Introduction: A church is a complex Organization. It exists to
minister to the spiritual needs of a congregation of believers. In pursuit of
this goal, a church serves many related needs as well. And it does all this
within an organizational context that places the church in a web of external
relationships, some providing support, others implying obligations. And there
are multiple internal connections among individuals, groups, subgroups and
various programs.
Like any organization, the church has many roles or “jobs” performed by its
members. There are many positions of volunteer leadership. There is also a
paid staff. There are many activities that comprise the total ministry of the
church. All have varying degrees of connection to each other.
As with any complex organization, success in the church depends in large
part on the effectiveness of the interrelationship of the many parts, the many
activities, the many physical facilities and certainly the allocation of
financial resources among them all.
Cornerstone United Methodist Church and its' Ministries are a great source
of spiritual sustenance for its members, a shaper of children and youth, a
voice of compassion and care in the larger community, a celebration as God's
love in our lives and a source of hope that we are building a better world. To
be all these things, every member of Cornerstone must be empowered to support
that ministry. Empowerment depends on the spirit, on the will and an the
energy of members and friends. But it also depends upon knowledge and
understanding about the Church.
For some, it is necessary to know where they can go to be helped, to be
ministered to. For others, it is necessary to know what the opportunities are
helping. And for everyone, it is necessary to know how things are done. How is
the budget determined? How is the church school organized? How does one
participate in music? How are church facilities reserved, who can do it and
what are the costs? What does the United Methodist Church have to say about
Cornerstone and how it is run?
The answers to all these questions are accessible. Cornerstone is a very
open and inclusive church in every sense. But there has not been any one,
handy place that a member of Cornerstone or church leaders could go to get a
variety of questions answered. It is the hope of the Council that this manual
will fill and important need for every member and make the church all the more
significant in their lives.
Purposes of this Manual. Whether you are a long time member, or you
have just found our website, and have yet to come to your first service, we
hope this manual will answer many of your questions. We want you to get some
idea of who we are, our theological belief in
race reconciliation, our
background
and history,
what we believe, our
local church
policies,
church organization, our mission
and vision, our church
forms, and how to become a member
of our church. We'll introduce our
Pastor, staff and
lay leaders, and
explain what they do, and what you can do. We'll tell you our overall
mission as well as our goals and objectives.
We'll list our worship
schedule, and more. And you will get to know about
serving Christ through
United Methodist connectional giving.
The following questions are also important to every member of our Church
and the answers are designed to help you in the way of living a powerful and
wondrous life in Jesus Christ.
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What's Next for New Members? “Now that I’m a member of this
congregation, what can I expect? And what is expected of me?” A brief
description of commitments we make as members of a congregation and as
disciples of Christ.
You Can Make a Difference This section will help new leaders in our
congregation (or past leaders with new responsibilities) genuinely make a real
difference, and to invite and inspire others to do the same.
Ministry in My Community Here you will learn about serving your
neighbors and our community.
Caring for Others Care is as essential to human life as food and
drink. We are called and empowered by God to support and care for others,
following Jesus' example.
How to Pray for the Sick When we pray for the sick, we are using our
spirits as channels for God's Spirit to reach and heal.
How God Answers Prayer Do you sometimes wonder if God hears our
prayers? if God answers prayer? How God Answers Prayer is an assurance
of God's love and response to faithful prayer.
"As We Forgive Others" An examination of this challenging phrase
from The Lord's Prayer . . . what God's forgiveness means and what forgiveness
of others can mean for us as Christians.
How to Live at Your Best Ten steps toward a healthier, more
spiritual life.
Accepted: Understanding Our Relationship with God Four truths that
can bring your life new joy, meaning, and purpose.
25 Ways to Build Up a Church This leaflet for congregational members
provides 25 practical suggestions for strengthening and nurturing the life and
work of the congregation.
In this manual, we'll answer questions like: How are things done at
Cornerstone UMC? How is the budget determined? How is the church school
organized? How does one participate in music? How are church facilities
reserved, who can do it and what are the costs? What does the United Methodist
Church have to say about Cornerstone and how it is run? Where can you go to be
helped, to be ministered to? What are the opportunities for helping?
Preface: United
Methodist Church Organization
Section 1: Cornerstone United Methodist Church Organization
Section 2:
Cornerstone
United Methodist Church Staff and Members in Leadership
- Pastor: The Rev. Edgar De Jesus
- Chair of the Council: Richard Upchurch
- Vice Chair:
- Prayer Team: Karen Rossi
- Worship Leader:
- Welcome: Pearl Lee
- Hospitality: Jean Upchurch
- Outreach Hispanic: Antonia Ban
- Mission: Jeren Tollefson
- Cornerstone Christian Education Center: Melody Davis
- Web Master: Douglas Dalton
- Scout Coordinator: Jenny Swartz
- Sunday School Superintendent: Cheryl Shaffer
- Nursery Coordinator: Memorie Hamrick
- Children's Church Coordinator: Cheryl Shaffer
- Children's Choir Director:
- Youth: Taylor and Meredith Thompson
- UMYF President: Jean Upchurch
- Caring Ministry: Carol Bolin
- Safe Sanctuary: Sharon Upchurch
- Membership Secretary:
- Staff Pastor Parish Relations: Douglas Dalton
- Finance Chair: Fred Rossi
- Church Treasurer: Sharon Upchurch
- Council Secretary:
- Board of Trustees Chairperson: John Ban
- Lay Leader: Sharon Upchurch
- Lay Delegate to Annual Conference: Richard Upchurch
- Alternate Lay Delegate to Annual Conference: Douglas Dalton
- At Large: Melanie Carr, Ulrike Edmondson, and Steve Kublank
Section 3: Worship
Schedule
- Traditional Service at 11:00 am every Sunday
Section 4: Cornerstone's Real Property
Section 5: Cornerstone Finances. Cornerstone’s financial activities
are handled in two separate but inter-related ways. The
Finance Committee manages most of the visible activities within the local
budget. Cornerstone’s
Board of Trustees manages the property-related costs, both of capital
investment and repair and maintenance of the facilities.
- Local budget expenses support Cornerstone’s ministries and programs.
Much of their funding comes from offerings, and from donations or event
admissions.
- Although the conference assigns pastors, local congregations support the
pastors assigned.
- Congregations pay “apportionments.” These are based on a congregation’s
resources, determined each year by the local church’s budget for the
previous year. Formulas are set at the Annual Conference meeting.
Apportionments support:
- Costs of personnel and work of the conference, the national and
worldwide UMC, including pastors’ retirements
- Part of the costs of worldwide mission
Section 6:
The Church
Calendar. The Church maintains a combined church calendar reflecting
Cornerstone’s regular meetings and events, as well as church use by other
groups. Committee Chairs should ensure that all their groups’ activities are
accurately listed. Contact the church office (910-868-5686) to add or edit
calendar events.
Section 7: Community services and programs supported
- Weddings
- Funerals
- Boy Scouts
- Girl Scouts
- Jr. and Sr. High Youth Group
- Food Pantry
- Community Day
- Holiday Activities and Events
- Clothing Drive
- Disaster Donations and Relief
- Missions to Other Countries
- Other Neighborhood Activities and Groups
Section 8:
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs - Cornerstone Policies and Procedures.
Includes information about attending and joining the church, access and
childcare, and many other helpful items.
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