Leadership at Cornerstone . . .

At Cornerstone Christian Fellowship the structure we have adopted is based on the prominent New Testament image of the church as the body of Christ. We believe this image, if taken seriously, has far-reaching implications for our understanding and practice.

Leadership in the body . . .

It was He who gave some to be apostles, and some to be prophets, and some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ might be built up . . . -Eph. 4: 11-13

Leadership within the early church came from people who had particular equipping gifts - gifts that helped prepare God's people for works of service. In time, two offices, that of elder and deacon, emerged within local church communities. At Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, we recognize both of these important aspects of church leadership. We affirm that the goal of leadership within the body is the equipping and enabling of the members for ministry. We also recognize elders and deacons as servant leaders within the congregation.

Both men and women who meet the qualifications outlined in 1 Tim. 3, Tit. 1, and 1 Pet. 5 may be selected to serve as elders.* They lead not by managing the church but by modeling and patient instruction. Following the example of Christ, they are to dedicate themselves to a discipleship ministry characterized by servanthood.

Deacons are recognized as co-leaders with the elders, serving as leaders of specific ministry areas. Both men and women are selected by the congregation according to the criteria given in 1 Tim. 3:8-13 and serve in the areas of giftedness. Like elders, the essential nature of their work is that of a servant. -Mat. 20:25-28; Jn. 13:12-17; Jn. 21:15-17; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:8-13; 1 Tim. 4:11-16

*After much prayer and diligent study of Scripture, Cornerstone Christian Fellowship affirms that both men and women can be called, empowered and led by the Spirit of God to be elders and deacons within our church.