Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Over the last six months I’ve spent considerable time in the city, speaking with neighbors, baristas, Real Change-sellers, grocery store clerks, artists, street musicians, lawyers, other pastors, and business professionals. One question that I nearly always ask in some form is, “What do you think are the primary obstacles to the Christian Church in Seattle?” It has been a fascinating exercise and deeply telling. One of the more interesting observations is that Christians tend to blame “secularism” or “postmodernism” for the decline of the Church, while those who don’t follow Christ tend to blame Christians themselves. Therefore, in light of this, I’ve compiled the following list of the top ten obstacles to the Christian Church in Seattle, according to my unofficial poll of Seattle. I’m using “Church” in its broadest meaning. Nothing surprising here, unfortunately.

“The Christian Church is ___________.”

#1 Hypocritical.

This was, by far, the top response. Seattle seems to have noted an observable disconnect between belief and the behavior of the Church. The inconsistency leads many to dismiss the Church.

#2 Irrelevant.

The Church is also seen as irrelevant, having little to do with the rest of life. The Church and its beliefs are seen as having little connection with the every day; though there may be some value for the life to come. Generally speaking, the Church is not cool.

#3 Self-righteous.

Many noted the self-righteous flavor of the Church and those within. There is a perception that the Church positions itself as morally and spiritually superior, and in so doing deepens the irrelevance noted above.

#4 Judgmental.

Relatedly, many feel judged by the Church and therefore unwelcome. I’ve met no one who claims sinlessness. Most clearly understand their sin, yet the perceived judgment from the Church makes it an unlikely place to go for relief from their guilt.

#5 Unloving.

Some noted they felt the Church was cold, sterile, unloving and more concerned with its own self-preservation than genuinely and sacrificially loving the city.  Many felt they need to belong to the Church in order to be loved by the Church.

#6 Unfriendly.

Similar to above, the Church was also described as unfriendly. Those who are part of the Church seem to devote the majority of their time to the Church, leaving little time for others who are not.

#7 Unsympathetic.

The Church is also described as being unsympathetic to the real, genuine struggles of people. The Church is viewed as having quick, superficial answers, but fails to genuinely relate to where people are.

#8 Boring.

Because of its irrelevance, self-righteousness and general lack of friendliness the Church is also seen as boring. The Church is not viewed as a place of joy, vibrancy and life.

#9 Impractical.

The idea of Church is seen as irrelevant because it is viewed as impractical. The teaching and life of the Church is seen as being of little practical use.  Some mentioned that while what the Church believes may be true, it doesn’t appear to work (see point #1).

#10 Enslaving.

Some noted that the Church is enslaving with all of its rules and regulations, rather than freeing and liberating. Many viewed the Church as restrictive and life-taking, rather than life-giving.

Summary.

Together, these form a substantial obstacle to the idea of “Church” in Seattle. Its no wonder Seattle has become a refuge for those seeking to escape it. Whether or not these are misconceptions or excuses, we should view them as genuine obstacles that must be addressed, repented of and deconstructed. The Church described above is not the Church Jesus came to establish. During his earthly ministry, Jesus was “accused” of being a friend of sinners. The moral and spiritual outcast enjoyed his presence, even though he had hard things to say. If we’re following the Jesus of the Bible, this must increasingly become true of us. The Church of Jesus Christ is intended to be a people dedicated to truth and grace, holiness and mercy, creativity and beauty, service and sacrifice, love and joy, passion and relevance (after all, Jesus is reality (Col 1:15-20).

Our hope, as Downtown Cornerstone, is to be part of changing this tide in Seattle for His glory, our ultimate joy and the good of this city. Would you like to join us?

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This fall Downtown Cornerstone is hosting three preview gatherings that form a mini-series, “The City of God”, in which we’ll unpack our core values as a newly forming church in the downtown core of Seattle. You can learn more here. Some have asked, “Why have preview gatherings? Why not just start services?” Those are good questions. The reasons behind this particular strategy are as follows:

First, offering weekly Sunday gatherings requires substantial time, coordination and resources. By offering monthly gatherings we are freed to focus our primary energy on multiplying communities, continuing to build relationships in the city and raising necessary funding.

