Equip Podcast

Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • 4.8 (113)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Produced by Cornerstone Church of Ames, The Equip Podcast is designed to provide insight, resources and Biblical wisdom to help us live faithful and fruitful lives together. 

  1. 5H AGO

    Men & Women Part 1: God's Good Design

    Mark and Emily begin a new series exploring what the Bible teaches about men and women. At a time when questions about gender, identity, and roles dominate cultural conversations, they return to the opening pages of scripture to establish a biblical foundation. Episode Highlights: 00:27 — Introducing a new series: Men & Women 00:46 — Why conversations about gender keep resurfacing in both culture and the church 01:27 — Gender as part of God’s created order, not merely a social construct 02:11 — Series roadmap: foundations, distinctions, dangers, and a Q&A episode 03:12 — “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus?” — where many gender conversations begin 03:18 — Starting point: men and women are more alike than we often assume 03:37 — Most commands in Scripture apply to all image-bearers, not just one gender 03:55 — Why Genesis 1 must shape our understanding of gender 05:00 — Equal dignity as image-bearers of God, with distinctions that follow 05:36 — The “pyramid” framework: creature vs. creator, human vs. animal, adult vs. child 07:38 — A biblical summary: masculinity as strength to serve, femininity as beauty that brings life 11:00 — Biological differences and why even secular science recognizes them 13:01 — How biological realities shape how men and women show up in relationships and society 17:00 — Why separating biology from identity pushes against God’s created order 21:40 — Final takeaway: the Bible consistently affirms that men and women are different by design Resources: • Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    23 min

  2. FEB 26

    Iowa State Talk Recap: Political Tribalism and the Importance of Christian Presence

    In this episode, Mark recaps his recent lecture at Iowa State University, reflecting on the growing problem of political tribalism in America and calling Christians to a distinctly different posture: rooted in conviction, civility, and faithful presence. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introduction and context: Recapping the Iowa State University lecture 01:52 — A flyover of the talk: Anxiety, anger, and political tribalism 02:06 — The central appeal: Learning how to disagree without dehumanizing 02:58 — A disturbing example: Political violence and the celebration of hatred 04:02 — Diagnosing the moment: Living in an “age of anxiety” 04:15 — Mark Sayers and the “gray zone”: Cultural transition and moral confusion 05:15 — The clash between post-Christian culture and the values of the Kingdom of God 13:01 — The university as a training ground for citizenship and civility 13:20 — The absence of viewpoint diversity and the danger of intellectual tribalism 21:00 — The call to Christian faithfulness: Being loyal first to Christ our King Resources: We Need to Disagree: The Importance of Honesty and Debate in an Age of Political Tribalism (Please note: This recording will remain live until March 2, 2026)Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    22 min

  3. FEB 15

    Lent & Fasting

    Lent isn’t about giving something up, but about cultivating something deeper. In this episode, Mark casts vision for the Lenten season and explains why fasting is a historic and biblical rhythm for followers of Jesus. From churning up the soil of the heart to aligning ourselves with the ancient church, Mark walks through both the theology behind Lent and the plan Cornerstone will follow together. Episode Highlights 00:27 — Introducing Lent and the vision for this season 01:14 — Jesus assumes his followers will fast 02:08 — “Break up the fallow ground” (Hosea 10:12) 02:48 — Lent connects us to the ancient church 03:21 — The 40-day rhythm of fasting & feasting 06:26 — Introducing the Lent Bookmark and weekly plan 08:00 — Overview of the seven weekly fasts 08:34 — Weekly communion throughout Lent 13:31 — Scripture memory: Philippians 2 14:51 — Final encouragement: Now is the time to seek the Lord Resources Text 'LENT' to 515-329-3343 to sign up for weekly reminders plus daily Holy Week readings and videos to guide you through this season.Cornerstone Church Lent ResourcesLent Bookmark & Weekly PlanCornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    15 min

  4. FEB 12

    AI Part 3: Using AI Wisely in Daily Life

    What does faithfulness look like as artificial intelligence becomes a normal part of everyday life? In Part 3 of this series, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen focus on practical wisdom—how Christians can use AI responsibly without outsourcing discernment, formation, or trust to technology. This conversation centers on limits: why AI should remain a tool rather than a guide, how dependence subtly shapes our spiritual habits, and why Christian maturity requires presence, patience, and embodied wisdom in an increasingly automated world. Episode Highlights   00:46 — Framing the conversation: living faithfully as Christians amid rapid technological change 01:53 — Everyday AI usage and how quickly dependence can form 03:14 — The danger of outsourcing thinking, discernment, and wisdom 05:02 — Why AI can assist productivity but cannot shape character 07:18 — Formation happens through presence, not efficiency 09:41 — The spiritual cost of convenience we rarely notice 12:06 — Why Christian growth requires friction, struggle, and patience 14:38 — AI as a tool, not a teacher or authority 17:05 — Discernment as a learned habit, not a technological feature 19:44 — How embodied community resists technological isolation 22:31 — The church’s responsibility to form people, not compete with tools 25:06 — Holding a posture of confidence rather than fear 27:26 — Final encouragement: use technology wisely, know its limits, trust Christ Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    28 min

  5. FEB 5

    AI Part 2: Wisdom and Discernment in a Digital Age

    How should Christians think about the ethical limits of artificial intelligence, and where should wisdom, restraint, and responsibility come into play? In Part 2 of this series, Mark Vance and Emily Jensen move from foundations to application, exploring the moral, ethical, and spiritual questions AI raises for individuals, churches, and society. This episode focuses on discernment: how Christians can engage emerging technology without fear, cynicism, or blind optimism. Mark and Emily discuss limits, unintended consequences, and why Christian wisdom must be shaped by Scripture. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Why Christians need more than excitement or fear when talking about AI 01:04 — Recap of Part 1 and why ethics must follow theology 02:28 — The difference between technological capability and moral permission 04:11 — Why “we can” doesn’t mean “we should” 06:02 — Human limits as a gift, not a flaw 07:46 — How AI subtly reshapes our understanding of work, creativity, and value 10:03 — Convenience, automation, and the danger of moral laziness 12:21 — Loving your neighbor in an age of powerful technology 15:04 — Why wisdom requires slowing down rather than keeping up 17:36 — The church’s role in forming people, not just reacting to tools 20:11 — Discernment as a spiritual discipline, not a personality trait 22:48 — Where Christians should draw lines 25:14 — Hope rooted in Christ, not technological progress Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    35 min

  6. JAN 29

    AI Part 1: What Should Christians Think About AI?

    How should Christians think about artificial intelligence—and what does faithfulness look like in a rapidly changing technological world? Mark Vance is joined by Emily Jensen to begin a thoughtful, theological conversation about artificial intelligence. Rather than reacting with fear or hype, they explore how Christians can approach AI with wisdom, discernment, and confidence in God’s design for humanity. Mark and Emily discuss why AI raises deeper questions about personhood, creativity, work, and trust, and why technology should be evaluated through a biblical lens rather than cultural panic. This first episode lays the groundwork for understanding AI as a tool—one that can shape society for good or ill depending on how it’s formed, governed, and used—and prepares listeners for a deeper ethical and theological discussion in Part 2. Episode Highlights 00:29 — Introduction to the conversation on artificial intelligence 01:11 — Why AI raises big questions for Christians 02:20 — Why the AI conversation isn’t just about technology, but about humanity 03:37 — Cultural anxiety around AI and where that fear comes from 04:38 — The theological heart of the issue: what makes humans unique 05:50 — Why the world AI is shaping isn’t the world Scripture describes 06:51 — Tracing where modern AI ideas come from historically 08:02 — Pulling back the curtain: what AI is (and isn’t) actually doing 21:42 — Everyday examples of AI already shaping our lives 22:54 — The real question AI forces us to ask about meaning and value 24:00 — Convenience, automation, and the tradeoffs we rarely notice 25:56 — Why efficiency alone can’t define what’s good 26:54 — Where Christians should anchor their hope amid technological change Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    29 min

  7. JAN 28 · BONUS

    How Should Christians Think About ICE and Immigration?

    In this bonus episode, Mark steps into a timely and emotionally charged topic surrounding immigration and ICE, not to offer political commentary, but to pastorally apply biblical truth to a complex cultural moment. Episode Highlights 00:39 — Referencing the Minneapolis clashes and ICE-related tensions 00:53 — Equip’s purpose: not political commentary, but pastoral discipleship 02:07 — Why the church must speak truth when culture fills the silence 03:10 — Applying biblical truth to emotionally charged public issues 04:32 — The danger of reacting purely from media narratives 06:05 — Government authority: what Scripture teaches about law and order 08:18 — Holding justice and compassion together biblically 10:44 — Why immigration conversations often oversimplify complex realities 13:27 — How Christians should think about protests, tensions, and public response 16:52 — Guarding our tone and witness in political conversations 19:34 — Loving neighbors without abandoning truth 22:11 — Avoiding partisan capture while remaining biblically faithful 24:58 — The church’s unique role: formation, prayer, and gospel clarity 27:40 — Final pastoral encouragement for humility and faithfulness 31:24 — A prayer for leaders and witnesses Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineThe Briefing with Albert Mohler Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    33 min

  8. JAN 22

    What Is A Healthy Church? Reflections on Church Size with Ryan Hill

    What actually makes a church healthy, and how should leaders think about growth without losing faithfulness? In this episode of the Equip Podcast, Mark Vance is joined by Ryan Hill, an Elder at Cornerstone and the Executive Director of The Salt Network, for a wide-ranging conversation on church health, growth, leadership, and gospel clarity. Together, they explore the difference between churches that simply get bigger and churches that grow in healthy, sustainable ways. Mark and Ryan talk through common misconceptions about church growth, the importance of gospel-centered vision, and why healthy churches don’t chase trends but cultivate spiritual vitality over time. They also discuss leadership development, member care, and how faithfulness to Jesus shapes every layer of church life, from Sunday mornings to long-term discipleship. Episode Highlights  00:33 — Introducing Ryan Hill and framing the conversation on church health 01:31 — Church growth vs. church health: why they aren’t the same thing 02:41 — Why numbers, services, and attendance aren’t the true measure of success 03:52 — The gospel as the engine of long-term church health 05:09 — How leadership decisions shape culture and direction over time 06:29 — Healthy growth requires clarity, patience, and intentional structure 07:55 — Growth as a byproduct of health, not the goal itself 09:08 — Why people stay when they believe in the mission and vision 23:25 — Why healthy churches attract and sustain young people 24:45 — A burden for the lost as a defining mark of church health 27:08 — The weight and responsibility of church leadership Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen online Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    29 min
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4.8
out of 5
113 Ratings

About

Produced by Cornerstone Church of Ames, The Equip Podcast is designed to provide insight, resources and Biblical wisdom to help us live faithful and fruitful lives together. 

Information

  • Creator
    Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    321
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Show Website
    Equip Podcast

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