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MARCH 2021

Cornerstone Conference is a body of IPHC Churches existing to equip ministers and churches to fulfill the Great Commission!

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WHY THE IPHC OPPOSES THE EQUALITY ACT

By Bishop A.D. Beacham, IPHC General Superintendent

On February 25 the US House of Representatives passed H.R. 5, also known as the “Equality Act.” (Read the full text of the bill here.) It will now be considered by the US Senate.

The legislation expands US government “protections” for people in the growing categories of sexual orientation and practice. These include areas of sexual practice that most evangelicals, Pentecostals, Roman Catholics, and others deem to be contrary to the will of God.

The IPHC opposes this legislation for numerous reasons, among them being that the protections provided religious institutions in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 are expressly excluded. This language is directly from the legislation:

“The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.) shall not provide a claim concerning, or a defense to a claim under, a covered title, or provide a basis for challenging the application or enforcement of a covered title.” In other words, the legislation supersedes religious liberties under the 1993 RFRA Act and the First Amendment.

The National Association of Evangelicals has addressed the implications of the House legislation and the process by which it was passed: “Today’s action by the House of Representatives to pass the Equality Act on a party line vote without hearings or committee markup represents a lost opportunity to develop sensible legislation that would unite our country and protect all Americans from unjust discrimination. While the Equality Act offers protections for LGBT individuals, its current form threatens to turn houses of worship and other religious spaces into ‘public accommodations’ subject to intrusive government intervention, in violation of the First Amendment.”

The IPHC has been very clear in its statements regarding human sexuality, marriage, the Bible, and the drift in our culture. I encourage you to read our statement on Marriage and Sexual Morality. A Spanish version is also available.

What shall we do?

▪ We must renew our commitment to the Bible as the Word of God. The IPHC Articles of Faith and our first core value affirm Holy Scripture has the final authority for our beliefs and actions.
▪ Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit across our churches. We pray this will bring about genuine repentance so that we will live as light and salt in this world.
▪ Pray for, and financially support our educational and benevolent institutions, as they will likely encounter serious challenges if this bill becomes law.
▪ Remember that we do not hate people. We are called to love people, and live in such a way that the lost will find hope in Christ through our verbal and life-style witness. We must be mindful that “we do not war according to the flesh,” (2 Corinthians 10:3), and “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12).
▪ Call and email your US Senator. You can Google how to contact your Senator by name and state. With an evenly divided Senate, it is imperative that we respectfully contact our senators appeal to them not to support this legislation.
▪ Call and email the White House, respectfully expressing your opposition to the Equality Act.
▪ Pray for the US Supreme Court. If the legislation becomes law, there will likely be court challenges.
We must renew our commitment to the Bible as the Word of God. The IPHC Articles of Faith and our first core value affirm Holy Scripture has the final authority for our beliefs and actions.
Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit across our churches. We pray this will bring about genuine repentance so that we will live as light and salt in this world.
Pray for, and financially support our educational and benevolent institutions, as they will likely encounter serious challenges if this bill becomes law.
Remember that we do not hate people. We are called to love people, and live in such a way that the lost will find hope in Christ through our verbal and life-style witness. We must be mindful that “we do not war according to the flesh,” (2 Corinthians 10:3), and “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12).
Call and email your US Senator. You can Google how to contact your Senator by name and state. With an evenly divided Senate, it is imperative that we respectfully contact our senators appeal to them not to support this legislation.
Call and email the White House, respectfully expressing your opposition to the Equality Act.
Pray for the US Supreme Court. If the legislation becomes law, there will likely be court challenges.

Regardless of what occurs in this issue, we are called to live with love, hope, truth, proclaiming the righteousness and goodness of the kingdom of God. Let us not be afraid.

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Lake Photo Save The Date Instagram Photo

2021 CAMP DAYSPRING

Save the Date!

Camp DaySpring is a Christian camp located in beautiful Browns Summit, NC and is a branch of Cornerstone Conference Discipleship Ministries. Our 150 acre campus offers exciting activities for all ages including a Rock Wall, Zipline, Giant Swing, and a lake area fully equipped with slides, canoes, paddle boards, water toys and more!

Each summer, hundreds of kids and teens gather here to renew friendships, conquer new challenges and most importantly, grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Our mission is to lead students to Salvation and Christian maturity by engaging the heart, mind, body and soul of our campers during their Camp DaySpring experience.

