News, Teaching

Church planting is hard.

We need all the help we can get. The Launch Documents are a compilation of the various resources we created, synthesized or adapted during the Launch Community development phase (June-Dec 2010) of Downtown Cornerstone Church (DCC). Some of you will remember these! We formatted them for clarity and unity, but otherwise they were left untouched. Original sources are notated throughout, though admittedly there may be exceptions. Honestly, I can’t remember. We never planned to compile them. It’s messy…just like church planting.

Three Groups.

First, for those that are new to DCC who would like to better understand where we’ve been as a newly forming church. Second, for those that have been a part of DCC from the beginning who need a refresher. Third, for those that are planting a church (or involved in a church plant) and are looking for a resource on how to cultivate their initial launch community. This is not the way to do it, but it is how we did it. It looks polished and put together, but that’s not how it felt when we were in the thick of it.

Our timeline.

MAY ’10 We began with an initial prayer gathering which marked the start of our launch team recruitment and development. From there, we met every Sunday night and engaged the community on some level during the week (Happy Hours, service opportunities, city events, etc).

JUNE We took the first month (June) to discuss and debate our vision, mission and values (pp 5-22).

JULY-SEPT Then, we transitioned into a three month (July-Sept) study through the Gospel-Centered Life material from World Harvest Mission. This was crucial in setting a gospel-centered trajectory. We supplemented this material with tangible ways to live out our vision as a newly forming church (pp 23-26).

FALL ’10 In the fall of 2010 we held four preview gatherings. The first of these was a vision night for friends, family, neighbors, coworkers or anyone who was remotely interested in joining or supporting this work. We explored our core values over the course of the next three preview gatherings. We continued to meet as a launch community on the Sunday evenings in between. I also created a study that merged elements of Total Church, Tangible Kingdom and Gospel in Life (pp 27-66). After the “Loving the City to Life” material (pp 67-76) we transitioned into the next season.

JAN ’11 In January we went into “soft launch” mode with weekly Sunday semi-public gatherings in the AM.

APRIL On April 4th we marked our birth as a newly forming church in the heart of downtown Seattle.

Cultivate your first love.

Jesus gave us Great Commandments (Mat 22:36-40) and a Great Commission (Mat 28:18-20). Amidst the great joys and tribulations of planting, if you cultivate a vibrant relationship with Jesus, grow in community and mix-it up with non-Christians you’ll do well – and you and the city will be the better for it, no matter the outcome. Love God. Love people. Make disciples.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20

 
For Jesus’ Fame,
Pastor Adam

Community, News

This week we are planting two new Cornerstone Communities. Today we’d like to introduce you to the lead as well as the host of the new Wallingford Community:

EDWARD SUMNER

What are you most excited about leading/ launching this community?
“I am most excited about growing in Christ, growing in Community, and engaging the culture with the Gospel in a way that is relevant and relational. There are many untrue paradigms in Seattle about what it means to be Christian and I’m excited about being part of the mission to undo them. I’m excited to be part of God’s story and to see it unfold.”

What do you love about community?
“Community is a place that I can be honest, transparent, known, and loved. I am grateful that I don’t have to polish myself up, say the right things, or get it all together before I show up. There are not many places or contexts in life when we can be fully ourselves and yet fully accepted, and Gospel centered community is that exception. I love that.”

What do you like to do for fun around the city?
“My daughter Brooke and I love to keep our feet moving these days and especially dig the zoo and walking most city sidewalks. Open grass fields, swings, slides, and forest trails to practice her hobbit skills are our hotspots away from the city.”

LEAH DANKERTSON

What are you most excited about hosting this community?
“God totally blessed me in leading me to this house and my roommates and am so excited to extend that not only to the folks at DCC, but to the neighbors, co-workers, and friends that we will meet and will join our community in the weeks and months to come! I’m eager for it to be a place that sees lots of laughter over meals, victory dances at game nights, strangers becoming friends, big bold prayer, and hearts healed and redeemed by Jesus.”

What do you love about community?
“Community is truly a gift. We all want to be seen and known and heard – even your most die-hard introverts long for this deep down – and God’s given us other people, to love us, hear us, see us, challenge us, rub us the wrong way, encourage our faith, and point us in the right direction…to the gospel.”

