By Pastor Adam Sinnett

This past Monday we held our annual Fall Member Night. It was a great night filled with vision, song and prayer. The primary intent of our time together was to address how we’re in a season of reinventing ourselves and, in many ways, relaunching as a campus.

The primary themes included:

• Centrality of the Gospel. This is nothing new, as the gospel of Jesus Christ has always been central to all that we do and believe. This will continue to be the message we proclaim as God’s people.

• People over program. Within any organization there can be a drift here and as we move into this next season we’re making a renewed effort to keep people before program.

• Simplicity over complexity. With so much going on and so many lines of communication confusion is virtually guaranteed. Recognizing this the elders and leaders of MHCWS are placing new focus on simplicity, over complexity, in this new season.

• Decentralized over centralized. Often, within churches, the people expect those in ‘paid ministry’ to do the work of ministry. The New Testament picture of the church is radically different in that the church leaders are called to “equip the saints” for the work of ministry, not centralize it around themselves.

• Ministry unity over ministry autonomy. It is easy to pick a team within the church setting, which inevitably leads to quarrels, divisions and dissensions of all kinds. We want to blur the lines between the various ministries, without losing the distinctive contribution of each, in order to create greater missional unity.

• Community over individual. America is the land of life, liberty and the pursuit of personal happiness. But, the church is called to be a people set apart by and for God to proclaim his excellencies (1 Peter 2:9). While we understand community is messy, its God’s chosen means for change, mission, and life within the kingdom.

If you’re new to Mars Hill West Seattle this fall, we’re glad you’re here. We’ve been praying for you. You can learn more about what we believe and why we do what we do by attending the upcoming Become a Member Day on Saturday, Oct 17th.

Please be praying for the church and the leadership as we move into a new season of maturing. Also, consider how Jesus is calling you to get involved and step out in faith trusting him whether in community, serving or by becoming a member.

The tomb really is empty, Jesus really is alive and his story continues to unfold all around us.

For the God of this City,
Pastor Adam