2021 Camp DaySpring Schedule:

Sr. High Camp - June 16-20
Jr. High Camp - June 20-24
Primary Camp - June 24-27
Junior Camp - June 27-July 1

*Please note that our camp schedule is subject to change based on COVID-19 recommendations.

Staff Applications and Camper Registration forms will be available on-line by the end of March!

For more information, please contact Joel Boyles @ 336-656-7936 x. 116 or email him at jboyles@ccrdc.org.

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WHY MY GENERATION PROBABLY WON’T REACH THE NEXT GENERATION

By Carey Nieuwhof

I am passionate about reaching and equipping the next generation.

But here’s a chilling thought that’s been growing in me over the last few years: what if my generation won’t be the one to do it?

At least not fully. At least not nearly as badly as we want to.

There are a number of reasons for this that I’ll share in this post, but here’s the sobering reminder that I think too many of us who are over 40 miss.

It’s time for my generation to stop talking about how to reach the next generation without including the next generation. ⠀

Way too often, I see Gen Xers (my generation) and Boomers talking about how to reach the next generation. That’s a wonderful thing. And it’s far better than older leaders not caring about the future.

The problem is this: Often when they talk about reaching the next generation, there’s not a single person under 30 with them on the platform or a single 20-something on their senior team shaping the conversation, strategies or solutions.

This is a problem in the church and it’s a problem in most organizations. Older leadership excludes younger leaders and then wonders where all the younger people went or why they can’t seem to reach them. Founders or long-term senior leaders often age along with their teams, and then wonder why there’s no obvious successor waiting to take over or why everyone they’re reaching is older.

None of this helps organizations reach or influence the next generation.

The older I get, the more I realize it’s going to take the leadership of the next generation to reach the next generation.

So what dynamics are at play?
First, three reasons why my generation (and most of us over 40) probably won’t reach the next generation:

1. INNOVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION NATURALLY COMES FROM THE NEXT GENERATION

Here’s the pattern. When you’re in your twenties and early thirties, it’s easy to innovate and bring about change.

You know what bothers you about how the previous generation led. You have an almost innate sense of what needs to change. So innovation is easy.

But the innovation you introduce quickly becomes the status quo, and as the next generation comes on the scene, they view you as the establishment.

It’s harder to keep innovating as you get older as a leader, in part because you’ve used a lot of your creative energy to craft what you’ve created (your creative energy has a shelf-life and cycle to it), and in part, because most of us fall prey to sunk cost bias (I’ve built this whole thing…we simply have to keep it going). As a result, the older you get, the less likely you are to innovate.

Not so with the next generation.

For all these reasons and more, innovation for the next generation naturally comes from the next generation.

2. YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT CULTURE NEARLY AS WELL AS YOUNG LEADERS DO

One of the key reasons older leaders struggle to reach the next generation is because culture keeps changing.

And a built-in advantage every young leader has is this: they’re cultural natives. You don’t think about culture or how it works when you’re in your teens or twenties because you’re so immersed in it.

A leader in his forties or fifties might know every movie reference from the 90s, but knowing all the key lines from Braveheart and the lyric to every Talking Heads song doesn’t exactly help you connect with 25-year-olds.

So why does this matter?

Simple, it’s hard to reach a culture you don’t understand.

Relevance matters only because relevance gives you permission to speak into the culture. The culture simply doesn’t listen to people it deems irrelevant.

3. YOUNG ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK IT IS

Age is relative. When I was in third grade, the kids in fourth or fifth grade seemed so much older to me.

Now, a year or two (or sometimes a decade or two) doesn’t seem like a big deal at all.

I was talking to a 26-year-old comedian recently who was venturing into stand-up.

As he told me his story, he said “there’s almost no one my age doing stand up.”

To which I said, well what about comedian X? (naming someone else we both knew).

“Oh” my friend replied, “he’s not young, he’s 35.”

I thought to myself, “Well that’s young.” Glad I didn’t say it out loud, because it suddenly dawned on me that when you’re 26, 35 seems ancient.

The challenge with most of us as we age is that we think of everyone younger than us as young (45 is young, right?), and we dismiss the very young.

I’ve seen far too many older leaders dismiss 23 or 27 year old leaders as ‘way too young’ to entrust with significant power or responsibility. That’s such a mistake.

