Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

A new season brings new opportunities – and new books. Well, in this case, old books. As we head into the fall I want to recommend a number of oldies-but-goodies to anyone that happens to be considering what’s next on their reading list. I love CS Lewis’ comments on the importance of old books, particularly in light of the multitude of modern books being published today, in his introduction to Athanasius’ On the Incarnation. You can find the full intro here. Here is an excerpt:

I recommend creating a balance in your reading diet, particulary when it comes to the era in which books were written. For me, I try to read 2-3 books by dead guys for every book I read by a modern author. Why? Well, because old books have been proven by the test of time and modern books are still on trial, as Lewis puts it. If you want to invest your time well, make sure your reading includes some of the classics.

A Preliminary Recommendation.

I’ve spoken with a number of you who have mentioned that, “I am not a reader.” Unfortunately it is often stated in the same way someone would say, “I have one head and there is no changing that.” That’s not true. Readers are not necessarily born, they are created and cultivated. Of course, if you’re not a reader, you’re probably not reading this. But, if you are, I hope that is encouraging. For readers and not-yet-readers alike, I highly recommend Lit: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. It makes some of the most helpful content from this classic book much more accessible. You will be surprised how helpful reading a book on reading could be. He also provides some really practical help on how to fit reading in to an already busy schedule. You want this book.

Classic Fall Reading.

On the Incarnation by St. Athansius (AD296-373)
This is easily in my top 10 favorite books of all time. The translation that includes the introduction by CS Lewis is worth the read alone. It is incredibly faith stirring to read Athanaisius defend the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus as such an early, and crucial, stage of the early church. Super accessible.

Confessions by St. Augustine (AD354-430)
This would be in my top five favorite books of all time. It’s a little more of a demanding read, but well worth it. The entire book is Augustine’s autobiography written in the form of a prayer back to God. It’s like getting to eaves drop on Augustine praying. Stunning and helpful. To my knowledge, nothing else like it has ever been written. It may help to do a little preliminary background reading on Augustine online before digging in.

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (AD1628-1688)
This falls in my top five as well, particularly the first half that deals with the main character, Christian. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of the Christian life as Christian, the man, embarks from the City of Destruction and heads to the Celestial City. Along the way he encounters the likes of Talkative, Hopeful, Faithful and others. Bunyan wrote this while in prison for preaching the gospel. You’ll find your soul stirred.

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards (AD1703-1758)
This is a classic of Jonathan Edwards, easily the greatest theologian that America has every produced. As some of the others above, not always the easiest to get through, but incredibly helpful. In it he deals with the issue of true faith and how it manifests itself in our lives. This is a topic that needs to be revisited in our day.

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis (AD1898-1963)
Of all the books above, this is the most accessible. Originally Lewis gave each chapter as a talk over the radio. They were later compiled and turned into a book. In it Lewis defends and explains the nature of Christianity. It is a helpful book for Christian and non-Christian alike. I highly recommend it. The closest modern day parallel is Tim Keller’s, The Reason for God.

In case you missed it, I also posted a number of other recommended books this past summer HERE.

City Life, News

Downtown Cornerstone is happy to partner with Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission (UGM) during their Fall Giving Campaign by collecting socks at our Sunday gatherings! Beginning this Sunday, Sept 23rd, please bring in any new pairs of men’s, women’s or children’s socks to drop in the marked donation bins. Our goal is to raise 500 pairs of socks by the end of October. This means that if 83 people purchase just one 6-pack of socks, we can reach our goal! Be sure to print up this poster to hang in your break room or apartment building to spread the word.

One of the seven distinctives of DCC is RENEWAL. We believe that out of personal gospel renewal, urban renewal will flow, as the very spiritual, social and cultural fabric of Seattle is redeemed. We love this city, and are called to be salt and light in both word and deed. Will you join us?

If you’d like to partner with the UGM by donating more than just socks, find more info here.

UGM is the only shelter in Seattle that offers three meals a day, 365 days a year.
The Mission serves an average of 1,400 meals a day.
It costs an average of $1.92 to feed a hungry man, woman or child a single meal.
UGM has one of the few family shelters that accepts boys through age 18.
UGM’s Women and Children’s Shelter sleeps an average of 72 women and children each night.
The Mission provides meals, shelter, clothing, homework assistance, counseling and educational field trips for homeless children.
Approximately 20 percent of Mission staff were once program residents.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Summer extends through the end of September in Seattle so consider this a fall preview. As we approach this next season of life and ministry in the city, there are a number of key areas of the church for which you can be praying. If you’ve been running with us for any amount of time, you know that we believe our God is alive, active, and personally involved in the nitty gritty of our every day lives. We are his people. This is his work and, astonishingly, he has entrusted it to us. Us? Us. That includes you too. Amazing, isn’t it?