Second, monthly gatherings allow others to drop-in, learn more about what we’re doing, and consider joining us at the ground level. We’re still in the formative stages as a church, and monthly gatherings will give us an additional channel by which to grow the Downtown Cornerstone launch community.

Third, monthly gatherings will allow us to introduce a new rhythm of gathering corporately into our church life, while also working out inevitable production rough spots. We believe in centrality of the corporate gathering and the power of the preached word.

Fourth, we are not quite ready. If we were to go to a weekly gathering format now, many of our people would be tied up volunteering and unable to participate. This would inevitably lead to burn out and compromise the mission.

Fifth, we know that many folks may not be comfortable joining us in community but would be comfortable joining us in a more public setting. We want to connect with all people of the city.

Sixth, we’re holding all of this very loosely. We are praying and planning to a weekly gathering format by mid-January, but may maintain our monthly gatherings should certain benchmarks not be met.

To be honest, this is much less about strategy than giving this young church ample time to take shape and live on mission with Jesus in the city.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who call you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

We hope you’ll join us as we continue to follow Jesus in building a great city through the gospel for the glory of God, beginning this Sunday (Oct 24th) at 5:00pm. More information here.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We previously announced that Acts 29 Coffee has chosen Downtown Cornerstone as one of the first church plants they will be supporting in the Northwest. Acts 29 Coffee has now become 29 Coffee. Same coffee, same idea, different name. They offer high-quality, premium roasts at discounted rates on a subscription basis. Every pound of coffee purchased supports the planting of this new gospel work in the heart of Seattle. Whether you’re thinking of your own household or your church, you can do what you’re already doing (i.e. drinking coffee) and now plant churches at the same time. If you’d like to give directly to Downtown Cornerstone you can do that HERE. Thank you!

Community, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We are four months into this gospel project. This monthly update is coming a little late, but I still want to fill you in on all that happened throughout September. It is incredible to think of everything Jesus has empowered us to accomplish in so little time. We are humbled and excited. September was an important month and a turning point for us. As we’ve done from the start, we focused on cultivating our launch community, wrapped up our study of the Gospel Centered Life and continued to live with gospel intentionality in the city. Some have moved downtown. Others have changed jobs. It has been exhausting and encouraging. To those who have been praying for us: Thank You! If you’re just jumping on board, welcome. 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 past month:

Official sending by Mars Hill and Acts 29. Sept 19th.
On Sunday, September 19th, Mars Hill Church (via Pastor Steve Tompkins) and the Acts 29 Network (via Pastor Scott Thomas) officially sent us to plant this new gospel work in the heart of downtown Seattle by laying hands and praying over me. The act of laying hands on those being sent on a mission is a sign of approval, support, release and blessing. It’s also symbolic of the nearness and presence of the Holy Spirit who empowers, leads and supports the Jesus’ mission through the church. I am humbled and honored to be simultaneously sent from Mars Hill Church and Acts 29 Network. You can read the original planting announcement (April 2010) posted by Mars Hill Church here.

Vision Sunday, September 26th.
Of course, the highlight of the month was our vision/info gathering we held on September 26th. The purpose of the event was simple: gather skeptics, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or the curious together and share our vision for a new work that Jesus is unfolding. Jesus was gracious to us, giving us a free gathering space, borrowed gear and chairs, and a worship leader just five days before the event (!) We had a great turnout, generous offers of prayer/financial support, and a handful who expressed interest in giving their lives to seeing this church planted.

Acts 29 Boot Camp. Sept 29th & 30th.
The big national Acts 29 Boot Camp in Seattle was held the week following our vision gathering. We had seven guys from Downtown Cornerstone attend, some of which hope to plant a church some day. It was a great time of teaching, praying, and applying what we learned to our immediate context. If you’re not familiar with Acts 29, visit them here at their website. We’ve benefited greatly from being networked, resourced and equipped alongside like-minded churches around the country.

