LEADERSHIP
PLURALITY OF ELDERS, SUPPORTED BY DEACONS, EMPOWERING BELIEVERS
We believe the purpose of biblical leadership is to facilitate a genuine relationship between God and people so that out of life-transforming encounters with the living God people will engage with him in lifestyles of worship and witness. Biblical leadership should help people know God, understand their identity and destiny in him, and respond to God's calling of them to serve him in a new kind of priesthood - one that consists not only of leaders but of all believers.
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So the role of Cornerstone's leadership team is, through the preaching of the gospel of Christ, to introduce people to Jesus and to teach, equip and empower all believers in the practical application of God's Word, so that the good news of Christ is proclaimed through their lives, not only in what they say, but also in what they do. This preparing of God's people for works of service is the essence of biblical discipleship. The resulting dynamic in church life is that over time the barrier between "the pulpit" and "the pew" is broken down, spectators become participants and people who were once audience members are transformed into active players in the advance of God's kingdom through his church.
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Here's more information about Cornerstone's leadership team:
ELDERSHIP COUPLES
The inspiration for Cornerstone's leadership structure is found in the New Testament, where we see local churches led by elders, supported by deacons, in accountability relationships with trans-local apostolic fathers.
In the New Testament the terms "elder" and "pastor" are interchangeable and neither is used as a title before a given name. So at Cornerstone we call our pastors "elders", with each called by their name rather than a title. Cornerstone's eldership team will grow as the church grows.
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Cornerstone is led by eleven eldership couples, ordained by apostolic fathers:
MATT & RANA
JONES
Matt and Rana, from the United Kingdom and Lebanon, who share a background in media and corporate communications and were formerly on the leadership team at Well Of Life Church in Dubai, which oversaw the planting of the house church that became Cornerstone.
DUANE & ISABEL
FURSTENBURG
Duane and Isabel, from South Africa, who are both accountants by profession and the parents of three young boys.
PAUL & NADIA
SZCZESIAK
Paul and Nadia, from the United Kingdom and South Africa, who work in the construction and airline industries respectively and parents of 2 children.
JACOB & BLESSY
PHILIP
Jacob and Blessy, from India, who are both engineers by profession and parents of 3 young children
RAJESH & KOGI
HURRYPURSAD
Rajesh is an engineer by profession, and his wife Kogi, are both from South Africa, and parents of 3 children.
JOHN & SAYALI
SAVIO
John and Sayali, from India, work in the business development and nursing professions respectively. They are expecting twin boys.
MARIUS & MELINDA
PRINSLOO
Marius and Melinda, from South Africa, an engineer and dietitian by profession, and parents of 4 children.
OBED & SHARLENE
ESPADA
Obed & Sharlene, from USA, are both teachers and parents of 2 children.
JACO & CORINE
BREYTENBACH
Jaco & Corine, from South Africa, an engineer and manager, and parents
of 2 children.
JAMES & LISA
GERBER
James and Lisa, from South Africa, work in the airline and education professions. Have recently been blessed with a boy.
ROBERT & JANICE
CHARNLEY
Robert and Janice, from South Africa, are both teachers and parents of 2 children.
DEACONS