People entrusted me with stupid amounts of power and responsibility when I was in my twenties. Did I always get it right? No. Emphatically no. But that’s how you learn and grow.

There is a growing sense in Gen Xers and Boomers that no one under 30 is really capable of leading. That’s just patently false.

From Mozart (who wrote his first symphony at age 8) to Alexander the Great (who was winning battles as a teenager), and Thomas Edison (who invented the first phonograph at age 30 after years of tinkering), young leaders accomplish incredible things.

Here are 3 reasons why my generation probably won’t reach the next generation, and 4 things you and I can do about it.

So…what should you do to make room for younger leaders? Here are four things you can do now to equip your organization to reach the next generation.

1. STOP CRITICIZING YOUNG LEADERS

Your attitude leaks.

I’ve sat with a lot of 40-year-old + leaders who complain incessantly about what young leaders lack.

I recently surveyed over 900 CEOs, entrepreneurs, church leaders, administrators and other leaders to find out what they thought about younger and older leaders in the workplace.

One older leader wrote: They have a hard time being a team player and doing things they are not “passionate” about.

Another wrote: They listen to one podcast and they’re an expert.

The number one complaint young leaders have about older leaders in the workplace? They’re inflexible, won’t listen and won’t change.

Older leaders, this is on us to lead the way.

The best way to ensure you have no young leaders in your organization is to keep criticizing young leaders.

Instead of criticizing them, embrace and learn from them.

I have a new course out on how to navigate the tension between older and younger leaders at work, called the Lead A Better Team. It’s all about how to attract and keep high capacity leaders in a rapidly changing world.

It’s especially useful for leaders who want to attract young leaders to their team who honestly and navigate the tension and frustration that often erupts at work between Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials and Gen Z.

2. FIND, FUEL AND FUND THE NEXT GENERATION

So what should older leaders (like me) do?

Rather than fighting the next generation, find, fuel and fund them instead.

Older leaders are in a remarkable position, often with wisdom, connections, influence and resources younger leaders don’t have.

That puts older leaders in the incredible position of being able to find young leaders, fuel their leadership by investing in them, and even providing the funds to explore and innovative new ways of implementing the mission.

Too many older leaders fight young leaders. Wiser leaders find them, fuel them and fund them instead.

3. FLIP THE KEYS

Oh, this one’s hard. I know. Hear me out though.

For reasons I outline here, far too many leaders stay two seasons too long.

The best thing those of us in leadership today can do is flip the keys to the next-gen. Sometimes that’s some of the keys. In other cases that’s all of the keys.

At a minimum, it includes inviting them around the table not just to talk but to act. To influence, shape and lead.⠀ ⠀

Don’t just let younger leaders observe. Let them lead.

So many people think that because they have some young people in the organization, they’ve cracked the code. No, you haven’t.

The key is to get actual young leaders at the actual senior leadership table.

Worried about your future role? Two thoughts.

First, there may not be anything to hand over if you hang on for too long.

Second, giving the next generation the room to lead doesn’t threaten your job security, it gives you job security.

Why? Anyone who can help an organization renew itself is highly valuable to the organization.

So…hand over the keys. I don’t know your particular situation, but I promise you, you need to hand over some of them, and in some cases, all of them.

Here’s what’s at stake. Older leaders, your desire to hang onto power is disempowering the next generation.

4. MENTOR, EQUIP AND CONVENE

Surprisingly, the next generation needs older generations. (They just don’t need them clinging to power.)

One of the most encouraging things about the next generation is their deep desire to learn from older leaders.

As Gordon MacDonald has said, young people are a generation looking for a father (and perhaps a mother).

Whether you’re still in the senior leadership seat or not, an ongoing role for older leaders to play is to mentor, equip and convene the next generation of leaders.

For sure you should be doing this for your younger staff, but it could be larger than that. I’ve connected with tens of thousands of young leaders through this blog and through my leadership podcast.

You’ve probably also got convening power as an older leader, and by that I mean the ability to get people in a room. Whether that’s inviting young leaders to join you, or pulling together a variety of leaders to build into the young leaders in your orbit, your ability to give to the next generation is something they both need and crave.

Here’s a wonderful paradoxic. Your desire to do something for the next generation directly impacts your likelihood of getting something from the next generation in return.

So invest. If you’re like me, you’ll love the return you see.

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2021 SENIOR ADULT TRIP - OCTOBER 18-22

Reserve your seat today!

