Cornerstone ministries constitution

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. “ Philippians 2:2

“Let all things be done decently and in order” 1 Corinthians 14:40

“[Our Saviour Jesus Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” Titus 2:14.

 

“Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” 1Timothy 2: 7

 

“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 

 

“Not until you feel that you could sacrifice your own self-dignity, and even lay down your life in order to save an erring brother, have you cast the beam out of your own eye so that you are prepared to help your brother.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 128.

 

“Success does not depend upon numbers. God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who serve Him.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 550.“The success of this cause [of God] does not depend upon our having a large number of ministers, but it is of the highest importance that those who do labor in connection with the cause of God

should be men who really feel the burden and sacredness of the work to which He has called them. A few self-sacrificing godly men, small in their own estimation, can do a greater amount of good than a much larger number if a part of these are unqualified for the work, yet self-confident and boastful of their own talents.”—Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 442, 443.

 

“We are to stand upon the platform of eternal truth—pure, unadulterated truth. In this we may be considered singular, but this is the lot of all who make Christ their portion.”—Medical Ministry, p. 161.

 

“If Christians are such in name only, they are like the salt that has lost its savor. They have no influence for good in the world. Through their misrepresentation of God they are worse than unbelievers.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 306.

 

Doctrine

 

“To the law and to the testimony:  if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

 

“ And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not:  I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus:  worship God:  for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10

 

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy;  whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 

 

“Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

 

All members or persons who are given a platform to present or to preach on behalf of the cornerstone ministry will be required to be in harmony with the word of God. The bible and the spirit of prophecy are the only standard of religion and doctrine anything out of that will be conceded heresy. The protocol of Titus 3:10 “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;” will be followed without compromise and fear. Titus 1:13 “This witness is true.   Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;” 

Governance

 

The cornerstone ministry executive is made up of all members, some of whom are coordinators of the ministries portfolios. Within these members the treasurer, secretary, evangelism coordinator, singing coordinator, presentation monitor, devotional leader and health expos coordinator are chosen for the administration of the ministry.

Roles:

  • Treasurer: financial status of the ministry evaluation and take care of all financial activities within the ministry
  • Secretary: record congress decisions, collection and of cornerstone presentations and pictures, “responsible for the cornerstone archive.
  •  evangelism coordinator: site demarcation of evangelism, orientations on evangelism and preparation of all material needed for evangelism
  • singing coordinator: monitoring of the singing practice sessions, collections of new songs  and  general singing health of the ministry
  • Presentation monitor: is to approve all the presentations that are to be presented. To ensure that all the presentations are complete before the day of presenting.
  • Devotional leader: this is the person who is responsible for the general spiritual check up of the ministry. Other duties involve the preparation of the morning and the evening prayer when on mission. To help prepare all ministry members for mission all the time
  • Health expo: training of the members, preparing the entire equipment needed, insure that all the disposables are bought, paper work is done, and training of the volunteers at local churches.

 

There are seven portfolios currently available in the ministry and these can’t be changed by any member as they wish. The coordinators of these will be determined by all members at the advice of the current portfolio holders, the final word is of the portfolio holder should all members fail to come up with a solid decision. Everyone must be well versed when it comes to all portfolios at all times, for these messages are for all including us members. Therefore everyone member should be prepared to present at all times, this doesn’t mean people can be pulled to present at short notice were avoidable. These are the current and official Cornerstone portfolios.

  • The loud cry
  • Adventism/foundation of our faith
  • Worship
  • Evangelism
  • Three angels messages
  • Prophecy and history
  • “Healthy”

 

Preaching, as by the church principles only the baptised members will be given this duty. To prevent controversy only men will be given this duty and never should it given to the lady. This is done solely to be on the safe side, as we all know Cornerstone ministers to different congregations and people. Culture will always betray our message therefore we shouldn’t give occasion to such. Therefore we will keep the status core when it comes to this issue, no women is allowed to preach at divine service as far as the ministry is concerned. Outside of the ministry activity everyone is allowed to practise their own principles when it comes to this issue. Therefore we are never to entertain this controversy on mission even when forced to. 

 

Associations

 

Cornerstone student ministry is an initiative by members of UFS-SDASM, its associations to the SDA church is link to the UFS-SDASM structure. It is in no way linked nor associated to any political party or any other none religious nor should it ever be. This is in accordance to our belief of the following verses and quotes from the spirit of prophecy.

 

 “No servant can serve two masters:  for either he will hate the one, and love the other;  or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.   Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Luke 16:13

 

 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

 

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2Cor 6:14

“The Lord Jesus is disappointed in his people. He is the Captain, they are to file under his banner. They have no time, wisdom, or strength to spend in taking sides with political parties. Men are being stirred with an intense activity from beneath, and the sons and daughters of God are not to give their influence to this political strife. But what kind of a spirit takes hold upon our people, when those who believe we are now under the third angel's message, the last message of mercy to the world, brothers in the same faith, appear wearing the badges of opposing political parties, proclaiming opposite sentiments and declaring their divided opinions.”  {GCDB, February 17, 1897 par. 5} 

 

“We are not as a people to become mixed up with political questions. All would do well to take heed to the Word of God, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers in political strife, nor bind with them in their attachments. There is no safe ground in which they can stand and work together. The loyal and the disloyal have no equal ground on which to meet.”  {2SM 336.3} 

 

We do however respect and honour its presence and its laws, just like the Israel of old who had civil laws governing them:

 

