Community, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We believe our Heavenly Father answers prayer.

Though we’ve taken a break from posting prayer updates, we haven’t ceased to pray. Just the opposite. The winter was an important season for us as we transitioned to weekly Sunday worship gatherings, multiplied our communities, cultivated missional and ministry health and prepared to launch – which we did on Sunday, April 3rd. Our Father has been faithful every step of the way, providing people, leadership, finances and meetings spaces in his sovereign perfect timing.

What’s Next?

Now we’re moving into our next stage of development as we aim to roll out informal life-on-life discipleship group options, continue to focus on gospel intentionality (w/ an emphasis on evangelism), church partnership (aka membership), leadership development and more. But, amidst all this, our vision remains the same. We want to see the city, from the avenues to the alley ways, connected in real, vibrant, holistic, passionate faith to Christ – the God of this city.

You can read our last prayer update HERE. You can also receive email updates of new blog content by entering your email in the “Subscribe to Updates via Email” box in the right column.

Here are some snapshots of the last several months:

• Answered Prayer #1 (Launch Team) 
For months we’ve prayed for roughly 50 people to commit to partner in planting this new gospel work (aka Launch Team). We saw that happen, just in time for our public launch on April 3rd. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #2 (Worship Lead)
 Again, for months we’ve prayed for a worship leader to help lead our people in corporate song, build bands and work to create a sound that leads redeemed Seattlites in songs of praise to our King. Through several random events and chance encounters we witnessed God do just that in February. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #3 (Gathering Space)
Four days prior to the start of our weekly Sunday worship gatherings we discovered we would not be able to use the space we were counting on. By the grace of God we secured a perfect transitional meeting space in an old antique mall, next to the Underground Tour, in Pioneer Square. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #4 (Permanent Space)
But, the antique mall space was only available through March. So, we continued asking Jesus to give us a space that would be central, more visible (at least street level!), affordable and flexible. In March we signed an agreement with Court in the Square that fulfills our requests and more. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #5 (People who are not-yet-following Jesus)
This winter we also a dramatic increase in folks that do not yet follow Jesus starting to share life with us, ask questions, be honest, and become part of our community. One received Christ last month. We are working hard to create an culture where we’re inviting people into our lives, not just inviting them to events. It’s working. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #6 (Avenues to the alley-ways)
From the beginning, we believed Jesus was calling us to plant a church for those from the avenues to the alley-ways. Now we are watching Him move as he creates a diverse church from all walks of life, socioeconomic strata and backgrounds. It is one of my greatest joys to watch homeless men and executives worshipping Jesus together. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #7 (Networking)
I continue to meet as many people as I possibly can to learn about what God is already doing in Seattle. He’s already at work in the city, going before us, and we’re humbled to participate. I’ve met some great people and so far we’re experiencing favor in the city. One of the results is that we’re seeing people join us who have never participated in a church before. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #8 (April)
After many months of moving, vision casting, networking, praying, serving, planning and sharing the gospel we had a climatic April. On April 3rd we launched. The following week we were welcomed into the Acts 29 Network. Then, just two weeks later, we held our first-ever Good Friday/Easter gatherings. It has been an encouraging fruit-bearing month. Thank you, Jesus.

• Answered Prayer #9 (Family Update)
Amidst all of this, the Lord has been exceedingly gracious to the Sinnett family. In March we celebrated Macy‘s (2) and Carter’s (4) birthdays. In April we celebrated Jen’s birthday, along with the birth of our new baby girl, Ella Faith. Not only was Ella’s birth a miracle, Jen was not required to be on bed rest for any part of the pregnancy (as she was w/ Macy). Jen and Ella are doing great. We’ve also recently sold two cars and purchased another. As always, more than we can handle, but never more than He can. Thank you for your prayers for our family…and thank you, Jesus.

For the next quarter, please pray:

• We would continue to be a church marked by a deep love for Jesus, pouring out into mission.
• Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work – starting this summer.
• We’d experience favor in Seattle.
• All of our financial needs will be provided for. Praying we can be self-sustaining by the end of 2011.
• That Jesus-loving, talented musicians and artists would continue to join this work.
• Seattle would be loved, served, challenged and changed through the gospel.
• Many Gospel-centered Jesus-loving churches would be planted through DCC.
• Practically, that we’d have wisdom to lead, love, plan, rest and work well.

Thank you for your prayers and support!
Because the Tomb is Empty,

Pastor Adam

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

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.

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. It’s our hope and prayer that everyone who calls Downtown Cornerstone home will find such community.

Two New Communities Starting Next Week.

