This weekend we celebrate Good Friday (4/3, 6:30pm) and Easter (4/5, 9am & 11:15am). That makes this weekend all about reflecting and rejoicing. Will you join us? There will be no give-aways, no smoke machines, no light shows, no hype, just Jesus. It is easy for the significance of this time of year to be lost amidst a sea of pastels, egg hunts, honey-cured hams and chocolate bunnies, but it doesn’t have to be. We need to take time to reflect and rejoice. This is particularly true amidst a culture that celebrates what is fleeting and transient while neglecting what is most profound and real – like a mighty savior who is also a sinless substitute. So, I invite you to join us this weekend as we reflect on Good Friday and rejoice on Easter.
There are a few things to keep in mind:
First, Good Friday and Easter go together.
I encourage you to consider participating in both Good Friday and Easter. Immerse yourself in the (true) story this weekend, starting on Friday and culminating on Sunday. Cancel your other obligations. Say “no” to Netflix for one Friday night. Keep your kids up. It is worth it.
Second, our Good Friday gathering is unique.
If you’ve never been part of our Good Friday gathering, don’t think of it as a normal Sunday gathering on a Friday. It is a completely different thing. Over the the last four years we have prayerfully labored to create a fresh experience of the ancient Good Friday story. It is unique, moving and powerful. You really don’t want to miss it.
Third, arrive early.
We recommend that you arrive early on Friday and Sunday. On Good Friday, arriving early will give you time to pray, reflect, and read the scriptures. The auditorium will be open 20 minutes prior to our start time. On Easter, we are expecting a full house, so arriving early will ensure you are able to secure seats for your whole party. We will be adding chairs, tightening the rows and creating an overflow space, but we anticipate that it will still be full. Plan ahead.
Fourth, we are validating parking for everyone.
We are validating parking for everyone at the Art Institute parking garage on Friday and Sunday. Please note that on Good Friday, we have secured just one of the parking lots, the U-Park lot, next to the building for family parking only.
Fifth, your kids are covered.
If you’re a parent with a child from one to eight years old, our Cornerstone Kids team has generously offered to serve families on Good Friday and Easter. This is an act of sacrificial service and love on their part, so please be sure to thank them!
Sixth, let’s be praying for Jesus to move.
Most importantly, let’s be praying for Jesus to save, awaken and reinvigorate souls to the breathtaking reality of his grace and redemption this weekend. Invite your friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers. Let’s ask Him to do what only He can in our lives, and in the lives of those who do not yet know him. He is able.
This Sunday, March 29th, is a big Sunday in the life of DCC. Not only are we moving locations, we are also moving to two gatherings, 9am and 11:15am. Last week I answered, “Why do we want a new building?” Here I will answer, “Why are we moving to two gatherings?” and address a number of other frequently asked questions. A move, with many implications, can create many questions. I hope to answer those here and alleviate potential concerns that any change is bound to bring. Some of us love and embrace change, while others among us run from it. The former is not “good” and the latter “bad”, just different, and my deep desire is that you all feel cared for in this important transition. This move, and all it brings, is a tremendous evidence of God’s grace and provision to us. It would be a shame if we were so concerned with the sea walls on either side of us, that we miss the fact that he’s opened up a way through the sea itself! (cf Ex. 14) Let’s rejoice together and prayerfully approach this next season with expectation. Please know that your pastors, deacons and leaders are available if you have any questions. So, with that, let’s turn to the questions:
Q: Why are we moving to two gatherings?
On a very practical level, we are moving from a theater that seats 550 to a new space that seats (maybe) 350. We just won’t fit together in one space any longer.
Q: When will the gatherings be? When will this start?
Starting this Sunday (March 29th), our gathering times will be at 9am and 11:15am at 2333 Western Ave, located in the Belltown neighborhood.
Q: What are the benefits of going to two gatherings?
