dear friend. Last summer I had the privilege to spend a day with Andy in Oxford and see first-hand the work the Lord is doing through Andy and Oxford Evangelical Presbyterian Church. I am deeply grateful for his willingness to serve God’s Word to us today, and I am thrilled that you have an opportunity to sit under his ministry.

Your servant,