City Life | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

To be honest, I’m indifferent about Halloween. On the one hand, costumes and candy are part of God’s common grace extended to all people to be enjoyed. (Who, after all, would be quick to turn down a roll of Smarties?) Its also one of the few holidays where people actually visit your home (albeit dressed as zombies) without any effort on your part. It’s a creative, relational and tasty holiday.

But, like anything, it has a darker side. It can glorify evil, promote drunkenness and relativize that which is meant to be frightening (e.g. Satan). It also eclipses Reformation Day, the exact day which marks Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 theses to the castle door in Wittenburg, thus launching the Reformation and the recapturing of the gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e. salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone).

When it comes to Halloween, Christians have long fallen on both sides of the fence. Its history is long, complex and uncertain with pagan, Catholic, and recent American roots. Its difficult to pinpoint any one single source of this over-commercialized holiday, let alone a general consensus as to what it actually means.

So what do we do with it?

#1 Don’t violate your conscience. (1 Tim 1:19; Heb 13:18) Depending on your upbringing, or particular experiences, you may not be able to participate without violating your conscience. Do your homework. Pray through it. Talk to fellow Christians regarding your concerns. If you have kids, carefully consider your their costumes.

Consider thinking through the following:
First, 1 Cor 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful.” Q: Is it helpful – physically, spiritually, emotionally?
Second, it goes on to say “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.” Q: Does it enslave me in any way?
Third, 1 Cor 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Q: Can I glorify God in it – and make him look as good as he is?

#2 Enjoy God’s common grace. Every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17). If you can celebrate with a clean conscience, enjoy! Image our creative God by being creative. Engage your friends. Make memories. Enjoy your favorite candy. Throw a party. Get into it.

#3 Go where the people go. Those in the city will be out of their homes, so you should consider getting out of yours. Go where the people are. Ask what your friends are doing. There are lots of activities already happening in the city, so you don’t have to make up your own. Use the holiday to build relationships with those around you for the sake of the gospel.

#4 Meet your neighbors. It can be hard to meet all your neighbors, let alone have a conversation. Use Halloween to intentionally meet and greet your neighbors. Invite them in. Have snacks and cider prepared. Be intentional. Or, do the reverse, and consider visiting your neighbors and dropping off a small gift. At least you know they’re likely to answer the door.

#5 Be generous. Be hospitable. Give out the biggest candy bars on your street. Christians should be the most generous people in the city. (2 Cor 9:11) Make your home/apartment (if your complex is doing this sort of thing) the go-to-home on the block. Tangibly demonstrate the generosity you’ve received by God in Christ.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31

Baptism, Community, City Life, Video

On August 16th, 2012, we had the privilege and honor of holding our second annual summer baptisms as a newly forming church in the heart of downtown Seattle. Simply speaking, it was an awesome evening. There were testimonies of God’s grace, great food and 12 baptisms. What a night!

God has not called us to plant this church in order to merely build a great church – but to build a great city, from the avenues to the alley ways. That happens as individual lives are changed by Jesus and sent into the city armed with His message and mercy. Baptism marks that change and for that we rejoice.
Learn more about baptism here.

Uncategorized | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

A new season brings new opportunities – and new books. Well, in this case, old books. As we head into the fall I want to recommend a number of oldies-but-goodies to anyone that happens to be considering what’s next on their reading list. I love CS Lewis’ comments on the importance of old books, particularly in light of the multitude of modern books being published today, in his introduction to Athanasius’ On the Incarnation. You can find the full intro here. Here is an excerpt:

I recommend creating a balance in your reading diet, particulary when it comes to the era in which books were written. For me, I try to read 2-3 books by dead guys for every book I read by a modern author. Why? Well, because old books have been proven by the test of time and modern books are still on trial, as Lewis puts it. If you want to invest your time well, make sure your reading includes some of the classics.

A Preliminary Recommendation.

I’ve spoken with a number of you who have mentioned that, “I am not a reader.” Unfortunately it is often stated in the same way someone would say, “I have one head and there is no changing that.” That’s not true. Readers are not necessarily born, they are created and cultivated. Of course, if you’re not a reader, you’re probably not reading this. But, if you are, I hope that is encouraging. For readers and not-yet-readers alike, I highly recommend Lit: A Christian Guide to Reading Books. It makes some of the most helpful content from this classic book much more accessible. You will be surprised how helpful reading a book on reading could be. He also provides some really practical help on how to fit reading in to an already busy schedule. You want this book.

Classic Fall Reading.

On the Incarnation by St. Athansius (AD296-373)
This is easily in my top 10 favorite books of all time. The translation that includes the introduction by CS Lewis is worth the read alone. It is incredibly faith stirring to read Athanaisius defend the full humanity and full divinity of Jesus as such an early, and crucial, stage of the early church. Super accessible.

Confessions by St. Augustine (AD354-430)
This would be in my top five favorite books of all time. It’s a little more of a demanding read, but well worth it. The entire book is Augustine’s autobiography written in the form of a prayer back to God. It’s like getting to eaves drop on Augustine praying. Stunning and helpful. To my knowledge, nothing else like it has ever been written. It may help to do a little preliminary background reading on Augustine online before digging in.

Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan (AD1628-1688)
This falls in my top five as well, particularly the first half that deals with the main character, Christian. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, Pilgrim’s Progress is an allegory of the Christian life as Christian, the man, embarks from the City of Destruction and heads to the Celestial City. Along the way he encounters the likes of Talkative, Hopeful, Faithful and others. Bunyan wrote this while in prison for preaching the gospel. You’ll find your soul stirred.

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards (AD1703-1758)
This is a classic of Jonathan Edwards, easily the greatest theologian that America has every produced. As some of the others above, not always the easiest to get through, but incredibly helpful. In it he deals with the issue of true faith and how it manifests itself in our lives. This is a topic that needs to be revisited in our day.

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis (AD1898-1963)
Of all the books above, this is the most accessible. Originally Lewis gave each chapter as a talk over the radio. They were later compiled and turned into a book. In it Lewis defends and explains the nature of Christianity. It is a helpful book for Christian and non-Christian alike. I highly recommend it. The closest modern day parallel is Tim Keller’s, The Reason for God.

In case you missed it, I also posted a number of other recommended books this past summer HERE.