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2. What does the name Cornerstone Christian Church mean? The term CORNERSTONE is a Bible term for Jesus Christ. Prophetically, the Old Testament said, "so this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" (Isaiah 28:16). The New Testament refers to the church as "God's household built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:19-20). Cornerstone Church believes that Jesus and his teaching provide the only firm foundation for life and eternity. Our goal is to help men and women, boys and girls, build on that sure foundation. The name CHRISTIAN grows out of our desire to adopt a non-sectarian label that any follower of Jesus can accept without feeling forced to compromise anything or identify with any strange teachings or ideas. Cornerstone Christian Church remains committed to overcoming sectarian and denominational bickering and fighting that often divide churches. We choose to leave speculation and human opinions aside and instead concentrate on straightforward Bible teaching. Our name does not imply that we claim to be the only Christians in this city or any place else. It simply reflects our desire to be identified first and foremost with our Savior Jesus Christ. The name is mean to be INclusive, not EXclusive. We like to say that we are Christians Only, not the only Christians.
3. To what denomination does Cornerstone belong? Cornerstone Church is not part of any formal denominational structure or organization. For good or bad, this congregation answers to no other human or religious authority. We have no national headquarters, no bishops or district superintendents, and no conventions or associations where our doctrines and policies are written for us. We select our own leaders, call our own ministers, determine our own finances, and adopt our own statements of faith and practices. We hope that our practices and convictions grow from a prayerful study of the Bible and a humble, teachable spirit that is willing to listen and learn from many different religious traditions and groups, while maintaining a firm reliance on the authority of the Bible. Our independence does not mean that don't have connections and varying relationships with other churches. We are obviously connected with First Christian Church-Vandalia, our "mother" congregation. We also endeavor to work cooperatively with other congregations in our community and world in ways that will benefit the cause of our Christ and serve people. We feel free, even obligated, to join hands with others as long as we are not forced to compromise our convictions. While we are not connected with any formal denominational structure, we do consider ourselves part of a very loose knit network of independent congregations commonly known as Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. In the US there about 5,000 of those congregations totaling approximately 1 million members. In Missouri, there are an estimated 75,000 members in 350 or so congregations. The relationships between these congregations are mostly informal and totally voluntary. No controlling or overseeing body exists among these local congregations.
4. What kind of church is Cornerstone? Contemporary religious historians commonly speak of three different kinds of churches distinguished by three different approaches to faith and scripture. First, the Roman Catholic Church officially teaches that correct doctrine and Christian practice should be based on two equal authorities: the Bible and the historic practices and traditions of their church officials. In actual practice, this has often meant that the Bible is the authority until a cherished practice or teaching differs with the Bible and then the traditional practice becomes the rule. Secondly, other churches, sometimes termed Mainline Protestant churches, frequently insist that Christian doctrine and practice are based on two authorities: the Bible and contemporary thinking. Again, in actual practice, this often means that the Bible is believed and followed up to the point that human reasoning, philosophy, or contemporary culture proposes something else and then that becomes the practice. A third kind of church, and the one with which we would most closely identify, is often termed Evangelical. Evangelicals would claim to hold the Bible as the only authroitative source of teaching and practice for the Christian and the church. If the Bible teaching differs from traditional or customary practice, then it is the practice that should change. If a belief or teaching seems unreasonable or unconventional when compared to popular ideas of our time, an Evangelical would endeavor to hold to the teachings of the Bible regardless of what is or is not popular at any given moment. Popular philosophy and trends come and go. The Bible always stands the test of time and skepticism. While claiming to be an Evangelical or Bible church, we do not mean to imply that we have all of the answers or have figured out all of the big or small questions of faith and life. Not at all! We do not have all the answers, but we do think we know WHO does. We believe that our God has revealed the answers that we need for faith. None of us claims to understand everything in the Bible. But we are endeavoring to grow in our understanding by faithful, prayerful study that seeks to allow the Lord to correct and instruct us at every step. We further believe that many, if not most, of the disagreements and conflicts that have existed between different Christian groups could be overcome with a more humble reliance on the clear teachings of the Bible. The differences of opinions that remain--mostly in areas of little importance--could then fade into the background and believers of all stripes and types could stand united on the core issues of Christ and his message and mercy. When believers and congregations link arms and thus demonstrate visible unity, our unbelieving neighbors will find our message and lives much more appealing. We want to be a part of restoring this vision of the church to this community.