We are excited to announce our 2021 Cornerstone Conference Senior Adult Bus Trip to Niagara Falls and the Amish Country October 18-22, 2021! As you know, due to COVID 19, we were unable to offer a bus trip in 2020.

I realize we all want to leave 2020 behind us, and it is my desire that we get back to our Annual Cornerstone Senior Adult Trip sponsored by Discipleship Ministries. I understand that with current circumstances there may be those who question if they would be able to go in October. Keep in mind our policy is to refund any deposit up until final payment is due around mid-September.

As you can see from the promo we have a great trip planned! Please note that we will not be going into Canada so no one will need to purchase a passport.

To make a deposit and reserve your seat, please email myself (jboyles@ccrdc.org) or Leah McCullar (lmccullar@ccrdc.org). You may also contact our office at 336.656.3956 x. 116.

I also have some exciting news I would like to share with you! Your Discipleship Ministries Council is in the midst of preparing for Camp Dayspring this summer!! Please look for our emails and website for more information. We will have staff and camper applications available in March!

Please know that you all are in our prayers. May God bless you!

Blessings,

Joel Boyles
Discipleship Ministries Resident Director
Cornerstone Conference, IPHC

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BOOK RECOMMENDATION - NECESSARY ENDINGS

By Dr. Henry Cloud

Read the Preface below from Dr. Henry Cloud for a glimpse inside...

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HISPANIC MINISTRY TO INMATES

Interview with Pastor Ivan & Alba Padial

God says in Matthew 25:36 “I was in prison, and ye came into me.” (KJV).

In the year 2007 pastor Ivan Padial and his wife Alba were called to serve God. It was a very particular calling to be fulfilled among prisoners in a particular way: letters.

In the interview that follows pastor Padial, a local licensed minister of the Hispanic Ministry at CCIPHC, talks about the ministry God placed on his hands.

How and when did the ministry start?

Our Ministry began in the year 2007. At that time Alba and I volunteered working with American prisoners at the High Point Detention Center. One day, a Hispanic prisoner spoke with us and asked us if we could bring the gospel to them in Spanish; since at the time, church services were provided only in English and they could not attend. We spoke with the Chaplain of HP Jail and she authorized us to start a Bible Study Program for the Hispanic inmate. Since then, we have been ministering to both groups.

What support have you had?

Cornerstone Hispanic Ministry provided the credentials that enabled us to visit inmates once they are transferred to a prison.

Financially, this Ministry is mainly supported by our personal income and Pastor Mark Hopkins and the First Pentecostal Holiness Church (FPHC) have allowed us to use the color copier at no cost to the ministry. He has also provided the ministry with Spanish Bibles and our ministry is grateful to have his full support.

What results do you highlight about what God has done?

Alba and I have been sowers of the Word of God and the Lord has given the multiplication for this ministry to grow. The Lord has also opened doors to evangelize and disciple inmates in the Carolinas, as well as Federal inmates in Virginia, Florida, and California. In addition, the Lord has opened the door to disciple some of their family members through biblical studies, monthly bulletins, personal correspondence, visits and phone conversations.

Could you highlight a particular testimony?

For this ministry, there is no better testimony than knowing that some inmates have surrendered their life to Jesus, and through the liberating power of the Word of God they became productive members of society and a living testimony to others. Many inmates have stayed in contact with us once they return to their countries and call us to give us their testimony. They frequently share what the Lord has done for them and their families and how the Lord has used them spread the Gospel of Christ. An inmate related to us how the Lord used him to bring his family and others to Christ and how that group constructed their village’s first church.

How do you summarize your experience in the prison ministry?

We have been privileged to serve on the front lines and see the power of God in action in the lives of some inmates we ministered. Renacer Prison ministry is a long-term commitment because there are always souls in need of love, a word of encouragement, and someone to listen/talk to them without judging them. Most importantly, this ministry brings a message of hope, comfort and freedom in Jesus Christ to those who are held captives by the choices they have made.
What is the projection of the ministry?

Through the High Point Jail Ministry some doors have been opened for us to be involved in the Re-Entry Program of the Triad Area. This program assists inmates in the process of planning and executing a successful transition to their community upon their release.

Future ministry plans include development of a preventive program of early intervention focused on middle, and high school students to help them avoid getting involved in delinquent behavior.

