Benevolence Ministry
The purpose of the Benevolence Fund is to draw people closer to Christ by helping to meet their basic financial needs in times of crisis or transition, according to biblical directives and fiscal constraints. The Benevolence Fund achieves this purpose primarily through specific cash disbursements at the direction of the Benevolence Team and/or the Caregiving Pastor/Director of Finance. These cash disbursements are to be accompanied by, and made in tandem with: evangelism (when applicable), discipleship and counsel on biblical financial stewardship.
The Benevolence Fund is intended as a source of last resort, to be used when the family or individual requesting assistance has explored all other possibilities of help from family, friends, savings, or investments. It is intended to be a temporary help during a time of crisis or transition.
A request for assistance begins with a Benevolence Request Form being filled out by the person requesting help or by a church member on behalf of the person in need. Requests forms are located in the church office and may be obtained during normal business hours or during weekend services. A written recommendation from the leader of a Cornerstone small group that the requester is a part of is helpful. Those requesting assistance must also be willing to receive biblical financial, family, or emotional counseling. The Benevolence Team will not provide help to anyone who, in its estimation, will have negative or irresponsible behavior reinforced by financial help.
If you would like to donate to Cornerstone’s Benevolence Fund you are welcome to do so either by donating via this web site or dropping your gift in the weekend offering basket. However, we do not encourage you to give to the Benevolence Fund in lieu of giving to the general fund of the church. Per IRS regulations, you may designate your offering to the Benevolence Fund but may not restrict the gift to a specific individual or family, as this constitutes a person-to-person gift, for which there is no tax deduction. You may "recommend" or "suggest" that funds be used to assist a particular person or family but this decision is to be left to the discretion of the Benevolence Committee. Gifts restricted to a specific person or family must be refused by the church or the donor must remove the restriction.
As stated earlier, the purpose of these funds is primarily to draw people closer to Christ. Every persons first and greatest need is always to experience God’s love and mercy through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Benevolence Fund ought to be viewed as one resource in tandem with others. Besides financial aid, Cornerstone Fellowship seeks to make available other resources such as Crown Financial Budget Coaching, spiritual counseling via New Hope Ministries, assistance with resume writing and job searching and information on where to find lower cost housing opportunities and community resources.
Livermore Services
Brentwood Services