510 likes | 692 Views
Cornerstone Vision. Cornerstone Vision. Who are we? Cornerstone International is a… Christian… New Testament-type… word of God-based… Holy Spirit-led (Holy Spirit loving / welcoming)… apostolic (“sent”)… local church… relating to New Covenant Ministries
E N D
Cornerstone Vision • Who are we? • Cornerstone International is a… • Christian… • New Testament-type… • word of God-based… • Holy Spirit-led (Holy Spirit loving / welcoming)… • apostolic (“sent”)… • local church… • relating to New Covenant Ministries • International (NCMI)*
Cornerstone Vision • * Who is NCMI? • NOT a denomination, organisation or group of churches • an Eph 4:11-gifted, trans-local ministry team operating internationally through friendship and gift recognition • men and women who help build local churches and equip and mobilise believers for the work of the kingdom of God • vision to disciple the nations by planting New Testament churches • currently working into more than 70 countries • one of many “apostolic” groupings used by God in the world today
Cornerstone Vision • Cornerstone is named after our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the “cornerstone” in the Bible (Eph 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6). • We seek to build our spiritual house of “living stones” in alignment with Christ the cornerstone. • We are guided by: • the living and active word of God • the living and active Spirit of God • and living and active apostles and • prophets (Eph 4:11; Eph 2:20)
Cornerstone Vision • We aspire to be a Biblical, Book Of Acts-style church: • centred on Jesus not man • proclaiming the uncompromised gospel of Christ from the word of God • filled with the presence & power of God through his Holy Spirit • open to the ministry of the Holy Spirit – a hallmark of the Biblical, New Covenant church (2 Cor 3:8) • seeking first the kingdom of God – ambassadors of the supernatural kingdom of heaven on earth • a multi-cultural and multi-generational community of believers (“all nations”) • loving God and loving one another
Cornerstone Vision We are truly “international”… … not only because we have members from countries as diverse as Australia, Bulgaria, Columbia, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia… … but because God has called us to be an apostolic (“sent”) people, going to the nations on Christ’s behalf (John 20:21; Matt 28:19)… … and “a house of prayer for all nations” (Mark 11:17).
Cornerstone Vision • We’re committed to making disciples of all nations: • by reaching out into our ‘Jerusalem’ area – our city and emirate (Abu Dhabi) • by reaching out into our ‘Judea’ area – surrounding area with a similar culture (UAE/Gulf) • by reaching into our ‘Samaria’ area – surrounding area with a different culture (e.g., India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Levant) • by reaching out into the ‘uttermost parts of the earth’ (i.e., all the nations!) • (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
Cornerstone Vision So our church is missional… … it is not a “club” for expatriate Christians. God helping us, we will become a base church: raising up, resourcing and releasing men and women of God who will be involved in churches and church plants in other cities and nations.
Cornerstone Vision • Our vision is to be… • an “epistle of Christ” – a letter or expression of the personality of Jesus, “sent” by God to our city, the nation and the world (2 Cor 3:3; Acts 1:8). • That’s why our logo says: • “To the city, the nation and the world, with love” • a city on a hill and light in the darkness (Matt 5:14-16; Isaiah 62:1) • a house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11:17) • the kind of worshipers our Father seeks, • in spirit and truth (John 4:23)
Cornerstone Vision – “Give Me a ‘C’…!” C Christo-centric: Jesus at the centre O Outward-focused: we exist for the Abu Dhabi community, this emirate, the nation of the UAE and the world R Radical: radically word-based; radical for God; radical for the word of God to be established in people’s lives
Cornerstone Vision – “Give Me a ‘C’…!” N Neighbourly: relevant to and impacting the community E Evangelical: we preach the gospel, without compromise R Relationship: we are a community of people who are good friends; friends before, during and after functioning together
Cornerstone Vision – “Give Me a ‘C’…!” S Spirit-filled; Abu Dhabi needs people who are clothed with power from on high T Team: we don’t have a team, we ARE the team: entrusting people with works of service; raising up elders and deacons in anticipation of growth & church plants O Overcomers: we are to press through, persevere and overcome any difficulties
Cornerstone Vision – “Give Me a ‘C’…!” N Nations: Jesus will return after the gospel has reached the nations – we are called to proclaim the gospel in/to the nations and speed his coming E Equipping: an equipping church, equipping the saints (all church members) for ministry
Vision For Structure & Leadership We find our inspiration in scripture (the New Testament gospels, the Book Of Acts and the epistles) rather than the traditions of man. As best we can we follow an “apostolic / prophetic” model of church structure / government (Eph 2:20), which is non-denominational. By building according to this Biblical pattern, we want to create a strong wineskin for the “new wine” of God’s Holy Spirit – a renewal of his presence and power in his church.
