Since Cornerstone began 10 years ago small groups have been at the very core of our ministry.  We see it as a place where people connect to others and to Jesus in deep transformational ways.  And during these years we have supported small groups with child childcare – as many people would not be able to participate otherwise.

For most of this time we have provided childcare on-site at the Church on two nights of the week.  As we have grown and had more people engage in small groups, providing childcare that is both cost effective and excellent has become more and more challenging, causing us to re-evaluate and ask a number of questions.

We’ve wrestled with questions like, “Can we sustain this level of childcare as the church and small group participation continues to grow?  Are we doing our best at stewarding the resources entrusted to us?  Is providing childcare at the church a barrier for people to participate who live or would meet far away from the church?  What more intentional ministry to our children are we missing out on by pouring time, energy and financial resources into in childcare?”  This has been a challenge for our leadership to say the least, but we’ve been ready to address it.

Through wrestling with these challenges, seeking wisdom from the Lord and in consulting with several other like-minded churches of similar size we have come to a conclusion.  Starting this fall we will no longer be offering childcare for small groups at the Church site – but moving to a reimbursement system.  In essence, parents will now be arranging their own childcare and then be reimbursed by the church.  While this is offered to everyone, it is our hope that families who do not need this financial support in order to participate will not take advantage of these resources. (Some may also choose to submit to be reimbursed only every other meeting or only in particular times of need.) On-site childcare will continue to be provided for other normally scheduled large group gatherings held at the church (Wednesday’s Beth Moore Women’s Study, Cornerstone 101, Cornerstone Connect, Journey Bible Classes, etc.).  Attached you will find a terms and conditions document as well as the reimbursement form for you to review.  This form will be accessible from our “Small Group” page on the website.

Our overall decision to go this direction involved a number of complex factors.  So I wanted to offer some more background on the “Why?” of this decision.

1. To give leaders and small group participants more flexibility. Groups can now meet on any day of the week at any time they wish – and are no longer limited to the Sunday/Tuesday evenings when childcare has been available at the church.  This also provides better alternatives for families that live and groups that meet far away from the church (Imagine living in and participating in a group that meets in Camden Ridge or on the other side of Opelika.  Offering childcare at the church actually becomes more of a barrier to these individuals.)
2. To provide a system of childcare that will accommodate Cornerstone’s growth and the future growth of small groups. If we were to double the number of small group (as we hope to) we would not be able to sustain the level of excellence, funding, space, etc. for childcare.  The reimbursement system is one that will better support more people being involved in small groups as the church continues to grow. Our consulting with several other like-minded churches of similar size or larger confirmed this.
3. To be better stewards of Cornerstone’s financial resources. A common problem we experienced in staffing for childcare was that we were often overstaffed.  The number of children expected was rarely the same as the number that actually showed up – often much less.  For example, we would staff 6 workers for the expected needs when only 3 would end up being needed.  The reimbursement system will allow the allocated resources to more precisely match the needs.
4. To save money. This reimbursement system is intended for those people who otherwise would not be able to participate in a small group.  It is our hope that families who do not need this financial support in order to participate in a small group will not take advantage of these resources. (Some may also choose to submit to be reimbursed only every other meeting or only at times needed.) Going to this system will also eliminate other hidden employment costs that the church incurs with childcare staff (FICA and Unemployment Tax matching, background checks, cost/time of recruiting, screening, interviewing, etc.).  Overall we expect the reimbursement system to reduce costs and while this is not the dominant reason for this change it is a significant one.
5. To free up Cornerstone leadership from time in managing/coordinating childcare, allowing them to invest their time and energy in more meaningful ministry to our children.

I am fully aware of the many implications of a change like this.  Myself and others involved in this decision are aware of the sacrifice, extra effort and responsibility that parents must take to continue to participate in a small group.  For some, it won’t be as easy as before.  People will have to arrange their own babysitters, and maybe do things differently.  So for those of you committed small group folks – I’m asking you to stick with it, stay committed, adapt, and be creative.  What we are doing here is that important.   These are the kinds of things we as the people of Cornerstone Church rise up to.  So as we go forward I ask for your understanding and flexibility as we all seek to be better stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

Leading People to Know and Serve Jesus…

Josh Agerton,
Pastor of Connections

Small Group Childcare Reimbursement Form

Small Group Childcare Terms & Conditions