Real hope. For real people. In the real world.
Welcome to Cornerstone Community Church’s home on the web! We are glad you found us. The short description below will introduce you to our church and congregation. Should you have questions not answered here, you can contact us in one of the ways listed at the bottom of the page.
Three things you’ll quickly notice about Cornerstone.
• We are caring. We place high value on mission and seek ways to care for people within our congregation, in the local community, and in the greater world. For example, we have a long-term relationship with a network of churches in the Dominican Republic and take a week each year serving our county’s cold weather shelter program for the homeless. We also care for hurting people within our congregation in various ways.
• We are creative. We actively seek to communicate the gospel in contemporary, meaningful ways that resonate powerfully with people. This includes interactive portions of worship services, modifying the worship space for particular emphasis, displays of art in the commons area and worship center, and effective use of music and audio-visual arts. Our creativity extends past the worship experience to other ministries of the church. Our creativity is one of the first things people notice about Cornerstone.
• We are credible. We work to be real, authentic witnesses for Christ and strive to match what we say with what we do. We hope to help people live their faith in their daily lives. We’re ordinary, flawed folks whom you can feel comfortable around as you walk on your journey of faith. By God’s grace and the power of His Spirit we are growing in faith and becoming more like His Son as each day passes.
About our congregation
We are a diverse congregation. Cornerstone is blessed with a congregation of ethnic and racial diversity as well as diversity of economic status, education, careers, ages, and religious backgrounds. Many in our congregation work in the military and at nearby Fort Meade, for federal government agencies, and for government contractors in the area. Many come from other parts of the country and have moved to this area for their jobs.
We are a young congregation. Cornerstone was founded in the early 1990s. While we do have a range of generations in our church, we have a significant number of families with small children, singles, young marrieds, and single parents.
We are not afraid to try something new, or change things that no longer work. Our congregation and our leadership values fresh ways to relate the gospel, care for each other, and share God’s love locally and internationally. We are more than willing to take chances on new ideas, and to scrap old ways that don’t work.
We have good leaders. We have solid, committed people in key positions. Cornerstone is blessed with seasoned and wide participation in our leadership structure.
We’re partners, not members. Our partner system of membership asks for a high level of commitment and yearly renewal. A six month moratorium helps ensure our church is a fit for new people before they enter service, and gives us time to get to know them as well. We are currently enhancing both support and accountability for our lay leaders.
We’re not a megachurch. Some people prefer the environment of a megachurch, with its many activities and professional staff. We’re a church of about 200. So we don’t have a large paid staff or a ready-made program for everyone and every need. However, if you value getting to know your pastor, church leaders and the people with whom you worship, we have plenty to offer. And if you’re the kind of person who likes to get involved and have a stake in the life of your church home, we could be a good fit for you. Cornerstone is a church where you can be known, cared for, and participate on a personal basis.
We’re a work in progress, just like you. As you get to know us, you’ll notice we excel in some areas, and are in the midst of, or even just starting to build up other ministries. Our congregation understands this about their church, and recognizes that their active involvement is key to what we will look like in the future. We invite you to join us on this journey!
Some other things you will discover…
• We are an independent church that has chosen to hold to a short list of essential Christian beliefs. We allow for a variety of positions on non-essential beliefs on which devout Christians disagree.
• Our worship is contemporary with casual dress. We have a dedicated praise band and gifted preaching with messages that hit home.
• Worship is lively but non-charismatic. We do not take a doctrinal stand against the charismatic spiritual gifts, but we do not speak in tongues or prophesy in worship.
• We fully recognize and implement the gifts of women to lead and preach.
• Because we value the diversity of our congregation, we are non-political in the pulpit and in church causes and activities.
• We do not pass a plate for offering as part of the worship service; we collect tithes and offerings in boxes at the entrances to the worship center.
• We do not practice a weekly altar call. We do frequently invite people to trust in Christ during worship, but it is not an expected part of worship every week.
Ministries at Cornerstone
Full children’s ministry on Sunday mornings, for birth through grade 5
Weekly middle and high school youth program features Christian values, mission experiences and fun
A number of small groups and Bible studies
Local and international mission and service
Opportunities to join the current ministries of the church, or help start something new
How do I learn more?
Fill out a “Communication Line” insert in the worship bulletin and drop it in the box in the back of the sanctuary. Someone will contact you!
Visit us online at www.cornerstone-d6.org.
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter—send email to cornerstone.d7@gmail.com
Contact the church office at cornerstone.d7@gmail.com or 410-997-6001.
Come to our Pizza with the Pastor informal gathering, held every six weeks after Sunday worship. Look for dates online or in the bulletin.
Cornerstone Community Church
6570 Dobbin Road
Columbia, MD 21045
Worship time: 10:00 a.m. Sundays