City Life, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

We want to see spiritual, social and cultural renewal take place in Seattle.

But, what does that actually look like? This is the first in a series of blogs that will answer that question. God’s ultimate aim is his glory (Mt 6:9, cf 1 Cor 10:31). And He makes his glory known through His kingdom (Mt 6:10a), which exists wherever He rules over human hearts submitted to Him by faith.  And His primary plan for making His invisible kingdom visible is through the Church (Mt 6:10b; Eph 3:10). And the Church receives power for this work through the Gospel (Mt 6:11;13; Rom 1:16). In other words, the glory of God is made known through the invisible kingdom being made visible through the Church, empowered by the Gospel. Therefore, seeking the spiritual, social and cultural renewal of Seattle is nothing more than making the invisible kingdom visible in every sphere of life.

What does a spiritually renewed Seattle look like?

Downtown Cornerstone is committed to building a great city, not just a great church.  Yet, these two are not opposed. A great church will build a great city. So, practically speaking, what does it look like to spiritually renew Seattle? Not through imperialistic, patronizing, holier-than-thou tactics; but through the faithful presence of Jesus’ followers in the city. What follows are some examples of what spiritual renewal will look like in Seattle. In a spiritually renewed Seattle:

• There is a clear and powerful proclamation of the Gospel of grace that spreads through the city that replaces religious legalism and irreligious liberalism.
• There are testimonies of changed lives known throughout the city.
• There is greater openness in Seattle to the claims of Jesus and the Gospel.
• There are churches being planted in every one of Seattle’s major neighborhoods – and planters sent out of Seattle to unreached peoples around the globe.
• There is revitalization and new life within existing, established churches.
• There is supernatural unity, cooperation and love within and between churches.
• There is a balanced outreach of word and deed is meeting the needs of the city.
• There is a sense that the Church would genuinely be missed should it no longer exist in Seattle.

This work is beyond the capacity of any single church, including Downtown Cornerstone. It’s for this reason that we don’t exist to merely see our church planted, but a movement of churches planted in Seattle and beyond. We invite you to join us as we embark on this impossible task, following the God of impossibilities (Eph 3:20-21).

Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Every January, without fail, the blogosphere is filled with lists and recommendations for books to read, things to do and places to go in the coming year. In order to avoid the new year blitz, I’ve waited until Febuary. There are still eleven months left in 2011, right? I regularly get asked, “What can I read to learn more about urban ministry?” There are many books on urban ministry. I propose the following list which addresses various areas important to cultivating a healthy newly forming urban church. It just so happens these correspond to what we most value.

Jesus

ESV Study Bible
Jesus Storybook Bible (kids 2+ years old)
The Rhyme Bible Storybook (kids 0-2 years old)

Gospel

The Gospel Centered Life (World Harvest)
The Prodigal God, Tim Keller

City

Theology as Big as the City, Ray Bakke
Cities of God, Rodney Stark

Church & Mission

Total Church, Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
Tangible Kingdom, Hugh Halter & Matt Smay

Renewal

Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller
Generous Justice, Tim Keller
You Can Change, Tim Chester
Culture Making, Andy Crouch

Multiplication

Church Planting Movements, David Garrison

City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

“Do I have to move downtown in order to partner with Downtown Cornerstone?” That’s a common question. The simple answer is, “No.” Our aim is to connect urban dwellers (approximately 60,000) and urban workers (approximately 250,000) to Christ. While many have moved downtown, others live anywhere from Auburn (South) to Lynnwood (North). What we all share is a common love for the city and for Jesus.

While we highly encourage you to consider moving in order to promote the faithful presence of Christ through his people in the urban core, it is not expected nor required. Whether you follow, are curious, or are skeptical of Jesus – and love Seattle – we invite you to join us in community or Sundays at 10:00AM downtown. Who knows? Maybe you’ll feel compelled to follow Jesus’ lead and partner with us in planting this church – maybe even move.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

I don’t know about you, but I love new beginnings.

This year is no different. As many of you know, we are a newly forming church in the downtown core of Seattle. We exist to build a great city through the gospel of Jesus for God’s glory. In other words, we love Seattle and not only want to build a great church, but a great city. As we enter into 2011 we’re entering into a new season as a church plant. This is an important stretch as we make final preparations for a healthy launch, while avoiding a premature birth. There is a lot happening and I can’t wait to see how our Great King moves.

Grace in 2010

Jesus has been gracious to us from drawing people, to providing design, to offering web help, to moving many to fund this new work, to finding space(s) for us to gather in and more – He has provided for His people. It was only several months ago we hosted a dinner to celebrate the first 15 people to commit to the Downtown Cornerstone Launch Team; now, we have nearly 40. Only last month we were meeting in a conference room of a highly secured building; as of last week we are on the ground in the middle of Pioneer Square. Only last week, we were gathering as one community; as of this week we are multiplying for the first time (with two more on the horizon). Jesus is building his church.

“The Last Trimester”

At times the process of church planting is compared to pregnancy. As of this past Sunday, Downtown Cornerstone is in the last trimester of planting (coincidentally – or maybe not – the Sinnett family is also entering into our last trimester with a baby girl due in April). We’re public, but we’re still getting things figured out. We’re taking this winter to (1) ensure missional and ministry health, (2) multiply communities and (3) grow our Launch Team (see below). That means our Sunday gatherings won’t be perfect, but our God will be – week after week. If you notice a hole, it’s there for you to fill. Thank you.

Weekly Sunday Gatherings

Beginning on January 16th we began a new weekly series examining who Jesus claims to be. We’re starting with Who Jesus Is because if Jesus is who he said he was that changes everything for us today – and forever. You can learn more about the new series HERE. You can learn more about our new, but temporary, space in the Pioneer building (600 1st Ave) HERE.

Cornerstone Communities

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. To learn more or to join a Cornerstone Community go HERE.

Launch Team

A “church” is a group of people; not a place or building.  Therefore, because a church is a people, churches are planted by groups of people; not solitary, isolated pastors. We call that group of people the Launch Team. Church planting is not easy. True to its name, church planting is much like planting a field for harvest, requiring substantial preparation, inordinate patience and supernatural perseverance. It is thrilling, yet daunting. Yet, the glorious harvest is well worth the pain, heartache and challenge endured along the way. We encourage you to prayerfully consider joining the Launch Team. God calls particular people, not all people, and each one of us must decide through prayer, sober-assessment and wise counsel whether this is the right move. The importance of the initial launch team cannot be understated. In subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways this group will determine the culture of Downtown Cornerstone for years to come. Our hope, this winter, is to grow our launch team to 50-75 people and prepare for a launch celebration on Sunday, April 3rd.

It’s an exciting season. Let’s continue to ask God to do what only He can do in 2011. I pray that “as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 4:15)