Seeking the Spiritual Renewal of Seattle (?)

City Life, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We want to see spiritual, social and cultural renewal take place in Seattle.

But, what does that actually look like? This is the first in a series of blogs that will answer that question. God’s ultimate aim is his glory (Mt 6:9, cf 1 Cor 10:31). And He makes his glory known through His kingdom (Mt 6:10a), which exists wherever He rules over human hearts submitted to Him by faith.  And His primary plan for making His invisible kingdom visible is through the Church (Mt 6:10b; Eph 3:10). And the Church receives power for this work through the Gospel (Mt 6:11;13; Rom 1:16). In other words, the glory of God is made known through the invisible kingdom being made visible through the Church, empowered by the Gospel. Therefore, seeking the spiritual, social and cultural renewal of Seattle is nothing more than making the invisible kingdom visible in every sphere of life.

What does a spiritually renewed Seattle look like?

Downtown Cornerstone is committed to building a great city, not just a great church.  Yet, these two are not opposed. A great church will build a great city. So, practically speaking, what does it look like to spiritually renew Seattle? Not through imperialistic, patronizing, holier-than-thou tactics; but through the faithful presence of Jesus’ followers in the city. What follows are some examples of what spiritual renewal will look like in Seattle. In a spiritually renewed Seattle:

• There is a clear and powerful proclamation of the Gospel of grace that spreads through the city that replaces religious legalism and irreligious liberalism.
• There are testimonies of changed lives known throughout the city.
• There is greater openness in Seattle to the claims of Jesus and the Gospel.
• There are churches being planted in every one of Seattle’s major neighborhoods – and planters sent out of Seattle to unreached peoples around the globe.
• There is revitalization and new life within existing, established churches.
• There is supernatural unity, cooperation and love within and between churches.
• There is a balanced outreach of word and deed is meeting the needs of the city.
• There is a sense that the Church would genuinely be missed should it no longer exist in Seattle.

This work is beyond the capacity of any single church, including Downtown Cornerstone. It’s for this reason that we don’t exist to merely see our church planted, but a movement of churches planted in Seattle and beyond. We invite you to join us as we embark on this impossible task, following the God of impossibilities (Eph 3:20-21).