Vision For Structure & Leadership Apostolic/Prophetic Model: Unity and fellowship (koinonia ) in mission (Ps 133:1-3) - all participating Vision imparted by leaders to all(Prov 29:18 KJV) Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4); he is building HIS church (Matt 16:18); our example and guide (Heb 3:1; 12:2) Walking together in agreement (Amos 3:3) & in step with the Spirit of God (Gal 5:25) THE LOCAL CHURCH Leadership team out front: “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). No hierarchy, no titles, no platform Organic emergence of new leaders (Titus 1:5; 1 Tim 3; Acts 6:3) Covenant love: loving God, loving one another(Matt 22:37-39) DYNAMIC MOVING MODEL: CHANGING FROM GLORY TO GLORY (2 COR 3:18)
Vision For Structure & Leadership Our leadership model: According to scripture, the local church is comprised of elders, deacons and saints: Phil 1:1: “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the SAINTS in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the OVERSEERS and DEACONS.” The church is led by elders, assisted by deacons and attended by saints, but everyone in the New Covenant church is a priest: ministering to God and man (1 Peter 2:5-9).
Vision For Structure & Leadership Biblical Eldership:
Vision For Structure & Leadership • Biblical Eldership (cont’d): • These are three Greek terms for one office: • Acts 20: • v17: “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders (presbuteros – elder / ruler) of the Church. • v28 (still speaking to the elders): “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (episkopos – bishop / overseer). Be shepherds (poimen – shepherd) of the Church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Vision For Structure & Leadership • Biblical Eldership (cont’d): • Three Greek terms for one office (cont’d): • 1 Peter 5: • v1-2: “To the elders (presbuteros) among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds (poimen) of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers (episkopos) – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve…”
Vision For Structure & Leadership • Biblical Deaconing: • Deacons emerged out of growth and needs in the early church. They helped the church fathers build (Acts 6) • Deacons are appointed by elders and assist eldership in ‘running’ the church • They stand alongside the elders, doing all they can to help move the congregation forward into the inheritance God has for us corporately
Vision For Structure & Leadership • Biblical Deaconing (cont’d): • Deacons carry governmental authority delegated by eldership. This authority can include preaching, caring, home visits, admin, finance etc. It does not include authority OVER eldership • So while deacons SERVE PRACTICALLY (which all believers should do anyway), theirs is a SPIRITUAL FUNCTION as well
Vision For Structure & Leadership • Biblical Eldership & Deaconing: • We do not believe these offices automatically translate from one context to another. If someone who was an elder or a deacon in another church leaves that church and starts attending our church, that does not make them an elder or deacon in our church – eldership and deaconing are not “jobs for life” but seasons of service in a particular context
Vision For Structure & Leadership Our eldership couple: Matt & Rana
Vision For Structure & Leadership Our deacons: Keith & Audrey Khalidiya home group Duane & Isabel Khalifa City A home group & finances
Vision For Structure & Leadership Our deacons: Derek Worship & Men’s Ministry Church admin Steven & Marjon
Vision For Structure & Leadership Our deacons: Grant & Elmarie
Vision For Discipling • We want to help people to… • know the living God – through his word and his Holy Spirit (John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life…”) • know the love of God (Eph 3:19) • enjoy unbroken intimacy with the living God (Ps 23:6; Ps 27:4; Ps 139:7-10; Ro 8:35) • worship the living God as he desires to be worshipped – in spirit and truth (John 4:23) • find freedom in Christ (Gal 5:1; 2 Cor 3:17) • live in the grace of God (Ro 6:14; 2 Cor 12:9) • share the gospel in the world with sound theology, boldness and authority (2 Tim 2:15)
Vision For Discipling • We want to help people to… • discover and exercise their unique call and gifting in God, by discipling, training and providing opportunities to serve • move in the power of the Holy Spirit through the 1 Cor 12 gifts of the Spirit: miracles, signs and wonders – available to all for the common good, not the exclusive few • reach their full potential / purpose / inheritance in God (Phil 3:12: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me”) • this includes children and youth!
