Sanctuary’s Church Planting Task Force is moving ahead into its third year. We feel like we are getting a bit of a handle on things as we do. Big issues for being a church planting parent church are how do we support, but not over-control? How do we ask for accountability and partnership without being dictatorial? And, how do we engage with our church plants when we are all so busy? We are working to answer some of these questions. Also, our Decade Ahead task force team is asking questions about how to best handle church planting. In the end, we are going to continue getting better and better at this whole process.
For now, I would like to share some quick updates on what is going on around our system.
In Bellingham, Matt Atkins and Mosaic continue to be a steady and impactful church. This congregation has superb leadership, musical talent and energy to serve. I am hoping to see them organize as a CRC congregation and become the church planting parent church of Northwest Washington in the next year or two. Fountain Parish, led by Sean Hall is also in Bellingham. This is an adventurous group of folks that are really engaging their neighborhood, the Fountain District of Bellingham. Sean has also started a new “theme church” at a CrossFit gym where he combines physical workouts with spiritual workouts. It is amazing to see a gathering of over a dozen already actively involved in this growing ministry that is sort of a second site or second service for Fountain Parish.
Here in Seattle, Awake is now meeting in the old Zion Lutheran church building on Aurora. With a congregation pushing 100 members and a staff with 5 or 6 part time leaders coordinating the church and the Aurora Commons, this ministry is exemplary. Ben Katt is doing a superb job with the church and our old friend, Lisa Etter Carlson is having a great impact on lives on Aurora Avenue through the Commons.
Harbor Church, led by John Westfall is holding steady in numbers and getting to know lots of people in the Crown Hill neighborhood through Associate pastors Jana and Jeremy Koh. The PATH pre-school is in its second year and according to Gray Whitney, is a really cool place to go to preschool. Ask Gray for some stories and impressions next time you see him jetting around the rows of Taproot Theatre.
It is always sad to see a church plant close or go on hold. But, such is the case for Roots and Theology Pub on Capitol Hill. Simon Cunningham is taking at least a one year break and during his leave, the ministry will be on hold. We will be banking some leftover financial resources for a ministry on Capitol Hill and dreaming of a time when we might start something up again. Please pray for Simon as he takes a time of renewal and redirection in his life. And, if you see him, thank him for all he has doing in opening the door to Capitol Hill for us.
Tim Soerens work with the Parish Collective continues to grow and strengthen. Tim and his partners are helping churches work on serving neighborhoods well. This is exciting work. Tim is the consummate spiritual entrepreneur and is a great benefit to many. He continues to be engaged with our Seattle Church Planting Cluster and in personal relationships with many of our pastors.
We are continuing to work together with all of these folks to increase the spiritual health and vitality of the northwest while also helping make communities better places in which to live.
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