The Gospel
The gospel is the beating heart of Scripture, the story of God’s covenant faithfulness erupting into history through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It’s not a disembodied message for individuals to clutch in isolation—it’s the proclamation of a King who has come to reclaim His world. God created us to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever, to take dominion over His good creation as His image-bearers. But we rebelled, seeking our own glory, and plunged the world into sin’s curse (Rom. 3:23). Yet God, in His steadfast love, bound Himself to us in covenant, sending His Son to live the life we couldn’t, die the death we deserved, and rise victorious to undo the curse. Through Christ’s ascension, He reigns now at the Father’s right hand (Psalm 110:1), pouring out His Spirit to draw His people—us and our children—into His covenant life. The gospel isn’t just about escaping wrath; it’s about being swept up into Christ’s kingdom, where every area of life submits joyfully to His Lordship. He’s coming again—not to abandon this world, but to perfect it, dwelling with His covenant people in a renewed creation.
The Church
The church isn’t a mere byproduct of the gospel; it’s the covenant community birthed by Christ’s victory, the family of God marked by baptism and nourished at His Table. It’s not an optional club for the hyper-spiritual—it’s the vanguard of the new humanity. Through the gospel’s power, God gathers His elect into a living body, not just to “be saved,” but to embody His reign here and now. At Cornerstone Reformed Church, we see the church as the covenant household—parents and children, young and old—united in worship, governed by His Word, and led by pastors and elders who shepherd us toward faithfulness. Our unity isn’t a fragile truce but a robust bond, forged by the Spirit, as we labor together to bring all of life under Christ’s crown.
The Mission of the Church
The church exists to disciple the nations (Matt. 28:18-20), not just to collect converts. Our mission at Cornerstone is to bring every area of life into joyful submission to the Lordship of Christ—family, culture, politics, everything. This isn’t a retreating, bunker-mentality faith; it’s postmillennial confidence that Christ’s kingdom will grow, that the gospel will triumph, and that the earth will be filled with His glory (Hab. 2:14). Local churches aren’t isolated outposts waiting for evacuation—they’re covenant strongholds, planting the flag of Christ’s reign in every corner of the world. We preach the gospel, baptize households, feast at the Lord’s Table, and train our people—adults and children alike—to take dominion for King Jesus. This is no timid gospel; it’s a war cry to subdue all things to Him who sits on the throne.
Church Membership
Membership isn’t a bureaucratic formality—it’s a covenantal reality. When a household is baptized, they’re brought into the family of God, sealed with the sign of Christ’s promise. Children don’t wait on the sidelines; they’re in by grace, called to grow in faith as they partake of the Supper with us. For baptized believers joining us, the congregation affirms their place among us. Members submit to Christ’s rule through His Word and the church’s shepherds, living out our Covenant and Confession of Faith. Together, we proclaim Christ’s Lordship in worship, preserve His covenant through discipline and the sacraments, adorn His name with holy lives, and advance His kingdom through bold witness and covenant nurture. Our children aren’t future members—they’re part of the fight now.
Church Discipline
Discipline is the church’s covenantal care in action. Daily, we exhort and correct one another as siblings in Christ. But when unrepentant sin threatens the body—especially gross rebellion—we act decisively. After patient pursuit of restoration, the congregation, under pastor and elder guidance, may bar the unrepentant from the Table, not out of spite, but to call them back to the covenant. This isn’t optional; it’s how we guard the purity of Christ’s bride and keep His kingdom advancing.
The Leadership of the Church
God equips His church with pastors, elders, and deacons to lead and serve under Christ’s headship. Pastors and elders shepherd by teaching, preaching, and modeling covenant faithfulness—a plurality ensuring no single voice dominates. The pastor may take the lead in preaching, expositing God’s Word to arm us for battle, but the whole Session (the plurality of pastors and elders together) share in oversight. Deacons handle practical needs, freeing the pastor and elders for prayer and the Word. Yet the congregation, as Christ’s body, holds final earthly authority in matters like discipline and doctrine, ensuring the gospel’s integrity. Together, we’re a disciplined army, not a passive audience, advancing Christ’s reign.
The Pastor
A pastor is a shepherd under the Great Shepherd, feeding the flock with God’s Word and leading them into the fray. The task of the pastor is to preach Christ’s Lordship over all, to disciple men for kingdom work, to pray without ceasing, and to trust God’s timing. And the leadership of the church helps the pastor in this task. Success isn’t counted in noses or nickels but in covenant fidelity—raising up families who wage war against the devil and build for Christ’s glory. Preaching isn’t just inspiration; it’s ammunition. Discipleship isn’t just chat; it’s training for dominion. Prayer isn’t a ritual; it’s dependence on the King who’s already won.
The Christian
Every Christian—man, woman, child—is a covenant warrior, baptized into Christ’s service. We covenant together in the local church, raising our households in the fear of the Lord, proclaiming His reign to the lost, and spurring one another toward holiness. From the nursery to the marketplace, we leverage every relationship for Christ’s kingdom, trusting that our labor in Him isn’t wasted (1 Cor. 15:58). We don’t wait for “mission trips”—our lives are the mission, here and now.
The Christian Life
The Christian life is all-out war and all-in worship. We gather weekly to pray God’s Word, read God’s Word, sing God’s Word, hear God’s Word preached, and taste and see God’s Word in the sacraments—where even our little ones partake, growing strong in covenant grace. We fight sin, pursue righteousness, and take dominion over every sphere God gives us—home, work, community. This isn’t mere pietism; it’s a joyful march under Christ’s banner, bringing all of life into submission to Him.
Culture Over Programs
Programs are flimsy scaffolding; culture is bedrock. At Cornerstone, we don’t lean on programs or events to do Christ’s work—we build a covenant culture where faithfulness to His Word is the air we breathe. Evangelism and discipleship aren’t add-ons; they’re woven into our life together. Christ promised to build His church (Matt. 16:18), and we’re His living program—families and households united in worship and work, tearing down strongholds and planting Christ’s flag.
A Culture of Evangelism
Evangelism isn’t a sales pitch—it’s heralding Christ’s kingship, calling all to bow to Him. We expect every member, young and old, to proclaim this good news naturally, boldly, and often. Our reputation? A people so gripped by Christ’s reign that no one can miss it.
A Culture of Discipling
Discipleship isn’t a seminar—it’s covenant life together. We train one another—parents their children, men their brothers, women their sisters—to wield the sword of the Spirit and live for Christ. Our love shouts His victory, proving we’re His disciples (John 13:35).
A Gospel-Centered Church for All Cultures
We don’t bend to the world’s cultures; we forge a kingdom culture rooted in God’s Word. This covenant life—baptizing households, feasting at the Table, raising dominion-takers—fits every nation, because Christ claims them all. Our goal isn’t adaptation; it’s transformation.