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In a day when many see the local church as a religious enterprise with its pastor serving as the chief executive officer, Cornerstone intentionally follows a different path, a path marked by the Bible and confirmed by history. Our goal is neither numerical greatness nor denominational prestige; rather, we seek to care for souls and minister to real needs. All of our ministries are intended to increase the knowledge and application of the Word of God in the lives of the people of God and to lead others to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ so that they too can live to glorify God.
Cornerstone is people rather than programs, and our desire is to know God and to make him known. We pray that men, women, and youth from all walks of life will clearly see God in all we do, that they too will come to know the God who is ever willing to accept all who will come to him through faith alone in Christ alone.
Cornerstone attempts to function according to principles given in Scripture. The Bible reveals the following five objectives for the church:
To Glorify God
God is glorified when his reputation is enhanced through the lives of his children. Indeed, the Westminster Catechism rightly emphasizes that "the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." Jesus put it this way, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
God has given leaders to the church "for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12). Each member is to be equipped so that he will be able to do his part in strengthening the church, the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12 we find that Christianity is a team effort—no member is unimportant.
To Keep Itself Pure
Christ gave Himself for the church "that he might sanctify and cleanse it . . . that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:26-27). God himself purges the believer of sinful thoughts and actions through divine chastening (John 15:2; Hebrews 12:10). Also, each believer is to purge himself of anything in his life that does not honor God (1 Corinthians 11:28-31). Additionally, the church is to be involved in this cleansing process (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, 13). The early church practiced church discipline, and the present-day church neglects that duty at its own peril.
To Evangelize the World
The duty of the church is to proclaim the salvation that lies in Jesus Christ alone. The Lord Jesus gave his church this command, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). Although not everyone will receive Christ, no one will receive him who who does not hear the gospel (Romans 10:14).
To Serve Others
Times of great refreshing and fellowship can be found here at Cornerstone. We do not see our church, however, as a place where we merely relax and enjoy the blessings of the Christian life. Being a Christian and a member of a local church means a life of service and commitment to God and to our fellow man (Matthew 20:28; 22:37-40).
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