There are many benefits of going to two gatherings given where we are as a church. First, two gatherings will open up more seats and, therefore, more space for people to know, and grow, in Jesus. Second, two gatherings will create smaller gatherings where we can actually recognize and get to know those around us (unlike at AMC). Third, two gatherings will create more options for Sunday morning worship and, therefore, greater flexibility. Fourth, two gatherings will ensure that no one needs to miss a gathering because they are volunteering. For example, if you volunteer with Cornerstone Kids or Security you can now volunteer during one gathering and participate in the other. Fifth, two gatherings will give more people the opportunity and joy of stepping out in faith to volunteer and serve in significant ways. Sixth, moving to two gatherings will prepare us for a similar dynamic that will take place when we send out our first church plant. All told, this is a really good move for us.
Q: Why don’t we start a new church instead of starting a second gathering?
We would love to plant a new church. We still plan to, Lord willing, many times over. We just don’t have anyone ready to lead a plant (yet). However, we are actively training men, saving money and praying to that end. It’s only a matter of time. If you’re interested, talk to me.
Q: Why do you keep referring to them as “gatherings” instead of “services”?
I promise I won’t be a stickler on this, but what happens on Sunday is a gathering not a service. We take our cars in for “service”, but we “gather” with Jesus’ people. Even more, what does that even mean? Is that talking about our service? God’s service? Who’s exactly being served again? The whole point of Sunday is not merely serving, or being served, but gathering together (after being scattered all week long) with Jesus’ people for worship, prayer, scripture and song.
Q: Who will be preaching and leading in song at each gathering?
Both gatherings will have the same preacher and band.
Q: What will be different about each gathering?
Generally speaking, apart from the Spirit moving otherwise, the overall flow and feel of both gatherings will be the same.
Q: Will we have enough volunteers?
The slots are filling up, but we still have volunteer needs. If you call DCC your church family, we highly encourage you to participate in the life of the family by serving in some capacity. Please visit the Connect Desk on Sunday or email to get signed-up.
Q: Will this hurt our attendance, or lose momentum, by going to two gatherings?
No, actually, in time we expect the opposite.
Q: Won’t this create two churches in the same building? Will we lose unity?
No. We are one church that now gathers across two different times, on the same day, in the same building. The reason we exist is to build a great city, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God. That is not changing. We will remain vigorously Jesus-centered, gospel-saturated and Spirit-led. We will remain committed to declaring the gospel (in word) and displaying its implications (in deed). We will remain primarily focused on people. We will continue to put our energies into cultivating disciple-making disciples. In a word, we are still DCC, just with a new home base.
Q: Where will I park?
There are three primary places to park on Sundays. First, families, first-time visitors and those with any special needs may park for free in the two lots adjacent to our building (see map below). Second, for everyone else, you may park in the Art Institute parking garage and we will validate your parking. Again, unlike when we were at AMC, parking validation will now be for everyone. Just be sure to get a stamp on the way out. Third, for the time being, all street parking downtown remains free on Sunday. So, if you’re able to snag a spot near the building, have at it.
Q: Where will I drop off my kids for Cornerstone Kids? Can I pre-register?
Families can drop off their kids, with an adult, at the Cornerstone Kids entrance in the alley behind the building (see map above). There will be signage and volunteers directing the way. The CKids space and registration is just a short walk into the building. More information is available on the Cornerstone Kids group on The City. To expedite the check-in process, you can pre-register HERE.
Q: “Um, but I won’t see the same people any more?!”
There’s truth to this. We won’t see all of the same people any more on Sunday. But, here’s the question: isn’t this already happening? It is for me. I rarely get to talk to everyone I want to on any given Sunday. I want to, but there are just too many people. Per above, creating smaller gatherings will actually enhance, not diminish, our ability to be in relationship with one another. Even more, a major function of our Cornerstone Communities is to create smaller, consistent relationships around Jesus, his Word and his call to live sent lives together. If you’re not yet in a community, now could be a good time to make that transition.