Vision For Discipling • We want to raise up a people who… • KNOW THEIR GOD! (Psalm 34:8) • having a good sound theology / understanding of God and his ways • ‘filled’ with the Spirit of God with evidence thereof: wisdom and revelation, power, fruit, boldness, maturity, Christian spirituality
Vision For Discipling • We want to raise up a people who… • KNOW THEIR CALLING! (Jer 29:11) • knowing who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them! • knowing what their unique gifting, passion and style is and living it! • Eph 4:16: “…each part does its work”
Vision For Discipling • We want to raise up a people who… • TAKE THEIR INHERITANCE! (Psalm 2:8) • a mobilised priesthood • conquering through prayer • front-footed evangelism and discipling • identifying, training up and releasing leaders – organic growth from within
Vision For Discipling • We want to raise up a people who are… • INVOLVED IN OUR VENTURES! • church activities & courses (weekly prayer meeting, men’s & women’s ministries, Foundations Course, Bible Studies); • city activities (prayer walks, Global Day Of Prayer); • outreaches (Alpha, Marriage Course, HGHF); • trips to the nations – “Equip” training times and ministry trips (India, Sri Lanka, Bahrain) • church planting • all participating, all going
Vision For Discipling • We want to raise up a people who are… • fulfilling the Great Commission • surrendered to Christ • ready to pay the price / sacrifice • a people of character as well as gifting • vulnerability, teachability, transparency, honesty, integrity, purity, humility, faithfulness, creativity, excellence, flexibility, passion/fervour • wild but not weird • naturally supernatural and supernaturally natural • a kingdom people not just church-goers • a people of prayer • trained and equipped for leadership • building away from themselves not towards themselves
Vision For Equipping The Biblical Imperative: “Study and be eager to do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing – rightly handling and skillfully teaching – the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15, Amplified Bible)
Equip times & ministry trips in the nations • Leadership training • Elders • Deacons • Emerging leaders Church planters training Held in SA & Australia Orientation/ Vision & Values Course (Monthly) Foundation Course (5 weeks) Gifts identification (3 weeks) Various study courses e.g. Christian Doctrine, Bible Survey etc ITCC / SATS Theological Correspondence study www.itcconline.net Trans-local ministry training Ministries e.g. men’s, women’s, Youth Alpha Course Worship, discipleship, fellowship Visitor / New believer Ministry equipping e.g. worship team training, training for children’s church teachers Community outreach, e.g. Alpha, HGHF Weekly Celebration meetings & Children’s Church (Fri) Weekly home groups (Mon) Weekly prayer meetings (Tues) Church planting Leading or assisting Vision For Equipping Equipping cycle: Equip times & ministry trips in the nations Equip times & ministry trips in the nations Sending / sowing into established churches in the nations e.g., home nations
Vision For The Family House • A “permanent” base & focal point for our community • Open six days a week: • Mon-Thurs: 9am-5pm Fri: 1pm-5pm (afternoon only) • Sat: 9am-1pm (morning only) • Closed Sundays • An expression of our identity as a church • Two floors of corporate space, and a top floor apartment • A haven for personal prayer and devotions • A place for training, equipping, study, inspiration, fellowship & fun Entrance area – the Cornerstone story in photos
Vision For The Family House • A “home away from home” for friendship and functions • “Drop-in” gallery coffee shop, lounges, study (books to read on site) • Weekend socials: after-church BBQs/barbies/braais • Weekly prayer meeting & worship practice • Ministry meetings (eg Men) • Evening courses: Foundations, Bible Survey, Doctrine Survey etc • Leadership training • Games evenings and movie nights
Vision For The Family House Ground floor gallery / meeting hall
Vision For The Family House Tuesday worship practice in the ground floor gallery / meeting hall
Vision For The Family House First floor lounge
Vision For The Family House First floor ministry room / mums & tots room / private devotions room
Vision For The Family House First floor baby changing room – we have nappies, creams etc
Vision For The Family House First floor study library