First Thursday Art Walk, Sazerac, and Prayer
Since we first started meeting we’ve had a two-fold strategy that consists of gathering on Sundays (for vision, prayer and worship) and connecting during/throughout the week (for community, mission, and service). It’s been an eventful month from participating in First Thursday at the Seattle Art Museum to happy hour at Sazerac to taking an evening to pray for our city These times have helped shape us as a newly forming community, while providing many opportunities to invite people in. Follow us here at the blog, under events, to find out what’s happening this week.

Two Couples from Brazil.
Back in May I went to Brazil to help with the first Acts 29 Church Planting Foundations conference there. While visiting, I met two couples: Josh & Analice Block and Giulian & Christy Giusti. As God’s providence would have it, Josh and Analice are now in Seattle considering becoming part of Downtown Cornerstone. On top of that, Giulian and Christy flew up and spent a week with us as they too considered whether or not to move to Seattle. They called yesterday to inform me they are! We’re excited to welcome them to the team. I never thought I’d be recruiting for our launch community in Brazil. God works in mysterious ways.

Relationships and Networking.
I’ve been on a networking tear meeting with anyone who loves the city that will talk to me: Christians, not-yet-Christians, businessmen, locals, transplants, friends, baristas, bartenders, grocery store clerks and many neighbors. It has been a joy to be on mission in the city. We feel at home and that we’re supposed to be here. Though critical questions about what we’re doing inevitably arise, we’ve been accepted with Seattle caution. These have been great opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ.

This Fall: The City of God (life as it should, and one day will, be)
This fall we’re going to have three preview gatherings (10/24, 11/21, 12/19) as we unpack “The City of God“ through which we’ll examine what it means to be a people, rescued by the grace of Jesus, who are sent to love, serve, and challenge this city by pointing all who will hear to the God of the city to come. We want to leverage these larger, public gatherings to invite others in, build our communities, continue fundraising and networking, and work on ironing out our production/logistic wrinkles. We hope to build enough momentum through the fall to go to a weekly public gathering format in January.

Family Update
We’ve lived downtown for nearly two months now and are beginning to settle in. Jen and the kids are adapting to our smaller space and feeling right at home. The cardboard boxes are gone – almost. We’ve begun to meet many people in our apartment complex who we’ve already grown to love and befriend. We’ve  managed to be consistent with our family days, visiting the Puyallup Fair and spending considerable time adventuring around Seattle. We hosted numerous friends and family from across the US. I wrapped up physical therapy on my knee. Best of all, Jen is doing well with the pregnancy. There are, miraculously, no complications. Please pray there will be no bed rest required with this pregnancy as there was with Macy. The due date is April 15th!

For October, please pray that:

• We would continue to be a church marked by a deep love for Jesus.
• Jesus would continue to build his church by bringing 100 people to join his mission by December.
• Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work.
• We’d experience favor in Seattle.
• All of our financial needs will be provided for.
• Jesus-loving, talented musicians and artists will join this work (!)
• A central, strategic, well-known, yet inexpensive, gathering location for us would open up (!)
• Seattle would be loved, served, challenged and changed through the gospel.
• Many Gospel-centered Jesus-loving churches would be planted.
• 100 people, outside the church, to pray for us daily.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

The story continues…
In Christ Alone,
Pastor Adam

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The city is a creation of God, not an invention of man. The city is intended by God to be a place of safety, justice, culture-making, and spiritual seeking. Yet, under sin, it is a place of violence, lawbreaking, pride, and religious pluralism. God intends to fix this.

The world to come is pictured as a perfect city. (Rev 21:1) It is a city in which God is at the center and life is as it should be with no suffering, no tears, and no sin. It is a city of equality, justice, and beauty, centered around Jesus Christ. It is a city where God is with God’s people in God’s place forever. If we’re honest, this is the city we all want and it begins now, in part.

God is already at work creating this new city in our midst by redeeming, forgiving and adopting people by faith in Jesus Christ. Together these people form a new society, an alternate city, a church of broken people rescued by grace. Together, these followers of Jesus are intended by God to serve as a foretaste of the world that is to come, to bring the City of God into the City of Man, by showing the world what life should, and one day will, look like.

JOIN US THIS FALL.

Join us this fall at three preview gatherings as we unpack “The City of God“, examining what it means to be a people rescued by the grace of Jesus who are sent to love, serve, and challenge this city, pointing all who will hear to the God of the city to come.

WHERE:

The Westin Building (note: not the hotel)
2001 Sixth Ave, 33rd floor
Seattle, WA 98121

WHEN:

Sunday, October 24th @ 5pm, “Jesus and the Gospel”
Sunday, November 21st @ 5pm, “The Church and the City”
Sunday, December 19th @ 5pm, “Mission, Renewal & Multiplication”

PARKING:

Parking downtown is free on Sundays, so there is no cost to park. However, do leave allow additional travel time to secure a parking spot on the street.

IS CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PROVIDED?

Yes, Cornerstone Kids will be provided for kids 6 months to 9 years old.

MORE INFO:

For more information on this evening or the preview gatherings through the fall, visit https://www.downtowncornerstone.org/city-of-god/ or email: info (at) downtowncornerstone.org

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

On Sunday, September 19th, Mars Hill Church (via Pastor Steve Tompkins) and the Acts 29 Network (via Pastor Scott Thomas) officially sent us to plant this new gospel work in the heart of downtown Seattle. This is much more than a general church planting procedure. Rather, it’s a spiritual practice deeply rooted in the scriptures. In Acts 13, for example, after prayer and fasting the church at Antioch laid hands on Paul and Barnabas to officially send them on their first missionary journey. Acts 13:2-3 records this event as follows, “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” The act of laying hands on those being sent on a mission is a sign of approval, support, release and blessing. It’s also symbolic of the nearness and presence of the Holy Spirit who empowers, leads and supports the Jesus’ mission through the church. I am humbled and honored to be simultaneously sent from Mars Hill Church and Acts 29 Network. You can read the original planting announcement (April 2010) posted by Mars Hill Church here.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This past Sunday we hosted a vision gathering to let friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers know what God is doing in downtown Seattle through Downtown Cornerstone. Its purpose was simple: to share the story of how we got here and where we believe Jesus is leading us from here. It was a great night filled with encouraging support, worshipful song, a beautiful setting, and generous giving. There were many who expressed interest in learning more about joining our work downtown. Thank you, Jesus. It is amazing how much effort is required to tell others what we’re going to do. Now its time to do it. The mission continues. We’ll be rolling out more information regarding our plans for this fall shortly. Stay tuned.

Would you like to learn more about joining us? Email us at info (at) downtowncornerstone.org.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Sunday Downtown Cornerstone is hosting a night of vision. This gathering is for skeptics, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and those of you who are just plain curious. This will be an opportunity to learn more, get connected, and find out how you can support us. We’ll pray, we’ll sing and I’ll share the story of how we’ve come this far and where we believe Jesus is leading us going forward.

Where?
Westin Building
2001 6th Avenue, 33rd floor
Seattle, WA 98121

When?
5:00pm.

Where do I park?
Parking downtown is free on Sundays, so there is no cost to park. However, do leave allow additional travel time to secure a parking spot on the street.

Is children’s ministry provided?
Yes, Cornerstone Kids will be provided for kids 6 months to 9 years old. Parents, please RSVP here. Please let us know if you’d be open or interested in volunteering to help with the children by emailing alan (at) downtowncornerstone (dot) org.

When will the next Sunday gatherings happen?
We are planning to hold three additional preview gatherings throughout the fall on October 24th, November 21st and December 19th. Each of these will be held at the same venue, the Westin building, at 5:00pm. In between we’ll continue to meet weekly in community on Sunday evenings @ 5pm at the Cobb Building (corner of 4th & University) to pray, study the Bible, cast vision and consider who Jesus is calling us to be in this great city. Our hope is to multiply to three communities over the fall.

This isn’t our “launch” Sunday, as we don’t plan to move to a weekly gathering format until January 2011, but it is an important gathering to convey who we are, what we value, the mission we’re on and invite everyone to participate in some way, whether through prayer, financial support or joining us downtown. Therefore, I invite you to join us as we share our vision for a new gospel work – a church – that Jesus is unfolding in downtown Seattle.

