Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Dear Seattle,

You are a smart, intense and creative people laden with sarcasm, skepticism and self-satisfaction. I know because I am one of you. I love our city. My family lives in the city. I actually like the rain. I drink coffee; probably too much. I’m an avid reader. I’m locally educated (Go Huskies) with multiple degrees. I like to think of myself as a politically involved, environmentally conscious, citizen but often do little about it. I love the outdoors. I like art, music and production as long as its creative, independent and original. I vote for home-grown over corporate any day. I’m a Seattlite.

“RELIGION NOT WELCOME HERE.”

As a Seattlite, I know that anything that remotely hints of “religion” is quickly placed in the margins. Seattle is a mecca for those retreating, avoiding, or ignoring Christianity, whether intentional or unintentional. We are an opinionated people and, in general, we are clear on where we stand with Jesus. Seattlites’ respond to Jesus in different ways, including: “I like Jesus, just not his followers”, “You can’t prove there is a God”, “All paths lead to the same destination”, “There is no life after death”, “What you believe is good for you and what I believe is good for me”, “I believe in science”, “I don’t believe in organized religion”, “I don’t believe in absolute truth”, “There is no single overarching meta-narrative” or “Who’s Jesus?”. We are generally a tolerant people as long as you believe a measure of something outlined above. In many ways, together these form a succinct belief set we could call “Seattle-ism”.

“WHAT IF YOU’RE WRONG?”

But, here’s my question – stick with me here – what if all of this is wrong? Maybe not entirely wrong, but mostly. What if all of these responses are built on false suppositions? Now, don’t check out. If you’re from Seattle, you’re already thinking, “So, what you’re implying is that you have a corner on the truth.” My aim here is to invite you into the conversation. What if you’re wrong? It’s an awkward question, for sure, but one we all have to ask ourselves, no matter what we believe. As Seattlites, we often let ourselves off the hook too early with a pithy semi-philosophical excuse and then move on to discussing the deplorable season the Mariners have had.

“YOUR HEART WILL NEVER BE AT REST UNTIL…”

You see, we’re created to be in relationship with God. We see echoes of this all around. Since our value, identity, worth and joy are not found in Him, where we’re created to find these things, we pursue these in everything and anything other than Him. We look for lasting value, ultimate meaning, rooted identity, and enduring worth in political candidates, particular ideologies, environmental concerns, achievement of wealth or fame, having a child or “just one more” child, finding a spouse or a different spouse, sports athletes or teams, our jobs or our much-hoped-for next job, meaningless hobbies, or the fulfillment of our goals. Even if we never attain that which we most long for, we still believe we will have that value, hope, and worth if we do. So, we press on. But, as Saint Augustine said nearly 2,000 years ago in his personal autobiography, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

“LET’S REASON TOGETHER.”

I write all of this, as a fellow Seattlite, to identify with you and invite you into this conversation, maybe over a beer and nachos, maybe on a Sunday or maybe in a chance encounter throughout the week. We’re planting a new Bible-believing, Jesus-loving, Christian church in downtown Seattle and you are invited to join, ask your questions, bring your imperfections and objections. We are all broken people. The Christian church is a people, not a building. Let’s reason together. This Jesus, this Christian faith, is reasonable. It doesn’t require you close your eyes or shut off your mind. Perhaps you’d be willing to explore these issues, and others, if there was a place of honest engagement, humble learning, intellectual struggle and grace-filled conversation. That place is among the people of Downtown Cornerstone.

“THE GOOD LIFE. NOW.”

I also invite you to more than this life can offer. There are better things available for you, a more certain comfort and long-lasting peace, that can ever be captured through the things of this world – no matter how good those things may be! This comfort may be enjoyed at all times, with certainty. This peace and rest may be enjoyed with reason. This comfort and peace is found through the Gospel. The Gospel is God’s free offer to forgive your sins through Jesus the Christ, all of your sins removed without a trace, buried in the depths of the sea, never to be found again, never to be counted against you – ever. Not only that, but through the Gospel, you become an object of God’s delight, are brought into God’s family, adopted as a son or daughter, learn that your name was written in heaven before the foundations of the world were formed, and a crown of glory. That’s why the Gospel means “good news”.

I hope you’ll accept this invitation.

“VISION SUNDAY. SEPT 26TH @ 5:00PM.”

Consider joining us on September 26th for our Vision Night as we take some time to unpack who Jesus is calling us to be and what he is asking us to do in this great city. If you’re not ready, we’ll be around.