What do you like to do for fun around the city?
“When not waiting for or riding the bus, you can find me hanging out at a local coffeehouse (Zoka, Fremont Coffee Co. & Stumptown are personal faves), exploring surrounding neighborhoods with my camera, walking/running Greenlake, or trying out a new food truck or foodie craze.”

From beginning to end, God’s aim is to glorify Himself through a people He is calling out from all tribes of the world and all neighborhoods of Seattle through the gospel. He calls this community of people the church.

The Wallingford Community will be meeting regularly on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, in addition to our current communities that gather in the Denny Triangle, Commercial Core, Pioneer Square, West Seattle and Capitol Hill. To get connected to this newly forming community, email . To learn more about the other Cornerstone Communities please visit our Community page.

News

Spread the word: There is a Seahawks home game this Sunday, November 13th so parking will be an issue. If you are planning to join us for our Sunday gathering, we recommend arriving early to help set-up, enjoying breakfast in Pioneer Square, or carpooling. Also, try parking on Yesler in between 2nd Ave & I-5, under the viaduct, or in the International District, all of which are just a short walk away from Court in the Square.

For more info about our Sunday gatherings, go here.

Community, News

This coming week we are planting two new Cornerstone Communities. Today we’d like to introduce you to the lead/host of the new Capitol Hill Community:

PIERCE & BONNIE MARTIN

What are you most excited about leading/ launching this community?
“We’re excited to be part of what the Lord is doing through DCC and the opportunity to see the Gospel spread on Capitol Hill! We’re also just big fans of the neighborhood in general. We love the diversity of people, culture, and all of the cool places to hang out (especially the ones we haven’t been to yet).”

What do you love about community?
“It’s definitely being part of a family, getting to know and walk with people and being known by them. It’s amazing and humbling to see what God can do with a small bunch of very imperfect people. It’s fun, sometimes awkward, and ultimately encouraging to see God’s story unfolded among his people.”

What do you like to do for fun around the city or in your hood?
“There’s not a lot that we don’t like to do. If you’re looking for us on Capitol Hill, your best bets are: a coffee shop, book store, Cal Anderson Park (especially the tennis courts), or any intriguing looking dining establishments. You also might spot us at a concert or two, Bonnie at a vintage clothing store, and me thumbing through records in any nearby music store.”

From beginning to end, God’s aim is to glorify Himself through a people He is calling out from all tribes of the world and all neighborhoods of Seattle through the gospel. He calls this community of people the church.

This Monday at 6:00pm the Capitol Hill Community will begin meeting regularly, in addition to our current communities that gather in the Denny Triangle, Commercial Core, Pioneer Square and West Seattle. To get connected to this newly forming community, email . To learn more about the other Cornerstone Communities please visit our Community page.

News, Uncategorized

This month, our Prayer & Vision Night will occur on the third week of the month rather than the fourth due to Thanksgiving! Please join us at the Westin Building (6th & Virginia) on Thursday, November 17th @ 6:30pm, as we gather together for an evening of prayer, vision and worship. This event will occur in lieu of our normal weekly community rhythm, and will be an opportunity to go before our Father, asking Him to do what only He can do.

What will we do?

VISION: We’ll talk about where we are and where, by God’s grace, we are going.
WORSHIP: We’ll sing to the King.
PRAY: Most importantly, we’ll pray, asking God to do what only He can do.

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven…’” (Mat 6:9)
“Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Mat 9:38)
“…that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Lk 18:1)

News, Uncategorized

This Sunday, November 6th Daylight Savings will end, so don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour earlier (if it doesn’t automatically update) so you can arrive to the Sunday gathering on time. Please take note and spread the word.

News

Parking warning! There is a Seahawks home game next Sunday, October 30th. If you are planning to join us for our Sunday gathering, we recommend arriving early to help set-up, enjoying breakfast in Pioneer Square, or carpooling. Also, try parking on Yesler in between 2nd Ave & I-5, under the viaduct, or in the International District, all of which are just a short walk away from Court in the Square. Please take note and spread the word.

For more info about our Sunday gatherings, go here.