You’ve probably picked up on the fact that Jesus said some profound things during his earthly ministry. For example, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mat 9:37-38) and “I will build my church.” (Mat 16:18) Relatedly, the Apostle Paul tells us that “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes…” (Rom 1:16) Did you catch that? The gospel is the power of God.

What do all of these verses have in common? Today, Jesus is still carrying out his work of salvation through the gospel, which is the power of God, through his people – us. He’s still doing that today, in Seattle. We got a taste of that at our last baptisms, didn’t we? What could he want to do in and through us this fall, in our city? What could he do in and through you this fall, in your neighborhood or workplace?

In light of that, here are a handful of ways you can be praying for your church – Downtown Cornerstone – this fall:

#1 Leaders.

We need leaders. Leaders of teams. Leaders of communities. Leaders of ministries. Specifically, we need leaders who are disciple-making-disciples. A church can only grow up to the spiritual maturity and numerical capacity of its leadership. For us to grow, in both those ways, we need more reliable leaders – leaders who love Jesus, love Jesus’ people and want to live their lives in light of him. As you pray, be sure to thank the Father for your current leaders – and thank them too when you see them next.

#2 Spreaders.

We need spreaders. A spreader is someone who (surprise) spreads something – in our case, the gospel. Our Father has placed us in this city to serve as a movement of missionaries. We’re all spreading something. What are you spreading? Let’s ask the Father to sink the gospel into us and make us gracious, attractive, compelling spreaders of the great good news of Jesus. Some of you are really good at this – show the rest of us how you do it.

#3 Gatherers.

Gatherers are similar to spreaders, but they specialize in drawing people together. We need gatherers. Some of you are gatherers. We need more of you. Our city is in need of life in Jesus and the sad truth is that it doesn’t know it (yet). We need to draw them in to show them the rich, profound realities of who Jesus is and who/what God has created them to be. The need is so great I was shocked there were actually empty seats in our theater last Sunday – or any Sunday. Aren’t you? I think we might be one of the best kept secrets in Seattle.

#4 Cultivators.

We need cultivators. You know who you are. Cultivators are community-builders. Cultivators love people and know how to draw them out, make them feel welcomed, loved, needed – like family. We need you. God created you like that to be a community cultivator. Once the spreaders and gatherers have done their work, those who are new to our church community need a hand in getting started. Let’s pray for more cultivators.

#5 Givers.

Many of you have been responding faithfully. Our giving as a community is slowly improving and that is really encouraging – particularly because our giving is so closely connected to our discipleship of Jesus. Thank you to those who are giving reguarly, sacrificially and cheerfully. We are so close to being fully self-supporting as a church. It is such a gift to be able to give. As you know we just brought David Parker on staff full-time. It was a faith step for us as a young church to do that, but our advisory board urged us to do just that. That means that we, as a church, will be called on to continue to respond in faith together, in giving. I can’t wait until we’re self-supporting and can free up our external support to be directed to other church plants.

#6 Members.

We just wrapped up our membership series, so please be praying that the Father would move 70-80 people to covenant as members of Downtown Cornerstone Church. I hope that includes you too. I beleve we’re right around 20 as of right now. Please wrap up The City process and catch up on any missed series messages by the end of September. That way we can get your interview in by October 15 – our first members meeting. We’re really close to securing a super cool, super secret location for that celebration. Stay tuned!

#7 Movers.

We need folks to move downtown (and closer to the city). I always hesitate in writing or saying that as I know it is bound to create some tension in those who currently live outside of the city or love their current neighborhood. As I’ve always said, there will be no stink-eye for those that don’t live close to the city – ever – or for those that move out of the city. City Christians are not varsity Christians. There are no varsity Christians. We’ll have none of that. But, the tendency is to leave the city so we have to counteract that by calling people to the city. So, please pray for many to feel led to move into or near the core – or adopt a tribe that they love and build their ministry there. Be intentional wherever God would have you.

Praying expectantly with you all.

Baptism, Community, City Life, Photos

On Thursday, August 16th, 155 of us gathered at Lake Union Park to enjoy summer barbeque, our beautiful city and God’s great grace in baptism. Throughout the night we got to hear of Jesus’ real, active, transforming work in the lives of 12 brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ephesians 5:1,4 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world…But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him.”

Video coming soon. Stay tuned!