“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Register here for the Women’s Retreat

In these 40 days of Lent I’ve been reading along with many of my Cornerstone friends through a common text of scripture by way of the Asbury Reader – titled Two Stories. It’s a remarkable journey we have been on so far. These words are finding their ways into our lives, showing up in our conversations, shaping our thoughts. I’ve seen a surprising surge of interest in this new way of reading scripture together in community (which is really an ancient spiritual practice).

Along the way JD Walt – Sr. Editor of the Common Text Project and Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Seminary – is offering us some short teaching video clips that compliment our readings. This one in particular captured me this morning and wanted to share it with you all.

Today we are only on day 14 of 40 so come and read with us. You can pick up a hard copy of the reader at or Cornerstone bookstore or just read daily at asburyreader.com. Come follow Him with us.

Second Saturday is for anyone and everyone. This is an opportunity for members and attenders of Cornerstone to give back to our community, to make an impact on someone’s life and to live obediently in the life of service that Jesus has called us to. The event only lasts from 8 am- noon. We do not provide childcare, but we offer something for people of all skill levels. So come serve as a family and as a part of the larger family that makes up Cornerstone Church. No registration is required.

It is time for a little spring cleaning at Cornerstone!  We will be doing everything from kitchen cleaning and chair dusting to lawn work.  There will be projects for families and individuals. There is no childcare, but there will be something for even the littlest ones to do.

BigStuf is more than just a summer camp; it is an experience. Come along with the Cornerstone Youth as we experience God together in a new and fresh way.

This year’s theme for BigStuf is “Think”. Cost is $375, and $100 is due by April 7 to secure your spot. Space is limited, so sign up soon! Go to BigStuf or the Cornerstone Youth Page for upcoming details.  If you are planning on registering for the camp, please make sure you download and fill out the forms below that are needed for registration, including the releases for both Cornerstone and BigStuf. You can register and pay all in the same place; just go to the registration link below.

BigStuf Registration

2010 Medical Release

2010 BigStuf Camp Permission

First, if you’re tracking with the conversation on the ‘missional church’ or ‘missional living’ then some/much of what you read below might be familiar to you. I’m just pulling together the conversations I’ve been having and the teachings that have been shaping me. Second, you might suggest, ‘missional’ is just a hip term for living obediently as Christ has called us to live. You’re right. The problem is, so many aren’t living like that. So let’s dive in. Here’s what I’m learning and thinking about missional living.

To me, the best way to start this conversation is to look at a picture. I’m kind of a visual person. I’m not sure where I picked this up, but I know I’ve seen it at Entermission once or twice.

On the left side we see what we might call the nominal Christian. Here, Jesus is just a compartment in the box we call our life. It seems that this is the American way. We’ve got so much going on and Jesus hasn’t really impacted our life in a massive way and so we compartmentalize our faith. I put Jesus in parenthesis here because really, this compartment is about our religion and church an hour or two a week. It’s not even primary in the box. Its just worked in there a little ways down. Sometimes, these people will go on a mission trip or invite someone to join them when they go to this box once a week. But, in truth, Jesus is not allowed to affect the other boxes.

The right side is where we see missional living played out. Jesus is at the center of a circle or a wheel. He is the hub. Here he has affected the believer. This person sees Jesus as the only thing that satisfies. Because of this he bleeds over and affects all parts of the persons life. He is not a compartment. He is the central piece and the other parts of this person’s life are not only affected by Jesus but they require him to be in the center making them move (clearly this wheel would not move very well due to its funky shape, but I’m no Picasso). Every part of this person’s life is about sharing what is happening at the hub. Not in a weird way. But a genuine way.

The missional life understands what is happening in 2 Corinthians 5. We have been reconciled to God. This truth humbles us and rocks us to the core. Then we are further humbled when we hear, “we have been given the ministry of reconciliation.” This does not mean, once a week for an hour and the rest of your life is not affected by what Jesus has done in your life. It does not mean that it is just up to the ‘pastor’ or the ‘professional Christian’. Because the passage goes on and it says, “we are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.” All of us have been given this message and title. Ambassadors take the message and go. They are sent. They engage the culture they are sent to. They no longer see people as “you are here to serve me,” rather, “I am here to serve you and show you the hope of Christ in me and the freedom I have found in him.”

Suddenly, knowing my barista’s name is important, and knowing what’s happening in his life is more important. The other parents at the soccer field suddenly matter more than they did before. The people in the cubicles next to me are not only my co-workers but friends who are put in my life for me to serve and demonstrate the attitude of Christ Jesus. Everywhere I go, it is my responsibility to engage the culture, to leave the four walls and make Christ more than just an hour on Sunday or a Bible study on Thursday nights. You name the area. Christ is affecting it.

Missional living. That’s the start of the conversation for me…

A big part of serving Jesus is serving others. Volunteering at Cornerstone is not only about serving others but also growing in Christ as you serve others. Join us for VolunTour where you will learn why volunteering is important, what your next step is and what opportunities are available. Members of our volunteer team will be available to answer any questions you may have. The evening will include an “ice cream bar” as well as a tour of the Cornerstone facilities.

Please see the form below to register for this event and for childcare. We hope to see you there!

Coming this July we will be having our first annual summer camp for our 4th and 5th grade kids.

Summer Camp Info:

Who: All children currently in 4th or 5th grade.

What: We’re attending Student Life For Kids, a fun and energetic retreat – similar to youth camps, like BigStuf, but designed for preteens.
Using high-energy music, sketches and videos – crazy recreation games – and super fun small groups, students will experience the Bible in new and exciting ways.

Watch the Kidscamp Video for more information about the Kidscamp.

Why: Students have the chance to remove distractions and focus on their relationship with God in a fun, kid-friendly way.

When: July 16 – 19.
Where: Shocco Springs Conference Center – visit http://www.shocco.org.

Cost: $289 (Includes the camp, food, transportation and lodging)
Deposit: $100 due by April 1st.
Remaining balance due: June 15.

Complete the forms below to register and pay online. For more information, please attend our 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Parent Meeting on Sunday, February 28 at 3 p.m.  We’ll be discussing all things related to this age, including Student Life camp. You can also contact michael@cornerstonebuzz.org for more information.

Register for Camp Shocco

Download 2010 Medical Release