5. Is Cornerstone involved in the community? We seek to be involved as individuals, through our daily activities, and as a congregation. We believe that th e Lord has placed us in this place to be a servant of our community and its people. We believe that it is our obligation to be involved in whatever ways we can to extend the mercy and message of Christ to our friends and neighbors throughout the community. We believe this church should be a place of refuge and unity for anyone who desires a closer relationship with God. Our community involvement is an expression of our God's love for the people of the greater Bowling Green/Pike County area.
6. Why does Cornerstone have communion every Sunday? Communion or the Lord's Supper is the memorial ritual established by Jesus on his last night before the cross. He told his followers to do this in remembrance of him. According to nearly all historians, the early followers of Jesus observed this practice as a normal part of their gatherings. In fact, the regular weekly observance of the Lord's supper was the norm of all churches for nearly 1500 years. Unfortunately, over time many superstitions and non-biblical practices began to corrupt the understanding of the Lord's supper. For example, in some quarters it was taught that participating in the Lord's supper magically forgave one's sin regardless of personal faith or lifestyle. Going to communion was almost viewed like having your ticket for heaven validated. This was so clearly a distrotion of the Bible's teachings that the Protestant Reformers (1500's) thought that the only solution was to de-emphasize the Lord's Supper and re-emphasize the teaching/preaching of Scripture. Consequently, most protestant churches discontinued the practice of regular communion and replaced it with a monthly or quarterly obvervance. Given the circumstances of the times, this was probably a needed move. Our conviction, however, is that the best practice of communion is the apporach of the original believers--to observe it regularly and appropraitely. Therefore, our custom is to observe the Lord's supper each Lord's Day and to attempt to do so without encouraging the distortions and superstitions that have sometimes marked it. Our practice is simple. Various volunteers prepare the unleavend bread and fruit of the vine (grape juice). At some point in the worship gathering (the exact point varies), an elder (or someone else) offers a brief meditation to focus our thinking, we sing a hymn, another leader offers a prayer and the communion items are distributed to the worshippers. Generally we partake as each individual is served. Occasionally we may partake in unison. On some special occasions, the worshippers are invited to come to the front and be served. We believe that the details of how we do it are much less important than the faith and attitude with which we approach it. Communion is an expression of our complete reliance on the grace of God as demonstartated of us in the sacrifice of Christ for our forgiveness. Communion is a testimony of our faith in Jesus as Savior and our commitment to him as Lord. Therefore we offer it to all believers, members, and non-members, who know and are endeavoring to follow Jesus.
7. Why does Cornerstone baptize the way it does? Our practice of Believer's Baptism is based on the ancient Christian rite of initiation into the life of faith. As 20th Century followers of Jesus, our goal is to be as faithful as possible to his 1st Century teachings. We baptize believers by immersion in water because: Jesus Did It! See Matthew 3:13-17 / Jesus Taught It! See Matthew 28:18-20 / Jesus' Disciples Practiced It! See Acts 2:38-42, Acts 18:8, Acts 8:35-38 Baptism Is Not . . . A Membership into a denomination, sect, or religious group. / A way to earn God's grace and forgivenss. / A guarantee of eternal life. / A magic ritual. / A human invention. Baptism is . . . An act of obedience to God. (Matthew 3:15). / An intentional commitment of life to Christ. (1 Peter 3:21). / An acknowledgement that Jesus' death/resurrection alone saves us. (Romans 6:3-5). / An initiation into the family of faith. (Galatians 3:26-28). / An instrument of the Holy Spirit's work. (1 Corinthians 12:13). / A part of God's redemptive process. (Acts 2:38). / Jesus' will for every follower. (Matthew 28:18-20). / A new beginning. (Colossians 2:12-15). As a matter of obedience to the scriptures and to better honor the gospel, we choose to observe baptism in the manner of the first Christians--by total immersion of the believer in water. The following references explain our reasoning: Bauer, Arndt, and Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon [Distionary] of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (University of Chicago Press, 1957), 31: "baptizo-dip, immerse; mid., dip oneself, wash (in non-Christian lit. also 'plunge, sink, drench, overwhelm')." The New Englishmen's Greek Concordance and Lexicon (1982), 114-115: "baptizo - to immerse: (lit. to make whelmed, i.e., fully wet, to dip), (a) to wash, Luke 11:38; (b) to baptize, Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:38." Martin Luther, "On this account I could wish that such as are baptized should be completely immersed into water according to the meaning of the word and the significance of the ordinance...as also without doubt, it was instituted by Christ" (Works, II, 75, 1551 ed)" John Wesley, "We are buried with him,' alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing by immersion" (Notes on the New Testament, Rom 6:3). John Calvin, "...it is certain that immersion was the practice of the primitive church" (Institute, XI, 15, 49). Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The sacrement is called Baptism, after the central rite by which it is carried out" to baptize (Greek baptizein) means to "plunge" or "immerse"; the "plunge" into the water symbolizeds the catechumen's burial into Christ's death, from which he rises up by resurrection with him, as "a new creature"" (1995, Part Two, article I, Section 1214).
