History of Cornerstone Community

Cornerstone Community emerged out of the Confessing Movement that occurred within the mainline Protestant denominations during the time of the turn of the centuries (Twentieth to Twenty-First). As the reformed foundation upon which the old denominations began to give way, as denominational bureaucracies became increasingly hierarchical and theologically diffuse, supporting secular agendas and “politically correct” ideology, Christian leaders, ministers and elders, began to find it necessary once again to “confess” the faith that had originated the church in Bible times and that our Protestant ancestors recalled and proclaimed.

In the fifteenth century, Christians sought liberty from a corrupt papacy which enslaved souls by limiting access to the Scriptures and by tying faith to the institution through participation in the mass, monetary contribution, and other works.

The contemporary Confessing Movement has sought liberty from corrupt denominations who have likewise placed institutional concerns above Scriptural integrity and have sold out to the spiritual hobgoblins of the age.

• Whereas the contemporary culture proclaims there are many ways to God, we confessed that Jesus Christ is the way to God (Jn. 14:6), the only mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5).

• Whereas the contemporary culture views humankind as the creator of all values and morals, we confessed that the Holy Scriptures alone, God’s revealed Word, are the final authority for us in matters of faith and morals. (II Tim. 3:16)

• Whereas the contemporary culture has reconstructed marriage into a contract between any two (or more?) people who want to live together, we confess that God created marriage to be between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24).

Almost all of the original members of Cornerstone Community came out of the Presbyterian Church, USA. A small group met in a home on February 13, 2005. Thereafter, from February 20 until September, the Ridgewood Baptist Church of Bemidji allowed the group to meet as an early service in their building.

During the spring and summer, Dr. Jack High, the pastor of Cornerstone, received recognition of his ordination by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, a small reformed denomination that had remained faithful to Scripture. In the fall of 2005, Cornerstone drew up by-laws and applied for recognition in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

On Saturday, September 24, Cornerstone invited the evangelical community to recognize its existence. Fifteen pastors and several lay leaders from many denominations in Bemidji – including Lutheran (both ELCA and Free Lutheran, Christian Missionary Alliance, Baptist, Assembly of God, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, and several community congregations laid hands on the pastor and founding members of Cornerstone and (in a sense) commissioned the church.

Since September 24, Cornerstone has its Worship Center and office and fellowship area in the library of the old Lincoln School at 414 Lincoln Ave. So., Bemidji, MN 56601. We rent from and share Sunday School with the Mt. Zion congregation, who meets in the opposite end of the building in the gym.

This Page was published on 01/8/2007