Cornerstone Church of Albemarle - Our Mission, Vision and Values

The Mission, Vision & Model for Cornerstone Church of Albemarle

OUR MISSION:

To Love god and others by leading people to Jesus Christ and following him as His disciples.

The Two Greatest Commandments and The Mandate of Jesus are the basis for everything we do. Jesus said; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul mind and strength.. and love your neighbor as yourself..” (Mark 12:30-31) All that we do is accomplished through love and devotion to Jesus. Jesus also said; “Go into all the world and make disciples.” (Matt. 28:18-20) Our mission simply stated is to make more and better disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ first locally, then regionally and finally “in all the world.”

OUR VISION: To Experience Church like we read about in the New Testament...

The New Testament Church sets a primary example for the way that we are to live our lives. We see that under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit the New Testament Church engaged in four foundational activities:

1) WIN - Leading others to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

2) CONNECT - Leading others to wholeness by attachment to God & the Body of Christ.

3) DISCIPLE - Leading others in mutual ministry & accountability to equip the Saints for the work of Ministry.

4) SEND - Sending out the saints for leadership and ministry in the world.

OUR MODEL:

ACTS 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to..."

The first generation believers were called followers of “THE WAY” and were devoted to:

1) The Apostle’s Teaching - Biblical training and equipping.

2) The Fellowship of Believers - Essential “one to another” ministry relationships.

3) The Breaking of Bread - Regular & Faithful gatherings for Worship.

4) Prayer - Regular & Faithful communication with God.

As a result the church functioned under the power of the Holy Spirit to grow and transform its community and eventually the world.

ACTS 5:42 - "They met in the temple courts and from house to house…"

The first generation believers demonstrate a pattern of church life, fellowship and ministry that is essential for fulfillment of our mission. Believers regularly met together in corporate (gathered congregation) and small group (“cell” or small group) settings. We believe that this “two winged” pattern of church life is essential for effective ministry.

The Core Values of Cornerstone

1 – PRAYER

Prayer is not preparation for the work of the church; it is the work of the church. In prayer we discover God’s heart and are led and empowered to accomplish the purposes of God in our life, family, church, community, nation and world.

2 – WORSHIP

We were created to please God. (Rev. 4:11) Through worship we bless God. We praise Him for who He is through singing and the spoken word. Our Worship services include activities of celebration, adoration, proclamation and exultation of God.

3 – TRUTH

The Bible is God’s Word. It outlines the standard by which our attitudes and behavior are to be measured. We are to conform our lives to the Bible as a standard of Truth and not attempt to adjust the standard of Truth to our preferences. Biblical standards of truth supersede all other social and cultural standards.

4 – COMMUNITY

The church is a place to belong. It is an extended family where each member lives in accountable relationships and is responsible to and for other members. Members of the church humbly encourage, serve and care for one another in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and forgiveness.

5 – LEADERSHIP

Pastors are given authority to lead the congregation by serving under the Lordship of Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. Instead of “doing” all the ministry, pastors are to serve the body of Christ by training, equipping and releasing members into the work of ministry. (Eph. 4:11)

6 – GIVING

The tithe (10%) is the foundation of biblical giving and is given and used in the local church. Faith Promise giving for missions, sacrificial giving for facilities and compassion giving for the needy are given above and beyond the tithe. While the tithe (10%) is given out of obedience to God, offerings above and beyond the tithe are optional and are to be given according to ability and desire.

7 – OUTREACH

The main focus of the church is to be outward rather than inward. Reaching out to others is not simply one of the things that we do, but it is the focus of everything we do as a church. Extending the Kingdom of God both at home and around the world must be at the forefront of our minds in every decision we make.

8 – LIFE TRANSFORMATION

Lives are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Believers must personally grow in intimate, transparent relationship with God. Through this relationship we experience wholeness: the forgiveness of sin, freedom from past hurts, and healing in our lives through the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit.

9 – EVERY MEMBER A LEADER

Every member, including youth and children, is to be actively involved in leading (winning, connecting and discipling) others to Jesus. Each member is called to minister to others by the power of the Holy Spirit and serve one another according to their spiritual gifting.

WE BELIEVE:

- In one God revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

- In God the Father, who made the heavens and the earth and governs them according to His will and purpose.

- In God the Son who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, died on a cross, was buried and raised from the dead in order to provide the way for us to be brought back into relationship with God.

- In God the Holy Spirit who prompts us to repent and live according to the principles of the Kingdom of God, producing the fruit and imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit for successful living and serving.

- In the church universal made up of all those who have been called out of darkness into light, have placed their faith in Jesus for salvation and who live under His Lordship.

- In the Bible as the only written Word of God and the highest authority for what we believe and for the way we are to live.

- In the visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ in great glory and power to receive into heaven all those who have personally accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord and to cast into hell all those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord.