Equip Podcast

Cornerstone Church of Ames
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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. 6D AGO

    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 onlineAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    35 min

  2. 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 onlineAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    29 min

  3. 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 MohlerAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    33 min

  4. 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 onlineAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    29 min

  5. JAN 15

    Ask Mark Anything: Dream Jobs, Marketing, & Hard Questions

    What does it look like to be deeply rooted in Christ in a world of cultural chaos? In this Ask Mark Anything episode, Mark Vance responds to honest questions from the Cornerstone Church community about faithfulness in everyday life—especially when culture, technology, and suffering raise complex tensions. From staying consistent in spiritual habits, to navigating social media and marketing with integrity, to honoring God in our vocations, Mark offers biblical wisdom that is both grounded and practical. The conversation also addresses deeply pastoral questions about grief, infants and intellectual disability, and how Christians can trust God’s goodness when Scripture doesn’t provide simple answers. The episode closes with a thoughtful discussion on artificial intelligence, urging believers to engage wisely—using technology as a tool that serves human flourishing rather than replacing it. Episode Highlights 01:33 — What is delighting you about Jesus right now in your scripture reading? 05:17 — Is there a Christian way to do marketing and sales? 10:16 — Should we avoid social media? 12:41 — Is there a hierarchy of holiness in vocation? What should we be doing with our time and lives? 20:04 — How do we think about infants (or those with childlike cognitive ability) who die without being able to profess anything? 29:35 — Can AI be my doctor? Could AI be my counselor? How should Christians think about the everyday role AI plays in their life? 33:48 — What's the “monk vs. missionary” idea when it comes to AI and technology? Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineThe Spring Spiritual Workout PlanGod at Work — Gene Edward VeithAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    37 min

  6. JAN 8

    Reflections on Revival & Revivalism

    What’s the difference between true revival and revivalism, and how should Christians respond when God seems to be stirring something fresh? Mark reflects on the Salt Company Conference and the broader signs of spiritual hunger he’s seeing among Gen Z. He explains why this moment is deeply encouraging, while also offering a needed distinction between revival and revivalism. Mark draws from Iain Murray’s Revival and Revivalism and echoes a helpful framework often attributed to Tim Keller: in true revival, dead Christians come alive, sleepy Christians wake up, and non-Christians are converted. As he looks ahead, Mark shares both a fear and a hope: that momentum could drift toward big event “mountaintop moments,” or instead fuel a lasting renewal centered on the local church, discipleship, and church planting. Episode Highlights 00:04 — What does it look like to be deeply rooted in Christ in a world of cultural chaos? 00:32 — Reflecting on Salt Company Conference and what God is doing through it 02:29 — Introducing the key question: revival vs. revivalism 05:03 — Defining revival: God’s Spirit igniting ordinary means of grace 06:06 — Defining revivalism: using human methods to produce extraordinary results 06:57 — Mark’s fear: momentum gets centered on big events and emotional moments 07:29 — Mark’s hope: a renewal movement that strengthens the local church 10:13 — The main point: God’s plan is the local church (not revival events) 15:43 — Luke 10:2: pray for laborers and for lasting fruit through church planting Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineSalt Company Conference: Listen to Sessions & BreakoutsRevival and Revivalism — Iain MurrayThe Gospel Coalition — "It's Here: Gen-Z Revival Hits Campuses This Fall"Ask Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    16 min

  7. JAN 1

    Goal Setting: How to Spend Your Time and Energy Well (+ Spring Spiritual Workout Plan)

    As a new year approaches, how should Christians think about goals, habits, and productivity—without slipping into hustle culture or empty self-improvement? In this episode, Mark offers a pastoral framework for goal setting that prioritizes faithfulness over frenzy. Rather than chasing vague resolutions or cultural pressure, he encourages listeners to think carefully about how they steward their time, energy, and attention as followers of Jesus. Drawing on biblical wisdom and pastoral experience, Mark contrasts surface-level goal setting with intentional rhythms that shape who we are becoming. Mark also introduces the Spiritual Workout Plan (SWP) as a practical tool to help believers grow in grace through daily and weekly practices like Scripture reading, prayer, silence, and intentional rest. This episode invites listeners to move from pressure-driven productivity to Spirit-formed faithfulness as they plan for the year ahead. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Why goal setting matters—and why most approaches fall short 02:12 — Faithfulness vs. hustle: rethinking success as a Christian 04:35 — Time, energy, and attention as spiritual stewardship 07:18 — The danger of vague resolutions and cultural pressure 09:50 — Forming rhythms instead of chasing outcomes 12:40 — Introducing the Spiritual Workout Plan (SWP): what it is and how it helps 15:22 — Daily and weekly practices that shape long-term faithfulness 18:10 — From discipline to delight: how habits form loves 21:05 — Planning your year with wisdom, margin, and dependence on grace Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineThe Spring Spiritual Workout PlanJames Clear, Atomic HabitsJustin Whitmel Earley, Habits of the HouseholdDavid Mathis, Habits of GraceAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    22 min

  8. 12/18/2025

    Q&A: Understanding the Differences Between Catholicism and Protestantism

    How should Christians navigate real-life questions about faith, family, dating, and church differences—especially when Catholic and Protestant worlds overlap? In this Q&A episode, Emily joins Mark to wrap up the “Why Protestantism?” series by moving from theology to wisdom. Mark responds to practical questions that surface after discussing Catholic and Protestant differences, particularly for those who grew up Catholic, have Catholic family members, or are navigating close relationships across traditions. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes starting with the gospel itself—personal faith in Christ—before addressing church affiliation, practices, or tradition. Mark also tackles sensitive topics like honoring Catholic parents, engaging family conversations with humility, dating across theological traditions, and how to approach disagreements with both clarity and charity. He concludes by addressing questions about biblical authority and the Catholic canon, explaining how Protestants understand Scripture, canon formation, and the ongoing need for reform within the church. The episode closes with a hopeful reminder that Christian unity matters deeply, even as real differences remain. Episode Highlights 00:00 — Introducing the Q&A: moving from theology to pastoral wisdom 02:00 — The foundational question: what truly saves a person? 03:30 — Can someone be a genuine Christian within the Catholic Church? 05:50 — When gospel clarity matters for spiritual growth and church health 06:45 — Honoring Catholic family members without compromising conviction 08:00 — “Show and tell” vs. “argue and yell”: a wiser approach to family conversations 10:05 — Dating across traditions: when differences become directional conflicts 11:00 — Mark’s 0–5 dating framework and why long-term direction matters 15:30 — Why Mark advises against serious dating between Catholics and Protestants 16:45 — Do Catholics have a different Bible? Understanding the Apocrypha 18:30 — How the church recognized Scripture—and why Protestants affirm sola Scriptura 23:40 — Learning from church history: where Protestant churches can drift too 26:00 — Why Protestantism allows for reform and self-correction 28:30 — The danger of trivializing worship and doctrine in modern evangelicalism 30:15 — Charity, clarity, and Christian unity in a secularizing culture Resources Cornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineGavin Ortlund, What It Means to Be Protestant (Truth Unites)Michael J. Kruger, Canon RevisitedMichael J. Kruger, Christianity at the CrossroadsAsk Mark a Question! Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

    33 min
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4.8
out of 5
111 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
    317
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cornerstone Church of Ames
  • Show Website
    Equip Podcast

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