News

Thanks to all who came out on Thursday to be part of our Fall Vision Night! It was a great night of vision, song and prayer. There was much ground to be covered during our time from, “why plant?” to “why the city?” to “our story” to “what’s next?” Our hope was that everyone would catch a glimpse of what we believe Jesus’ is doing and, in turn, feel compelled to become a part of it. I hope our time served to stoke your affections for our King and your desire to live in a way that makes Him look as good as He is.

If you missed it, you can find the audio, slideshow and handout here.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

God is doing far more abundantly…

God has been exceedingly gracious (Eph 3:20,21) to us as a newly forming Jesus-loving, gospel-centered, Bible-believing people in heart of our great city. We’re growing numerically, people are meeting and maturing in Jesus, more communities are needed, and sin is coming into the light of Jesus’ grace. The demand for more leaders has never been greater. It has been quite an adventure and we have only just started (literally).

Next Thursday…

Therefore, in light of all that God has done and (we believe) plans to do, we are gathering next Thursday, Sept 15th at 7:00pm, at Court in the Square (Pioneer Square) to launch into the next season of life together as we follow Jesus’ lead. We will sing, pray and celebrate. Topics for the evening will include:

• State of Downtown Cornerstone (ex. last 12 months, evidences of God’s grace, community news, financial update and new resources)
• Our mission, vision and values. What are we doing and where are we going?
• Our discipleship pathway. What does it look like to grow as a disciple of Jesus?
• Our top 3 areas of focus. How can I become part of Jesus’ mission through DCC?
• Our leadership. Who is helping to lead all of this?
• Q&A

Please plan to attend and be in prayer for our time together. May fall 2011 be the first of many falls we gladly and excitedly welcome for Jesus’ name and fame in this city and the cities of the world.

News

 
This Sunday, September 4th, we will be adjusting our gathering time to 9:00AM to accommodate for an event taking place at Court in the Square following our service. Please take note and spread the word.

Community, News

Last Thursday we had the privilege and honor of holding our first baptisms as a newly forming church in the heart of downtown Seattle. Simply speaking, it was a powerful night. There were testimonies of God’s grace, great food and six 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. I can’t wait to do it again. He is faithful…and there’s more to come.

For those who are following us, thanks for your prayers and support.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

News

This Sunday, August 21st, we will be adjusting our gathering time to 9:00AM to accommodate for an event taking place at Court in the Square following our service. Please take note and spread the word.

Community, News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Join us this Thursday, August 11th @ 6:00pm, for our third and final BBQ of the summer plus baptisms!

Bring your friends, picnic essentials, summer games and your own meat for the grill. We will also be holding our first baptisms as a newly forming church in the heart of downtown. It’s going to be a memorable night on the Seattle waterfront. If you’re reading this, you’re invited.

LOCATION:  Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way W.  (Note location on map below)

PARKING/ACCESS: Parking is available on the street, close to south entrance below the sculpture park.
FOOD: Bring your own meat. Sides, desserts and hospitality provided by Cornerstone Communities.
RAIN? In case of rain we will redirect to an alternative indoor location. So far, so good.
QUESTIONS: Email Brad Lewis or call 206-718-6339

Community, News, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

Cities are places of transition. Seattle is no different. Many people move to Seattle for school, work or new opportunities. Moving to a new city is difficult. But, finding a church that loves Jesus, believes the Bible and preaches the gospel is even more so. Since launching in April we’ve met many new-to-the-city Jesus-following transplants in search of a church to call home. That search is not as easy as it might sound, particularly in Seattle. What follows are questions I encourage people to consider when in search of a new church family. Disclaimer: This is genuinely not written for the benefit of DCC but for all in our city looking for a Bible believing, Jesus-loving, Gospel centered church to call home. Jesus wants you covered by a church like that.

#1 Have you prayed about it?

No, really. Have you prayed about it? Oftentimes we assume that Jesus wants what we want. He might. Or, he might have something even better in mind – but, it may look entirely different than what you expect.

#2 Do they love Jesus?

Is it clear the church worships Jesus Christ? Is Jesus’ name mentioned regularly? Is the music sung to Jesus? Does the preaching center around the person and work of Jesus? Is Jesus not merely assumed, but demonstrably loved?

#3 Do they preach out of the Bible?

Is the Bible opened during the sermon? Is the sermon itself clearly taken from the text or just used as a launching pad for some other topic? Is it clear the Bible is loved and trusted as the Word of God?

