Cornerstone Community Church (Simi Valley, CA) has been maxing out their facility for the past seven years. Obviously, the solution is more property and a bigger building. But the leadership at Cornerstone Community Church did not feel peace about spending $50 million to $60 million (California is expensive) going the traditional route. They asked themselves:

Would God rather we spend the money in other ways?

What about helping the world’s poor and suffering? What about serving our local community? How can we create a Biblical community that ministers through their actions?

The answer to their questions was the Conerstone Tierra Rejada Building Project. It is a church building campaign that saves money and creates a place that prioritizes serving the people outside of their church rather than self-serving their own needs. The project includes:

• Cornerstone Community Church & Eternity Bible College Facilities
  >> Outdoor Sanctuary (3,000 person capacity)
  >> Gym/Multi-Purpose Building (1,000 person capacity)
  >> Chapel/Multi-Purpose Building (300 person capacity)
  >> Administration Building with Library
  >> Classroom Buildings
  >> Maintenance and Restroom Buildings
• Children’s Hunger Fund Facilities
  >> Administration Buildings and Learning Center
  >> Warehouse/Packing Buildings
• Athletic Fields
  >> 3.8 acres of shared-use athletic fields (will encourage local community use)
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility
  >> Creates tertiary-treated recycled water for irrigation
• Onsite Parking Facilities
  >> 2,000 parking spaces
  >> Eco-friendly “grass-crete” pavement
• Open Space
  >> Approximately 58.8 acres of preserved open space
  >> Only 3% of total site developed

To better understand “Why?”

Watch this sermon (click here) by Senior Pastor Francis Chan. And watch the following videos:

Church Leadership Discusses a Need

What Can $20 Million Dollars Do?

I admire their stewardship. Obviously, their church model does not work for every church because God gives each of us a unique calling. However, I think it is an excellent example of how we all should evaluate our ministries within their own unique contexts and search for ways to maximize our stewardship.