For the love of this city and those who live here,
Pastor Adam

P.S. Nachos anyone?

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We’re three months in and God has been gracious to us. We’ve continued to grow our launch community, study the Gospel Centered Life and intentionally live out the gospel in the city. 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:

Time Away in the Woods (August 12-13 & 20-22)
We had the privilege to get away on two occasions this month together as a family. Once with some friends on an overnight camping trip with our, combined, four young children. It was refreshing and exhausting at the same time. Fortunately, everyone made it out alive. The following weekend we got to spend time with Jen’s family at Mt. Rainier, a long standing summer family tradition. They were short trips, but God used them to unite our family and clarify our thinking going into this next season.

First Thursday Art Walk, UGM volunteer training, Sazerac, and Something for Stephanie
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 the week (for community, mission, and service). It’s been an eventful month from participating in First Thursday in Pioneer Square to attending a volunteer training for the Union Gospel Mission (one of our elected strategic social partners in Center City) to happy hour at Sazerac to co-sponsoring Something for Stephanie, a benefit for a 13-year-old with cancer, a cousin of a member of our launch community. 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 to find out what’s happening this week.

The Privilege of Preaching (August 8th & 15th)
I was invited out to Emmaus Road (August 8th) and Anchor Church (August 15th) to fill the pulpit by Rich McCaskill and Andrew Pack, respectively. Both are area Acts 29 Network churches. It was a privilege and honor, not to mention fun. Members of the Downtown Cornerstone Launch Community were also able to join and offer support. I can’t wait to do the same downtown Seattle.

Building Community in the City
We’ve lived downtown for nearly a month and a half now. The cardboard boxes are slowly going away, we’re acclimating to a smaller place and are feeling right at home. Jen takes the kids out on daily adventures to the library, local parks and nearby markets. We’re also meeting lots of folks that call the city home, in and outside of our apartment complex, and are certain this is where God has called us to be.

A Miracle. Literally
Three months ago we were told we would never be able to have kids naturally again – ever. The physical tole of three lost babies (1 miscarriage and 2 ectopics) and two healthy ones seemed to culminate in an unfortunate diagnosis. After multiple tests, two different doctors told us the same thing – it would be impossible to have kids naturally going forward. We grieved and considered what’s next. We considered seeing a fertility specialist, but cancelled. I read Moore’s Adopted for Life (highly recommend). We continued to pray for wisdom, while getting rid of much of our baby stuff in a recent move. Then, two weeks ago, Jen had a positive pregnancy test. Yes, positive. Had the blood work – positive. We went to the doctor – positive. Had the ultrasound – positive. The doctors, techs and nurses don’t know what to say. We do, “Praise Jesus.” The tentative due date is April 15th. Will you join us in prayer for a healthy baby, pregnancy and mama?

New Vision, Video, Documents and Website
This past week we finalized many of our key pieces of vision collateral, including a flyer, prospectus, video and updated website. By themselves, they don’t mean much. Yet, they are valuable tools in casting vision, communicating our values and calling for commitment. After a lot of work and late nights, its great to see all of this come together. Big thanks to all who were involved. If you haven’t already, be sure to take a look. You can find them all here. We officially rolled these out last night, at Commitment Night.

Commitment Night (August 29th)
This past Sunday was, perhaps, one of the greatest highlights of the last three months as we invited everyone who has been been involved so far to officially commit to Downtown Cornerstone’s Launch Team. It was a beautiful night over a shared meal, stories of God’s goodness, prayer and song, vision of what the future holds, and an expressed shared commitment to see this new gospel work deeply rooted in the soil of Center City.

Wedding Anniversary (August 31st)
This month Jen and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary and our 10th year of knowing one another. I am married to a great woman who loves Jesus and helps me tangibly experience the grace of God on a daily basis. When we first met I told her, “I think God is calling me to be involved in urban ministry at some point, are you up for that?” She took some time to pray and responded, “Sounds good.” So, here we are. Thank you, Jesus.

Vision Sunday, September 26th. You’re invited.
Join us on Sunday, September 26th at 5:00pm, for an evening of celebration and vision. Whether you are a skeptic, friend, neighbor, coworker, or just plain curious, you are invited to join us as we share our vision for a new gospel work that Jesus is unfolding in downtown Seattle. This will be an opportunity to learn more, get connected, and find out how you can help. We’ll pray. We’ll sing. We’ll worship. Save the date. You can get more information here.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

For September, 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 more people to join his mission in the city.
• Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work.
• We’d have open doors and 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 to commit to joining us downtown by December.
• 100 people, outside the church, to pray for us daily.