Next week we will plant two additional Cornerstone Communities, Pioneer Square (Tuesdays @ 6pm) and West Seattle (Thursdays @ 6pm). These will be in addition to our current communities that gather in the Denny Triangle (Tuesdays @ 6pm) and the Commercial Core (Thursdays @ 6pm). To get connected to one of these newly forming communities, email us at . To learn more about Cornerstone Communities, how to get involved and what to expect visit our COMMUNITY page.

Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Friday we remember Good Friday @ 7pm. It will be a paradoxical night; an unhappy celebration. It is a day of intense sadness mixed with intense gladness. It will be both uncomfortable and convicting as we reflect on the depth of our sin and the amazing love of our God who died for us.

Then, on Easter Sunday @ 10am, we’ll celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. In the words of Graeme Goldsworthy, “The resurrection was the Father’s ‘Amen’ to the finished work of Christ.”

In order to prepare your heart for this weekend, I encourage you to consider what is now true of you in Jesus – if indeed you do trust Him – in light of the events we celebrate this weekend. If not, he invites you to be reconciled to Him according to his rich mercy, lavish grace and great love. For all who turn from their lives of self-centeredness to Jesus are now…

…victorious over Satan, sin and death (1 Cor 15:57; 2 Cor 9:15; Rom 7:23-25; 2 Cor 2:14)
…adopted by God (Eph 1:5; Rom 8:15) as God’s children (Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 3:1,2).
…made friends of God (Jn 15:15) and saints (Eph. 1:1).
…complete (Col. 2:10).
…hidden with Jesus in God (Col. 3:3) .
…seated with him in the heavenly kingdom (Eph. 2:6).
…established, chosen and made holy (2Cor. 1:21-22).
…forever in the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39).
…free from any charges against you (Rom. 8:31-34).
…assured that all things work together for good (Rom. 8:28).
…forever free from being ruined (Rom. 8:1-2).
…saved from and forgiven of all your sins (Col. 1:14).
…able to go freely and confidently (Eph 3:12) to God the Father through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
…a recipient of grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:16).
…fully reconciled to God (2Cor 5:18)
…able to do all things through him who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13).
…bought with a price and belong to God (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and
…free from the devil (1John 5:18) with authority over him (Col 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3.8)
…at peace with God (Rom. 5:1)
…in one spirit with God (1 Cor. 6:17).
…God’s co-worker (2 Cor. 6:1; 1 Cor. 3:9), God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16) and personal witness (Acts 1:8).
…chosen to bear fruit (John 15:16) as a branch of the true Vine (John 15:1-5)
…a member of his body (1 Cor. 12:27; Rom 12).
…called to bring people together for God (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
…able to participate in his unfolding story of redemption (Mt. 28:18-20)
…sent as Jesus was sent (John 17:18).
…perfectly and completely loved. (Rom 5:7-8; Jn 3:16; Eph 1:7, 5:2, 5.25)
…no longer under God’s wrath (Gal 3:13; Rom 3:25; 1 Jn 4:10)
…declared “Not Guilty!” (Rom 5:9, 3:24, 3:28)
…reconciled to God and others. (Rom 5:10; 2 Cor 5:28; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20)
…entirely cleansed and forgiven. (Eph 1:7; Mt 26:28; Ps 103:12)
…free from the fear of death. (Heb 2:14-15)
…part of God’s people, the church. (Lk 9:23; Mt 10:38; Rev 5:9; Jn 10:16)
…free from slavery to sin (Rev 1:5-6; Heb 13:12)
…brought home to God (Rom 5:10; 1 Peter 3:18;  Eph 2:13; Rom 7:4; 1 Cor 6:19-20; Acts 20:28)
…declared 100% righteous (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 5:19; Phil 3:9)
…a recipient of eternal life…which is knowing him. (Jn 3.16; John 17:3)

We call this the Gospel. Good news, in fact world-altering, history-shaping, eternity-securing news, to people in great need of it.

Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Last week we received news that Downtown Cornerstone is officially a full-member of the Acts 29 Network. Acts 29 exists to train, resource, assess and network like-minded church planters around the world. You can read the interview with Pastor Adam HERE.

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“Acts 29 is seeking to get behind the men who are planting churches by:

• covenanting with them under the gospel
• training missional leaders formally and informally
• networking with men in different denominations and networks for the kingdom good of the city,
• resourcing planters with the tools they need to develop in a healthy manner
• multiplying the gospel through church-planting as a means to make disciples of all nations
• inspiring them as Spirit-empowered leaders, united with this gospel community of Acts 29 churches, on mission together for the glory of God.

Acts 29 is not a model or a style. We have classical church plants with a preacher and a congregation, we have video-delivered sermons, we have missional community models, replants, and existing churches that want to plant churches with us. We seek to be a movement of church-planting networks – that is, decentralized and empowered networks to lead men of all different types of churches in order to make disciples of all people groups.” (HT: Acts 29 Network)