Because the Tomb is Empty,
Pastor Adam

Note: For more information on the vision of Downtown Cornerstone Church, check out the full Vision.

Community, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The Puritans had a practice of thinking through the various types of people that formed their church or visited during a Sunday gathering. In Perkins’ The Arte of Prophecying (i.e. preaching) he states that any given congregation is generally comprised of…

“[1] the ignorant and unteachable, who needed the equivalent of a bomb under their seats; [2] the ignorant but teachable, who needed orderly instruction in what Christianity is all about; [3] the knowledgeable but unhumbled, who needed to be given a sense of sin; [4] the humbled and desperate, who need to be grounded in the gospel; [5] believers going on with God, who needed building up; and [6] believers who had fallen into error, intellectual or moral, and needed correction.” J.I. Packer, A Quest for Godliness, p286

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

This type of intentional thinking is also needed when inviting others to participate in the planting of a new church. It can be easy to assume that being on the launch team/community of a new church plant should be left to mature, stable, devoted Christians who are serious about their faith and Jesus’ mission. That may be every church planter’s dream, but I have yet to meet a church planter that has a launch team where that is the case. Even more, this can leave others that don’t fit into this category on the fringes not feeling able, qualified or wanted.

ARE YOU NEW TO THE FAITH?

On the other hand, many planters hold to the position that the initial launch community should be comprised of mostly new converts and non-believers. We see this in Paul’s ministry in the Book of Acts. He enters a city, proclaims the gospel, people believe, and a church is formed. This opens up wide networks of friends that have yet to meet Jesus. It also creates a strong missional dynamic into the DNA of the church from the very beginning that is hard to build in later. Yet, Paul rarely worked alone, sometimes he left co-workers behind, and at other times he sent others out in advance of his arrival. Our context is also different today. What do we do about the Christians who are not connected to a church, part of a dying church, or feel called to step out in faith to be part of a new church?

MAKING DISCIPLES.

The mission of the church is to make disciples (i.e. followers of Jesus), which not only includes moving people to initial faith in Jesus (salvation) but through a life of continued faith in Jesus (sanctification). It includes coming alongside non-Christians, young Christians and maturing Christians and pointing each to Jesus as individually needed. That means a young church, such as our own, should reflect the body of Christ in all its diversity, in all levels of maturity, while embracing the guaranteed messiness that results.

FIVE TYPES OF PEOPLE.

I propose the following five types of people every church plant needs, including our own:

#1 Growing, mature Christians.

Every church plant needs a number of growing and maturing Christians to help set the pace, disciple others, and lead the mission through life and ministry.

#2 Young, teachable Christians.

New and young Christians that are part of a church plant show that the Gospel is at work and mission is taking place. New faith is contagious for everyone. New and young Christians also tend to have more friends who don’t know Jesus.

#3 Humble, honest Onlookers.

The presence of humble and honest onlookers reflects that the church, as a whole, is engaged in the community, building relationships, living out the gospel and inviting others into experience the gospel in community.

#4 Curious, questioning Doubters.

The presence of curious, questioning doubters says the same thing. Those who are doubters, though involved, are saying “I have questions, but this community of faith is compelling.” This is a great sign of missional health.

#5 Hardened, hating Unbelievers.

While the hard and hating may not actively participate in the life of a new church plant, those that do should still be pursuing them. The goal is not to merely get people into the church, but to invite them into our lives. A new plant is regularly praying for those that fall into this category, thus they become part of the life of the community.

WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE DOES A CHURCH PLANT NEED?

Anyone and everyone – but aim for diversity. Obviously, we can do without the drama of heretics, sin, wayward leaders and the like, but God uses even these people to shape and mold His people into His image, in their context. I find this is a simple, yet helpful grid for determining the health, faith and mission of our church.

“The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable…” 1 Cor 12:22

Want to get involved?

You can start by joining us on Sept 26th for our Vision Night where we’ll take some time to unpack who Jesus is calling us to be and what he is asking us to do in this great city.