We Took A Stand

This is the story of a small but mighty church located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, called Cornerstone Christian Fellowship.

We took a stand on the Fearless and All-inclusive Love of God.

We made it our mission to Love God and Love Others Fearlessly.

This meant becoming an inclusive and diverse community that:

● Values and respects all people equally (ALL meaning ALL)

● Receives and offers God’s grace in abundance

● Embraces learning and discovery

● Stays at the table (even during moments of disagreement)

● Multiplies leaders

We took a stand, and we meant it.

WHAT WE ARE DOING

And we didn’t want it to be reflected only in what we said - because it’s easy to say things and not do them - but also in the way we love one another and our community.

So we changed our mission statement, our purpose statement, and wrote a public statement of inclusion, so that everyone would know that we, as Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, took that stand.

We vow to be a Christ-centered, diverse community that welcomes ALL people.

We encouraged all people to engage in full participation and leadership regardless of, but not limited to, age, race, class, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability.

We took this stand and are choosing to be a Centered Set Community, fixing our eyes on Jesus and providing a space for freedom of expression and diversity of thought.

Together, we will work to move beyond the challenging experiences of this world or even disagreements many may have with different forms of expression in institutional, personal, or political realms.

We will work to lean into the tension of ambiguity when opinions and deep feelings of what might be right and/or wrong rise to the surface.

And we will continue working together to hold space for each voice and each life, knowing that every person matters and carries within them the Image of God.

We do all this because we have seen that the power of God’s LOVE works miracles.

This stand can be difficult at times, but it has been worth every moment because we are seeing lives change:

- People who have been far away from the church are returning.

- People who have been kicked out of churches are finding a home.

- People who have been afraid of God are rediscovering His love.

- People who haven’t been allowed in leadership are leading in the beauty and strength of their full self and calling.

- People who have been locked up by fear are finding new life and new ways to express themselves.

It is miraculous.

It is wonderful.

And it is beautiful.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Taking this stand has also cost us.

It has cost us some very dear relationships.

It has cost us some gifted leaders.

It has cost us some affiliations with other churches.

And, to be honest, it has cost us financially.

If you are not a part of our community, you may be asking, “Why should I care?”

In response, we would ask you to take a look around at what has been going on in our world - it is SO rare to see a group of Christians take a stand in this way.

We acknowledge the hurt the church has caused to so many, and we believe in a better way, a way of fearless love that includes.

So if you too believe in inclusivity regardless of age, race, class, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ability…

If you too want to see a church like this continue in this time in our world…

Will YOU stand with us today?

Will you help us continue to be a voice of hope and love calling out in this world of chaos and division?

TAKE A STAND. TAKE ACTION.

Here’s how you can take a stand with us:

- If you have the means, please donate! Every amount, small or large, will help us and be received with gratitude. Donations will be used to help cover our operating costs this year as we grow in this new way of inclusion.

- Share this link with all of your friends and family. We would be honored if you would spread the word using social media, email, etc.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

YOU'RE INVITED!

Maybe you are reading this and wondering, "Is this really true? Does this community really exist? Do they really teach the Bible AND accept ALL?! Does everyone truly have a place at the table?"

We invite you to join us! If you live in proximity to West Chester, Pennsylvania, please come to one of our Sunday morning services at 10am each Sunday. We are located at 426 W. Gay St., West Chester, PA.

If you are not within driveable distance to West Chester, we invite you to our online community to watch and engage in the service through our LiveStream each Sunday! Our 10am service is streamed LIVE to our Facebook Page.

Services are also uploaded to our YouTube Channel - perhaps check a few of our previous sermons out to see what we're really about!

We also have a Podcast that was launched this year called Staying at the Table that can be listened to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon.