Church planting is the most effective way to reach new people for Christ. We launched Cornerstone 7 years ago with 20 people, and that has created space for almost 1000 new people to worship weekly. But our vision is not to grow conventionally big in one spot. We want to create human-scale churches where deep community and meaningful mission can happen. Church planting also keeps the entire congregation alert to the new things God wants to do among us, not permitting us to get stale. 

The 41st & Harvard congregation will simply be called Cornerstone, while the 10th & Rockford congregation will be referred to as the Cornerstone | Rockford Mission. Most people will probably call it “the Rockford Mission.” When the Rockford Mission fully launches on its own, it will take on its own name.

The long-term vision is that the Rockford Mission will become a self-sustaining C4SO church, independent of Cornerstone. We’ll stair-step our way in that direction. In the beginning, the Rockford Mission will be like a newborn baby, a “dependent” of Cornerstone. Over time, the Rockford Mission will work its way toward “graduation.” Key benchmarks will be established to determine where it is in its development and readiness to launch on its own. 

In July 2025, we will host interest meetings for any who are interested in helping to launch Rockford. Some will live nearby, some will feel a particular sense of calling, and others will be inspired by Max’s vision for the community. No one is being told where to go, but all who feel that interest or spark of desire should feel fully liberated and blessed to pursue it! We encourage people to dedicate prayer to this decision and seek the Lord’s guidance for how they will participate. 

Some will live nearby, some will feel a particular sense of calling, and others will be inspired by the long-term vision to be part of a resourcing, multiplying church! We encourage people to dedicate prayer to this decision and seek the Lord’s guidance for how they participate.

Individual Apprentice Groups will make their own choice about the future of their group. They will be free to continue as-is or multiply and become congregation-specific. Some may be “fully Rockford” while others are “fully Harvard.” Likely, many groups will have a combination. Over time, we anticipate that groups will reflect the community in which they worship.

Cornerstone and the Rockford Mission will have a combined youth group that meets primarily at Harvard. Students at the Rockford Mission will be invited to weekly youth gatherings, retreats, mission trips, etc. They’ll just worship at Rockford on Sunday mornings. In the long run, when the Rockford Mission launches on its own, it will likely create its own youth programming.

Some of the existing Cornerstone staff will support the Rockford Mission as it is getting started. Our Facilities Manager and Director of Operations will ensure that Max and the Rockford team are able to focus on developing ministries and encouraging congregational health, and not worrying about things like HVAC, payroll, etc. Other positions, like worship leader and kids director, may be filled by volunteers or dedicated staff.

Construction is projected to wrap-up at Harvard in mid-fall. At that time, all who are helping to relaunch Cornerstone will return. Those who have committed to helping launch the Rockford Mission will stay at 10th & Rockford, and that congregation will begin preparing for a full launch in early 2026.

Not in the near-term. Until the Rockford Mission fully launches on its own, membership can be fully expressed through participation in the Rockford Mission or at Cornerstone.

We will host interesting meetings mid-summer to give people information to aid in their discernment process. We hope to know where people are committing to serve and worship by the middle of August.

Submit one here.