Dear Cornerstone family,
Happy anniversary! On the 20th of November—thirteen years ago—Cornerstone was received as a member church in the Presbyterian Church in America. Over the last thirteen years, we’ve seen God do amazing things in our midst, and I’m thrilled for the special opportunity today in worship to remember God’s faithfulness, retell the stories of God’s grace, and together renew our commitment to God’s call.
When we were preparing for our ten-year anniversary (three years ago), a friend asked me that week, “What’s one truth that stands out to you after ten years of pastoring Cornerstone?” Like a reflex of soul, I responded, “How much we all need Jesus.” Then, after a short pause I added, “And how much we all need the church.”
The claim that we all need Jesus is a given. Who would disagree with that? But the claim that we all need the church? Well, that’s a different story. For many in our day, church is a nice addition, an optional extra. Few today are convinced of the necessity of the church.
Nevertheless, every Sunday in worship we confess with the ancient church that we believe in the “one holy catholic church.” When we do that, we are claiming that our faith in Christ can’t be extricated from other Christians. Jesus didn’t die for us to be saved individuals; He died to make us a people. When we are saved, we are saved into community. Our faith in Christ is personal, but it’s never private. We absolutely need the church because we are the church. As the third century church father Cyprian once said, “You can no longer have God for your Father, if you have not the church as your Mother.”
In preparation for today’s service, I took a half hour to think back on the thirteen years of Cornerstone’s existence. As I did so, stories came flooding back to mind. Stories of salvation, of overcome addictions, of restored marriages. Stories of lost members, divorces, and apostasy. Stories of weddings, births, and funerals. Stories of new member classes, of hospital visits, and of hard church discipline cases. I had a hard time fighting back the tears—tears of joy and, yes, some tears of sadness, too. Such is the nature of church life and ministry.
But one overriding emotion suffused the whole time of reflection—gratefulness. Truly, I consider it one of the greatest blessings in life to be numbered among you. That’s to say nothing of the high honor—an honor I do not deserve—to be called your pastor. What an amazing gift!
On this 13th anniversary Sunday, let’s enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4)! Let’s be whole-hearted and full-throated as we sing to God and testify of His goodness toward us in Jesus Christ, and, yes, the gift of the church.
Let’s worship God!
Your servant,
