Dear Cornerstone Family,
We made it. Happy anniversary, Cornerstone! Ten years ago, Cornerstone was received as a member church in the Presbyterian Church in America. Over the last ten years, we’ve seen God do amazing things, and I’m thrilled for the special opportunity today in worship to remember God’s faithfulness and rejoice in God’s grace as together we renew our commitment to God’s call.
Knowing we were preparing for today’s anniversary, a friend asked me this week, “What’s one truth that stands out to you after ten years of pastoring Cornerstone?” Like a reflex of soul, I quickly 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. I’m remembering just now a conversation I shared with a young lady some years ago. She was questioning the importance of the church, and I was making a defense for its necessity. After reflecting with her on several key Scriptural images for the church, I quoted John Calvin, who was channeling the early church father Cyprian when he said that a person can “...no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother.” That’s Calvin’s way of saying you can’t have one (salvation) without the other (the church). They are a packaged deal.
Every Sunday in worship we confess to believe in “one holy catholic church.” When we do that, we are claiming that our faith in Christ can’t be extricated from other Christians. That Jesus didn’t just die for persons individually; he died to make us a people. When we are saved, we are saved into a community. Our faith in Christ is personal, but it’s never private. In summary, we need the church, because we are the church.
When we bring together the realization of how much we need Jesus with how much we need the church, we’re brought to the realization of how important it is to offer praise and thanksgiving to God. In preparation for today, I took time to think back on the ten years of Cornerstone’s existence. As I did so, I had a hard time finding the words to express the depth of my gratitude.
The love and patience you’ve shown to me and my family over the years simply blows me away. The care and generosity you’ve displayed toward one another has been nothing short of exemplary. The impact you’ve made in Franklin and beyond is striking. As one pastor recently told me, “When it comes to witness, Cornerstone punches above its weight.” He’s absolutely right, and to God be the glory!
Truly, it’s a privilege to simply be numbered among you. That’s to say nothing of being your pastor! An honor I do not deserve, but one I most deeply cherish. It’s true, my friends, the lines have fallen in pleasant places for us. God has been faithful beyond our wildest imaginings. So, let’s do what we came here to do! Let’s enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise today. Let’s be whole- hearted and full-throated in our worship, acknowledging first the goodness of our God toward us in Christ and, secondly, in the gift of Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Let’s worship God!
Grace & Peace,