“Render therefore to all their dues:  tribute to whom tribute is due;  custom to whom custom;  fear to whom fear;  honour to whom honour.” Romans 13:7

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority;  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”                2 Timothy 2:1-4

This principle we in our day are firmly to maintain. The banner of truth and religious liberty held aloft by the founder of the gospel church and by God's witnesses during the centuries that have passed since then, has, in this last conflict, been committed to our hands. The responsibility for this great gift rests with those whom God has blessed with knowledge of His word. We are to receive this word as supreme authority. We are to recognize human government as an ordinance of divine appointment, and teach obedience to it as a sacred duty, within its legitimate sphere. But when its claims conflict with the claims of God, we must obey God rather than men. God's word must be recognized as above all human legislation. A "Thus saith the Lord" is not to be set aside for a "Thus saith the church" or a "Thus saith the state." The crown of Christ is to be lifted above the diadems of earthly potentates.  {AA 68.2} 

All Cornerstone Student Ministry members who are working have a religious obligation to provide support, where possible their Decembers must fall somewhere during the mission period, the least expected is that they should be available for the Sunday “healthy” expo.

 

Mission

It is expected for the ministry to have four missions that are at least a week long in a year. It is also expected of the ministry to have regular missionary work during the middle of the vacations such as; door-to-door outreach, health centres, community help centres and any other place of interest where the gospel can be spread. This is to be the duty of all ministry members, failure to attend may lead to the discipline action against the individual. In these outreach projects can be planed as the need arise, in some places you may plan for a weekend health expo, others preaching and singing these cannot serve as the only means to farther the gospel.

  • Dress code: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;  that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 2 Peter 2:9 

 

“The words, the dress, the actions, should tell for God. Then a holy influence will be shed upon all around them, and even unbelievers will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus."—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 634.”   

“Men and women are not to cause confusion of the sexes either by their conduct, by wearing their clothing or having their appearance (length of hair) resemble that of the opposite sex, for God pronounces it an abomination. "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5; 1 Corinthians 11:14, 15”

 

It goes without saying that those who are given duty to perform in behalf of the mission group; singing, presenting or preaching, must be dressed in the cornerstone uniform.

 

  • Message: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand:  repent ye, and believe the gospel” Mark 1:14,15

 

  • Follow up and report backs: it is very important that there is follow up with all the missions that have been done what ever there nature of the mission it may be.  Acts 20:17-38 records such a event when Paul called for the Elders from the Ephesians. Report backs to all local churches and sponsors, whichever way possible.  “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them” Acts 15:4

 

  • General conduct: we should all abstain from all forms and shapes of evil. “Abstain from all appearance of evil” 1 Thessalonians 5:20

 

We must be of good cheer always, even is difficult times. “Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer:  for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” Acts 27:25

 

Mission should never be used for love trafficking, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. “  James 1:8 we must be of one mind salvation to the souls and nothing else. Cases where such is committed individual/individuals implicated will be dealt with on mission and their discipline may involve removal from the mission trip. This is done solely to preserve the gospel and not to muddy it due to our unbecoming conduct.   

 

  • Planning- this is the duty of the members of the mission group to undertake, mission trips should be planned months ahead and every member is to be part of this process.

-  Theme- the theme of the mission is to be discussed and decided on by all members. The subtopics are to be determined by both the portfolio holders and the rest of the members or the solely the portfolio members in accordance to the theme

-  Activities-these should ideally be planned for prior to the mission, nonetheless should a need arise for any activity which won’t affect the aim of the project, it can be conducted at the concern of the members available.

-  Accommodation- at all times care should be taken that gentlemen and ladies are never to be given the same room or apartment for accommodation. Never will it be allowed for such to take place even under the marital oath.

-  Transportation- care should be taken on the mode of transportation used; never should we plan for unsafe travel where possible. This means never should it be allowed for people to travel alone when it has been said they will be with the ministry. Ladies should at all times be protected by the gentlemen during travelling hours.

-  Diet- a vegan diet will be maintained as far as it possible, if medical conditions are a factor to anyone care should be practiced to insure that diet doesn’t affect the person involved. Therefore all are advised to disclose any complicated medical condition.

-  Medical conditions- allergies when one is aware of should be communicated on time so that in case of any emergence proper procedure may be followed. This is to also advise those who will be cooking to exercise caution when preparing food, failure to do so should not be accounted on the ministry.

-  Health- all missions should have as part of its programs health concerns of all. Therefore daily exercise should be planned for and conducted, without of cause the use of mentally, spiritually and physically harmful exercises.

Financial support

All members are expected to contribute to the mission project as need arise. The ministry is and will remain a none profitable group all its funds are for the purpose of the gospel. Therefore what everywhere  the funds we have should help further  the gospel.

Liability

This should be the concern and care of everyone. On mission everyone is responsible for everyone including themselves. The loss of one is the loss of everyone, never should anyone display a “don’t” care attitude towards anyone or any parcel/bag or whatever that has a direct and indirect connection to the ministry. This goes without saying that all the contacted of those who will be going to the mission project should be given to the secretary of the ministry. This also means contact of close family members should be given in, meaning the contact of the person given, must be aware of the trip you are taking. Cornerstone will take responsibility as far as it can, where it fails, it will make it clear and individuals will take responsibility then. The local church to which we are affiliated should be aware of each mission trip, so should all the other local churches around, the conference and even the Union where needs be. God will proved!!!!!!!!!

If God approves it we will do it!!!!!!