#4 Is the gospel clearly presented?

The gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ to live our life and die our death, in our place, for the forgiveness of sin. Does the church believe and preach this? Is the gospel applied to both Christians and non-Christians?

#5 What happens beyond Sundays?

Don’t let Sunday define the church. There are six other days of the week. Some churches are able to pull off a big production every Sunday, but there is little depth otherwise. Others may have a weak Sunday presence, with great depth. Look beyond Sundays.

#6 Is the church on Jesus’ mission or their own?

Do you hear more about all the great things the church is doing or all the great things that Jesus is doing? Who has center stage? Is Jesus used to prop up the mission of the church? Or is the mission of the church to point to Jesus?

#7 What is the community like?

The church is a people, not a place. It can take time to get to know people. As you narrow down your options, I recommend taking one month to get involved in the life of a church before making a final decision. Get to know people. Meet the pastor(s). Join a community.

#8 How are you gifted to serve the church?

Keep in mind this search is not all about you. Jesus wants you to participate in his mission through the church. Where are your gifts most needed? Don’t merely look for what’s comfortable. Jesus cares more about who you are becoming than your comfort. We often want comfort, Jesus wants us to be like him.

#9 Does the church want to see people meet Jesus?

Does the church view itself as an outpost for the gospel? Is the church primarily focused on its programs or primarily focused on seeing the gospel form a new people on Jesus’ mission.

#10 Are you willing to make a decision and commit?

At some point, you’ll need to make a decision. Don’t make the process drag on for months and months. Prayerfully find a church. Get connected. Serve as you’ve been served in Christ. Extend grace towards the church as Jesus has extended grace towards you. Give generously to the church as Jesus generously gave himself for you.

Whatever you end up deciding, pray for every church you visit. Encourage the pastor, as appropriate. Don’t make this search an exercise in self-righteousness. Don’t search for the elusive perfect church. Approach with what you can give, not what you desire to take. Thank God for all that He is doing in your city and ask Him to do even more for His glory and the good of others.

News, Teaching | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

On Thursday, August 11th, Downtown Cornerstone will be celebrating its first baptisms at Myrtle Edwards Park. We’ll light up the grills, play some beats, and celebrate the grace of God – most clearly seen in Jesus Christ – in baptism. Invite a friend. Bring some meat. Arrive expectant. Many of you may not be familiar with the act of baptism, so I prepared the following as a biblical brief.

The Gospel is the good news of the forgiveness of sin in Jesus Christ.

When we repent of our sin, trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation, we should be baptized (Mat 28:18-20; Acts 2:38) In baptism we identity with Jesus in his death (being immersed under water) and his resurrection to new life (being brought out of the water) for the forgiveness of sin (Rom 6:1-10; Col 2:12). It is outward symbolic act that demonstrates the inward reality of what God has accomplished on the cross through His Son. In so doing, we identify ourselves with Jesus (Acts 10:48; Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), the universal church (1 Cor 12:13), and the local church (Acts 2:41).
Why should Christians be baptized?
Jesus commanded that all Christians be baptized (Mt 28:19).
Who should be baptized?
Every baptism in the New Testament is preceded by repentance of sin and faith in Jesus (Acts 2:38-41; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 9:18-19; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:14-15, 40; Acts 16:29-36; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:1-7; Acts 22:16). In other words, only Christians who have repented of sin and have trusted in Jesus should be baptized. Therefore, all non-Christians and children too young to demonstrate repentance and articulate faith should be excluded.
May I be baptized if I have previously been baptized?
Once baptized there is no need to be baptized again (Eph 4:5). However, there is one exception, if you were baptized as a non-Christian and now desire to profess your faith in Him you may be baptized (Acts 19:1-5). This would include would include people who were baptized in cults and heretical churches, as well as those baptized as infants at the request of their parents. Downtown Cornerstone does not require those who were baptized as children to be baptized as believing adults, though encouraged, but leaves this decision to the conscience of each Christian.

If you would like to be baptized or if you have any additional questions, please contact Pastor Adam or your community leader.

News | by Pastor Adam Sinnett

This Sunday, June 19th, we will be adjusting our gathering time to 9:00AM to accommodate for an event taking place at Court in the Square following our service. Please take note and spread the word. Also, don’t forget this Sunday is also Father’s Day.

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