The story continues…
For Jesus’ Fame in this City,
Pastor Adam

City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

 
Join us on Sunday September, 26th at 5:00pm for an evening of celebration and vision. Whether you are a skeptic, friend, neighbor, coworker, or just plain curious, you are invited to join us as we share our vision for a new gospel work that Jesus is unfolding in downtown Seattle.

This will be an opportunity to learn more, get connected, and find out how you can help. We’ll pray. We’ll sing. We’ll worship. We hope to see you there as we follow Jesus’ lead in planting Downtown Cornerstone Church in the heart of Seattle.

For the God of this City,
Pastor Adam

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

Location:

The Westin Building (Not the Westin Hotel)
2001 Sixth Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

Childcare:

Childcare will be available for children 6mo – 9yrs.

Community, City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Join us this Saturday, August 7th, for a double-header.

First, at 10:00AM we’re participating in the Union Gospel Mission’s Volunteer Orientation at their Youth Reach Out Center Theatre. This is an opportunity to learn more about the UGM, those they serve and how you can help. Downtown Cornerstone has adopted the UGM as a strategic social partner in the downtown core. We serve as we’ve been served by Christ.

Second, after taking a break for the afternoon, we will gather again at the Seattle Center for Movies at the Mural. We’re gathering at 6:00PM for community, food and games. The movie (The Princess Bride) begins at dusk. UPDATE: Because of the rain we are going to meet at the Holland’s for The Princess Bride at 7:30pm (901 8th Ave. #401 Seattle, WA 98104). Dinner on your own. Bring a snack/drink to share if you would like. We hope you can join us!

Community, City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Join us this Saturday evening, July 31st, for the Seafair Torchlight Parade. We’ll prep with a pre-parade BBQ, starting at 5:30pm. Please bring something to share. We’ll head downstairs at 7:00pm to take our seats and watch the show. The parade runs 7:30-9:00pm. Directions and RSVP here. If you read this, you’re invited.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Only two months ago, Tuesday May 25th, we held our first gathering in a 33rd floor conference room to cast vision for a new gospel work in the heart of downtown Seattle. Two months. Much has happened since and we want to keep you up-to-date. For everyone who has been praying for us and this new work – thank you! With the many social networking options available (blogs, Facebook, Twitter, email services, etc) it can be challenging to select “the one” that will reach the most people. We want as many people as possible praying for this new work, so I will be communicating regular prayer requests and updates through this blog. You can read the first 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:

Acts 29 Lead Pastor’s Retreat (June 21-24)
At the end of June, Jen and I were blessed to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to Vail, Colorado to meet with 200+ Acts 29 church planters and their wives for several days of rest, community, worship and teaching. It was a great gift given by the Acts 29 Network. We came back refreshed, encouraged and challenged. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Last Wedding (June 26)
Well, not exactly my last. Immediately upon returning from Vail I had the privilege of performing my last wedding as a part of Mars Hill Church for two dears friends. (It was bitter sweet as I’ve learned, matured, and participated with Mars Hill for over a decade. I’m forever grateful.) Congrats Clodfelters!

We Moved!
Feeling called to plant a church in downtown Seattle means, of course, that we must move downtown. That’s no small feat with a family, a home in West Seattle, and a city full of occupied high-priced apartments – all while raising financial support. God would need to show up. He did. In short order, we found long-term renters for our home in West Seattle (unfortunately, we must rent until the market turns), a great apartment opened up in the heart of the city, and many offered to financially support us. As of last weekend, we now live downtown albeit out of boxes.

New Sunday Gathering Place.
In June we began to meet together in the Westin Building. This month we made a shift to the Cobb building. This makes our gatherings more centrally located, easier to find, and more comfortable. You can read more HERE.

First Thursday, 4th of July party, Hope Place and Happy Hour.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 the week (for community, mission, and service). It’s been an eventful month from participating in First Thursday in Pioneer Square to throwing a roof-top Fourth of July party to hanging out at Cal Anderson via Molly Moons to serving at Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place. 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 to find out what’s happening this week.

Gospel Centered Life.
After spending the month of June walking through the vision, values and mission of Downtown Cornerstone we moved to studying The Gospel Centered Life together. We’re starting with the Gospel because it is the good news of the Gospel, applied by the Holy Spirit, that changes everything. We want this to be central to who we are as gospel people in the city. We’re just three weeks in, but its already bearing fruit. I recommend it for personal or community-oriented study.

