A New Year. A New Season.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

I don’t know about you, but I love new beginnings.

This year is no different. As many of you know, we are a newly forming church in the downtown core of Seattle. We exist to build a great city through the gospel of Jesus for God’s glory. In other words, we love Seattle and not only want to build a great church, but a great city. As we enter into 2011 we’re entering into a new season as a church plant. This is an important stretch as we make final preparations for a healthy launch, while avoiding a premature birth. There is a lot happening and I can’t wait to see how our Great King moves.

Grace in 2010

Jesus has been gracious to us from drawing people, to providing design, to offering web help, to moving many to fund this new work, to finding space(s) for us to gather in and more – He has provided for His people. It was only several months ago we hosted a dinner to celebrate the first 15 people to commit to the Downtown Cornerstone Launch Team; now, we have nearly 40. Only last month we were meeting in a conference room of a highly secured building; as of last week we are on the ground in the middle of Pioneer Square. Only last week, we were gathering as one community; as of this week we are multiplying for the first time (with two more on the horizon). Jesus is building his church.

“The Last Trimester”

At times the process of church planting is compared to pregnancy. As of this past Sunday, Downtown Cornerstone is in the last trimester of planting (coincidentally – or maybe not – the Sinnett family is also entering into our last trimester with a baby girl due in April). We’re public, but we’re still getting things figured out. We’re taking this winter to (1) ensure missional and ministry health, (2) multiply communities and (3) grow our Launch Team (see below). That means our Sunday gatherings won’t be perfect, but our God will be – week after week. If you notice a hole, it’s there for you to fill. Thank you.

Weekly Sunday Gatherings

Beginning on January 16th we began a new weekly series examining who Jesus claims to be. We’re starting with Who Jesus Is because if Jesus is who he said he was that changes everything for us today – and forever. You can learn more about the new series HERE. You can learn more about our new, but temporary, space in the Pioneer building (600 1st Ave) HERE.

Cornerstone Communities

Downtown Cornerstone is not just interested in holding events but for people to connect, share life and form communities that are deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are communities of diverse imperfect people that are committed to living out the implications of the gospel in every sphere of life. These are communities of radical grace, sacrificial service, and joy. These are communities that eat together, pray together, laugh together, and study the Bible together (i.e. share life). These are communities that build up the church by encouraging people to faith in Jesus Christ and build up the city through deeds of justice and mercy. These are communities where you can be who God created you to be, yourself. To learn more or to join a Cornerstone Community go HERE.

Launch Team

A “church” is a group of people; not a place or building.  Therefore, because a church is a people, churches are planted by groups of people; not solitary, isolated pastors. We call that group of people the Launch Team. Church planting is not easy. True to its name, church planting is much like planting a field for harvest, requiring substantial preparation, inordinate patience and supernatural perseverance. It is thrilling, yet daunting. Yet, the glorious harvest is well worth the pain, heartache and challenge endured along the way. We encourage you to prayerfully consider joining the Launch Team. God calls particular people, not all people, and each one of us must decide through prayer, sober-assessment and wise counsel whether this is the right move. The importance of the initial launch team cannot be understated. In subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways this group will determine the culture of Downtown Cornerstone for years to come. Our hope, this winter, is to grow our launch team to 50-75 people and prepare for a launch celebration on Sunday, April 3rd.

It’s an exciting season. Let’s continue to ask God to do what only He can do in 2011. I pray that “as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15)