Any special thanks?

We thank God for equipping us to do His Work. (Ephesians 4:12-13, Hebrews 13:21)

Secondly, we want to thank Pastor Juan Carlos Vazquez and the Hispanic Ministry Board for providing us the Pastoral Credentials and the opportunity to become part of the Cornerstone Conference.

Thirdly, we want to thank Pastor J. C. Miles, & Pastor Mark Hopkins, and the First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Lexington for embracing this ministry, their prayers and providing invaluable help and support.

Lastly, a special thanks to Pastor Joel Pava for his continued interest in the development of this ministry.

Pastor Ivan & Alba Padial

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JOIN OUR NEXT IN-PERSON HGMC TRAINING - MARCH 15 FROM (9 AM - 1 PM)

Excited to announce our first IN-PERSON training for 2021 for Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Churches on March 15 from 9 AM - 1 PM at the Cornerstone Conference IPHC cafeteria training center.

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Pastor Bill Rose will lead us in discussing the following:

1. Growing an online church
2. Setting goals: Matter, Measurable, Mutual, Monthly
3. Leadership: Command & Control vs Inspire & Engage
1. Growing an online church
2. Setting goals: Matter, Measurable, Mutual, Monthly
3. Leadership: Command & Control vs Inspire & Engage

Lunch will NOT be served, only snacks.

It is important we know how many people plan to attend so we can properly distance tables, etc. If you have not taken the attendance poll on the HGMC FaceBook page, then please take a moment and do so, or email Jonathan Hill (jhill@ccrdc.org) if you plan to attend.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Jonathan Hill
Resident Director of Evangelism Ministries
jhill@ccrdc.org

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PUTTING ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD

By Pam Rooker, Cornerstone Girls' Ministries Director

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

Most of us learned about the armor of God when we were children. As adults we should truly understand the importance of this truth.

In our world today things seem to be going in the wrong direction all around us! This can paralyze us with fear and anxiety. I encourage you to be reminded of the armor of God. Each day we are mindful to wear the proper attire. On a cold winter morning you would probably choose a warm coat, gloves and maybe even a pair of boots before heading out.

We should be just as mindful of our spiritual attire and put on the full armor of God each morning. How can we do this? By being intentional and utilizing each piece of armor!

▪ Belt of Tuth: We wear this by standing on the truth in God’s word and not what the world around us is saying.
▪ Breastplate of Righteousness: We do this by seeing others through the love of Jesus. Remember He died for all mankind.
▪ Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Be ready to share the good news with others! Time is running out! We must be about the Father’s business!
▪ Shield of Faith: (2 Timothy 1:12) I know in whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. Don’t lose faith my friend!
▪ Helmet of Salvation: 2 Corinthians 10:5 says to take every thought captive. Don’t entertain thoughts that make you anxious or fearful! We know how the story ends. God is in control!
▪ Sword of the Spirit: Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. Never forget promises of God’s word.
Belt of Tuth: We wear this by standing on the truth in God’s word and not what the world around us is saying.
Breastplate of Righteousness: We do this by seeing others through the love of Jesus. Remember He died for all mankind.
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace: Be ready to share the good news with others! Time is running out! We must be about the Father’s business!
Shield of Faith: (2 Timothy 1:12) I know in whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. Don’t lose faith my friend!
Helmet of Salvation: 2 Corinthians 10:5 says to take every thought captive. Don’t entertain thoughts that make you anxious or fearful! We know how the story ends. God is in control!
Sword of the Spirit: Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. Never forget promises of God’s word.

Just as you are preparing for a new day and choosing the proper attire be sure to put on the full armor of God, so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes!

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BMI

UPCOMING ONLINE BMI CLASSES

__________________

MARCH 5-6 CLASS:

Managing Church Conflict
Instructor: Tommy McGhee
Text: The Peace Making Pastor by Alfred Poirier
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APRIL 9-10 CLASSES

IPHC History
Instructor: Stan York
Text: Old Time Power by Vinson Synan

Pastoral Care and Counseling
Instructor: Darrell Greene
Text: Biblical Counseling by Tim Clinton & Ron Hawkins

To register for classes or for more information, please contact Tennille Nichols @ tnichols@ccrdc.org.

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March 2021 CCRDC Ministry Opportunities
Interested in starting a new church
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THANK YOU FOR CONNECTING WITH CORNERSTONE!

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