Networking and Connecting.
I am devoting much of my time to meeting with business, community and church leaders in the city to ask a simple question, “What kind of church does Seattle need?” The responses have been fascinating. Be expecting a future blog post. As we begin this new work, our posture is one of humility. We want to learn from the city. We are not in the city to stand above the city (in judgment) or under the city (in fear) or to mirror the city (in surrender), but for the city (in love).

Family Health.
As though all of this is not enough, our baby girl (Macy) recently had a seizure. We’ve since learned that 50% of children who have a seizure never have another. Nonetheless, we’ve taken proper precautions (EEG, MRI) and are still awaiting results. Would you pray for Macy? I too managed to injure my knee, for which I am receiving physical therapy. This church planting gig is taking more of a physical toll than I anticipated.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

For August, please pray that:

• We would be a church marked by a deep love for Jesus.
• Jesus would continue to build his church by bringing more people to join his mission in the city.
• Many souls will be saved and lives transformed through this new gospel work.
• We’d have open doors and 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.

The story continues…

Desperately dependent but confident in Him,
Pastor Adam

Community, Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Thursday we’ll be practicing the art of stretching our dollar in community over great grub at Sazerac‘s Happy Hour, 5:00-7:00pm. Eats and drinks from $3. Join us for informal dialogue, laughter and community. No agenda, just good grub. If you read this, you’re invited.

“The church community, not some philosophical or theological system of thought, is God’s final revelation of the divine self as Christ existing in community.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Big news this week! As of this Sunday, July 18th, we will be changing our primary Sunday gathering location. We’re transitioning our physical meeting space from the Westin building to the Cobb building on the corner of 4th and University. We’ll continue to gather at 5:00pm Sunday evenings – now in the heart of the city. Someone will be at the front door to welcome you from 4:45pm to 5:15pm. Let us know if you’ll be arriving late.

We invite you to join us every Sunday at 5:00pm for vision-casting, Bible study, prayer, worship and community. Whether you’re a Christian or curious, agnostic or antagonistic we’d love to have you.

Downtown Cornerstone is a new church plant located in the heart of downtown Seattle. We exist to build a great city through the Gospel for the glory of God. Join us as we follow Jesus together. For more information email us at info(at)downtowncornerstone.org.

Community, City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Thursday, July 15th, we will be volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place, a resident and recovery program for homeless women and their children. We’ll meet from 5:45PM to 8:00PM in a common space to serve the children of mothers that call Hope Place home. Please bring a donation to help with the cost of supplies for the night. Join us or email info(at)downtowncornerstone.org for more information.

Union Gospel Mission: Hope Place
3802 South Othello Street
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 723-0767

Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for 1) the numerical growth of the Body of Christ in any city, and 2) the continual corporate renewal and revival of the existing churches in a city. Nothing else–not crusades, outreach programs, para-church ministries, growing mega-churches, congregational consulting, nor church renewal processes–will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting. This is an eyebrow raising statement. But to those who have done any study at all, it is not even controversial.
– Tim Keller, “Why Plant New Churches?” (article)

“Church planting? What exactly is that?”

Any way you slice it the idea of church planting is often either misunderstood or, literally, unheard of. The questions are many, including:

• Why plant (i.e. start) a new church in a city already filled with many other churches, some even growing?
  
• Why not focus instead on helping existing churches grow?
  
• Won’t starting a new church merely take people away from other churches?
  
• Shouldn’t we focus on cultivating better churches, rather than adding churches?

These are valid concerns that stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the complexities of revitalization, organizational life-cycles, demographic diversity, theological distinctions, leadership styles, evangelism, and general philosophies of ministry within existing churches. To put it simply, it’s more complicated than we may at first realize.

Therefore, to simplify it a bit, the following are seven guiding principles driving us to plant a new church in the heart of the city of Seattle.

#1. Jesus’ fundamental call was to plant Gospel-centered churches.

Matthew 28:18-20 is known as the “Great Commission” from Jesus to the Church. It is a commission to “make disciples”, “of all nations”, to “baptize”, and to “teach”. In other words, Jesus commissions his followers as a sent people; sent to all peoples, to invite them to become one of God’s people, that results in a changed people. It’s a commission to plant churches not merely isolated acts of sharing our faith. Even the act of baptism itself signifies “incorporation into a worshipping community with accountability and boundaries.” (1) (cf Acts 2:42-47) It is apparent the apostles interpreted Jesus’ words in this way as they immediately began to plant churches after Pentecost. (cf Acts 13f)

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