Where we are: the State of the Church

In this message from Eph 5, we look at where Cornerstone has been, where it is, and hopefully where it is going in the near future. Click here for the recording of this 1/4/26 Service, and you can fast-forward to 36:47 to get to the start of the sermon.

Ephesians 5.15-17:

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus

1. We need to be intentional (akribos- diligent, precise) about how we live

2. Not as foolish, but as wise (sofos- skilled, clever)

3. Making the best use (redeeming, using wisely) of our time, because of the evil times in which we live

4. Don’t be foolish (unwise, ignorant); perceive clearly what the will of the Lord is

How these translate to Cornerstone

1. Do ministry with and for biblical purpose

2. Practice wisdom- the right use of knowledge

3. Steward the time we have to maximum effectiveness

4. Pray for His discernment regarding His will

What I observed when I first arrived 3 yrs ago

1. Some Cultural Christians, who talked of the past, but who voiced no real relationship with Jesus, a passion for the lost, or vision for the present or future

2. Some who did not handle conflict in a biblical way

3. Some who were relationally dysfunctional

4. People who love Jesus and need leadership

5. A core group of people with leadership potential

6. A church with a healthy financial picture

SWOT analysis 1/4/26

• Strengths

• Weaknesses

• Opportunities

• Threats

Strengths

1. A core group of people who love Jesus and each other

2. A strong leader/pastor, who knows his bible, is well trained, communicates well, and knows how to disciple

3. A strong financial picture

4. People who are responsive to financial need- the parking lot, missions pledges, the sign

5. A building that is well maintained and visually appealing

6. A leadership team beginning to gather around fostered vision

Weaknesses

1. Too slow to adapt to strategic change

2. Past relational dysfunction

3. Past lack of conflict resolution

4. Weak male spiritual leadership in the home

Opportunities

1. A great location giving broad access to the 30 corridor

2. A high tech sign that will draw attention to our presence

3. Land for building expansion and/or development for sports ministry

4. Outwardly focused events that draw people on to our property

5. The Before and After School Program with the YMCA

6. Missions emphases that impact locally, regionally, nationally and internationally

Threats

1. Unresolved conflict and internal division

2. Cultural Christianity

3. Consumerism without contribution

4. People who consistently choose other activities over regular church attendance and discipleship

5. Churches as seen as soft targets for domestic terrorism

People who cannot help us grow

• People who migrate from church to church

• People who don’t prioritize church and discipleship over other things

• Those with unresolved conflict

• Those who look to consume without contribution

We need to grow with people we can build on

1. People who want to be discipled under the Lordship of Christ

2. People who will regularly submit to the discipleship process- ¾ sundays per month, a small group

3. People who want to contribute time, talent, treasure in ministry

4. People who want to pursue real congregational worship over merely singing songs

Going forward

1. The US church must prepare for the future by attracting a younger disciple, in a biblical way

2. We must prepare the next generation to lead the church

3. We need to focus on meaningful worship that appeals to multiple generations

4. We need to be true to the biblical values we hold as a church

5. My goal is to prep this church for the future, then slowly transfer leadership in a way that won’t create trauma