I am humbled by Jesus’ goodness to us. I hope you are too. He didn’t have to provide this space, but He did any way. Let’s revel in His grace and ask Him to do something in this city that only He can do. It doesn’t have to be “business as usual” so let’s pray and labor to that end. Let’s ask Him to do something awesome here, for the glory of his name, and the joy of our entire city.
You have inevitably heard that we are moving into a building located at 2333 Western Ave, in Belltown, with our first Sunday on March 29th. We will simultaneously be moving to two services at 9:00am and 11:15am. Jesus has been so kind to us over our last four years as a church plant. We’ve met in condos, apartments, office conference rooms, various party rooms, other church’s buildings, community centers, the Underground Tour, an office lobby, and four theaters within AMC. Not once have we lacked a space to meet and gather.
Benefits of being a mobile church
In many ways it has been a tremendous blessing to be a mobile church. It forced us to embrace the biblical notion of the local church as a people, not a place; that Jesus is our home, not a building. It required many to trust Jesus by stepping-up to volunteer for our weekly set-up/tear-down. It cultivated dependency, patience, and prayer as we adapted to whatever space we had and looked for our next. It allowed us to keep a streamlined budget without larger facility costs. It also helped shape us as a very hospitable people.
Challenges to being a mobile church
Yet, there are downsides to being mobile. First, being mobile is very challenging to coordinate as we need to work within the calendars, limitations, and availability of other spaces. Second, being mobile does not allow our entire staff team to office together, let alone volunteers and interns. Third, being mobile prevents us from having separate space and office hours for counseling. Fourth, being mobile limits our ability to host and/or participate in citywide events. Fifth, being mobile makes accommodating our bustling children’s ministry very difficult. Sixth, being mobile spreads our resources and gear throughout the city (e.g. we have an office at the Westin, band gear at Denny Park Lutheran, Sunday gear at AMC, and other gear in our individual homes). Seventh, being mobile doesn’t allow us to create any sort of substantive, visible, faithful presence in the city we’re called to. There are other challenges, but these are among the most significant.
Our search for a new space
Therefore, over the last year and a half, we have scoured the downtown core for a more permanent space to accommodate our growing church. We have looked at purchase options to buy. We have looked at lease options. We have spoken with every theater, every concert hall, every rock venue, every hotel, every convention space. We found nothing. But, all that changed in December when we approached the owners of 2333 Western for the seventh time and – to make a long story, short – we now have a five-year lease.
Benefits of having a building
Securing this particular building for our next season of life and mission together will: (1) allow us to centralize our church life (office, meetings, leadership labs, prayer nights, classes, trainings, counseling, and more); (2) allow us to create a more substantive and visible presence in the city; (3) give us more options to handle growth (i.e. multiple services); (4) give us more opportunities to host and participate in community-sponsored events; (5) save time and volunteer resources now required as a mobile church; (6) better provide and care for our children and families; (7) save us hundreds of thousands of dollars on build-out; and (8) be more readily accessible. In a word, this is a huge evidence of God’s grace. All told, there are tremendous benefits to having our own building that serves as a central hub for declaring and displaying the goodness of the good news of Jesus in this city we all love.
Challenges to having a building
As with anything, there are potential negative side-effects to having a building that we should be aware of. (1) A building can cause a church to think they’ve “arrived” and become subtly lulled to sleep as consumers rather than fiery, faith-filled participants; (2) A building can cause a church to shift from a “living sent” to a “come and sit” mentality, thus taking the edge off our call to spread the gospel; (3) A building can also cause a shift of resources and energy to up-keep rather than an ongoing pursuit and love for actual people. These are real dangers, but they do not outweigh the benefits of having a building. Provided that we seek first the Kingdom and his righteousness (Mt6:33) we can trust him to keep us out of these potential snares.