8. Why doesn't Cornerstone baptize babies? We intentionally baptize only those who are old enough to personally understand the commitment that baptism portrays and profess their own faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Every instance of baptism in the New Testament scriptures involved people who had heard the message of Jesus, who were brought to a conviction of their guilt and unworthiness before God, who came to believe in what Jesus had done for them, and who personally acknowledged their desire to follow the teachings of Jesus. There is no magic in the water of baptism, in the ritual that surrounds it, or in the person who officiates at it. Its meaning resides totally in the promises of God received by the faith of the individual who understands what he or she is doing. 1 Peter 3:21 summarizes this best, "This water (referring to the flood of Noah's time) symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God." We are convinced that a small child is certainly able of doing bad things. But until a child reaches an age of reasonable understanding, he or she is not counted morally guilty before God. It is to this innocence that Jesus referred to when he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3). When a child becomes old enough to personally choose the way of Christ, then the child needs to personally act on that faith and experience Believer's Baptism. Parents and grandparents must lead their young to faith and the baptism that follows. But they cannot make that faith commitment for them.
9. How is Cornerstone organized? The church is congregationally governed. By that we mean that every formal member of the congregation has the opportunity to be involved in major decision making and in the selection of leaders. Official positions of leadership in the church include-- Elders - men who serve as spiritual teachers and guides of the congregation. Deacons - men who fulfill a variety of tasks necessary for the function of a church. Trustees - men who oversee legal matters in behalf of the congregation. Many other individuals (men and women) are involved in numberous leadership and volunteer ministries in the congregation--from child care to lawn care, from cooking and cleaning to counseling and calling on the sick. Throughout the organizational affairs, we endeavor to treat each other with respect, equality, and a humble servant-minded attitude that desires to bring honor and glory to Christ.
During the beginng stage of Cornerstone's establishmen, the elders of First Christian Church-Vandalia continue to exercise general oversignt of the legal and financial affairs of the Bowling Green ministry. A local steering commitee makes the day-to-day decisions with the input and affirmation of the Bowling Green congregation. In time, cornerstone will become completely separate from its "mother church."
10. Does Cornerstone believe in the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit, the unseen yet powerful presence of the Living God, is a alive and well working through the life of the believer and the fellowship of the church. The Spirit guides through the Word, empowers for witness, sustains in adversity and provides for the proper functioning of the church through a variety of spiritual gifts and abilities. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live and walk in the power of the Spirit, bear the fruit of the Spirit in our character and conduct, and serve the Lord, his church, and his world through the gifts of the Spirit. While most would not term us "charismatic" or "Pentecostal," we do believe that the Holy spirit works in the lives of believers today in many ways, through a variety of gifts. We seek to place no limitations on what the spirit may do in our midst. We simply want him to do his will, whatever that may be. We believe that the spirit will always lead us to a great devotion to Jesus, to the Scriptures, to righteousness, and to one another. We believe there is no single gift or demonstration of the Spirit other than this love for God and people that is universal for all followers of Jesus or that provides the secret to spiritual growth.
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