On Sunday, May 5th, we announced the need to raise $30,000 by the end of the budget year (June 30) to be in the clear financially on the landscape project. Thanks to several of you, money has started to trickle in. In the last week, $1450 has been given toward the project! That means we have $28,550 to go! Whether $10 or $10,000, we'd love to see everyone contribute something—even if it’s just the nickels and dimes buried in your couch cushions! Please prayerfully consider going above and beyond your normal tithes and offerings and help us achieve this goal. When you give, remember to write “Landscape” on the memo line of your check or contact the church office if you'd like to contribute in another way.
Also, if you weren’t present for our congregational meeting on April 26th, I gave a brief update on our search for a second Assistant Pastor. At that meeting, I reminded the attendees of Tony Giles’ shift in hours this past year. As Tony continues to faithfully listen to God’s call on his life, he began to sense a desire to spend a bit more of his time in helping pastors in church leader development. For those of you that have been on the receiving side of Tony’s gospel coaching and discipleship, this was no surprise. God has uniquely crafted our brother with abilities of perception and wisdom for encouraging and developing leaders. In fact, that’s why Serge (previously World Harvest Mission) came knocking on his door! Just as the Lord was stirring this desire in Tony, Serge began looking for someone to help pastors in personal leader development, multiplication, and discipleship. It proved to be a match. In addition to his work at the church, Tony has spent 15 hours a week working with a number of pastors from around the U.S. and even the world. It’s been a joy to see our brother use his gifts to bless pastors around the globe!
As this shift in hours took place, we had to answer some questions on our end. For while Tony’s hours at Cornerstone were decreasing slightly, the ministry needs were increasing! A conversation about how to meet these increasing needs began to take shape among the elders. In time, that conversation turned into a search for a second Assistant Pastor.
Right now, the Personnel Committee is speaking with a small band of qualified ministerial candidates. Though each man is unique and brings his own mix of gifts and graces to the table, we believe each man is a strong candidate for the role. It would be premature to say much by way of timelines, but we want you to know that in the not-too-distant future, we could be extending a call to one of these candidates. We ask for your prayers as we continue to interview, deliberate, and seek God’s face for wisdom. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the elders or myself. We would be happy to speak with you.