Here we go…
I couldn’t be more excited and, to be honest, slightly overwhelmed by this turn of events. But, I trust our good and faithful God is leading the way, just as He has up until now. He will not falter or fail to keep His promises to us. He cannot not be faithful. That’s who He is. Let’s keep our first love our first love (Rev2:4), pressing forward together, and ask Him to do above and beyond all that we ask think or imagine (Eph 3:20-21). There are still many in this city who are His (Acts 18:10).
Those of you who were with us Sunday morning heard the exciting news that we have found a building for our next season of life and mission together. After years of searching, and months of negotiating, this past Friday we signed a five-year lease on a building located at 2333 Western Ave. Jesus heard and answered our prayers in a very dramatic way. This space was previously occupied by the downtown campus of Mars Hill Church, but was sold when they moved to a different location. As a result, it has sat empty for the last two and a half years. Jesus has been kind to preserve the work of those who have gone faithfully before us – and we get to be the beneficiaries.
Open House, Wednesday 11th @ 6:30pm
In light of all of this, we are hosting an informal “Open House” this coming Wednesday. This meeting will replace this month’s prayer night. The doors will open at 6:30pm, so everyone will have time to walk through the space. We will then gather around 7:00pm to talk about our plan moving forward, our strategy for getting the building prepared, pray and sing. It’s going to be a great night and we’re going to need all hands on deck. Our plan is to get into the space relatively quickly because (1) it doesn’t need a lot of work and (2) we are already paying rent. As of right now we are aiming to have our first Sunday in the building on March 29th (one week before Easter). Since the main gathering space fits 350-ish chairs (and our current theater at AMC fits 550), we will need to move to two services, likely 9:00am and 11:15am. We’ll be rolling out more information on that front.
Volunteer Sign-Up
Many of you have already graciously expressed interest in helping get the space prepared, and even offered particular gifts or services. To help keep track of all this we have created a volunteer sign-up form. If you’re able to help, in any capacity, please consider completing this form. At this point, we will likely have several larger work parties with many smaller ones sprinkled throughout the next three weeks.
Building Fund
We have been saving for a more permanent gathering space from the very beginning. By God’s grace, we don’t need to do a major capital campaign in order to get into the building because we already have those dollars saved. Thank you to all who have given sacrificially, cheerfully and regularly to make that a reality. However, as far as we know at this point, this building is not going to be a long term space beyond the five year lease. We plan to continue to save in order to buy a space and not dig too deeply, or unnecessarily, into our savings during this move. So, in light of that, we have created a separate “Building fund” for anyone who would like to contribute to this particular project. You can access that here. This would, of course, be above and beyond your normal giving.
It’s just a building
Let’s keep in mind that the building located at 2333 Western is just a building. Without question, let’s rejoice and thank our gracious, gift-giving King for answering our prayers! Yes! Yes! Yes! But, at the same time, let’s remember that this building is just a tool for spreading the supremacy of God, in all things, in our city. Our ultimate hope is in Him and not this, or any other, building. This doesn’t change who we are. We are still DCC. We still want to build a great city through the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. The church is still a people, not a place, but it sure is nice to have a place for the people. He is positioning us well for our next season together.
Friends, we got a building! I hope to see you all on Wednesday.
“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.” (Eph 3:20)
This weekend we celebrate Good Friday (4/3, 6:30pm) and Easter (4/5, 9am & 11:15am). That makes this weekend all about reflecting and rejoicing. Will you join us? There will be no give-aways, no smoke machines, no light shows, no hype, just Jesus. It is easy for the significance of this time of year to be lost amidst a sea of pastels, egg hunts, honey-cured hams and chocolate bunnies, but it doesn’t have to be. We need to take time to reflect and rejoice. This is particularly true amidst a culture that celebrates what is fleeting and transient while neglecting what is most profound and real – like a mighty savior who is also a sinless substitute. So, I invite you to join us this weekend as we reflect on Good Friday and rejoice on Easter.
