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Building the city within our city…
by Sean Hutchinson

I have been really stirred by the words of Harold Best, inspired by the Word of God. Best is a musician, pastor, worship leader, and theologian and he writes both convicting and arousing words in his book Unceasing Worship.

I have no doubt that the deeper we go into the unseen things of faith, hope, and love, the more we will revel in the temporal stuff of life, the intertwining of divine and human handiwork, the sights and sounds of earth and art. Christians should be as delighted in the things of sight and sense as God is himself, when at the instant of every creational act, he declares goodness to be observable, enjoyable and usable. Of all people, Christians should have the best noses, the best eyes and ears, the most open joy, the widest sense of delight.”

Unfortunately, this has not always been the case for the art, music, media and creativity coming out of the Church (at least not in San Diego). Too long have we just scraped by trying to compete with our culture and making poor reflections of the good art, music, and media we have today, especially in San Diego. Christians should be amongst the greatest musicians, artists, creative hearts and minds for we know the Creator Himself. Our God is a God of wonder, majesty, and glory. The Psalmist declares, “You show me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy, in Your right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11). Our lives are to reflect this truth. We are commanded to “sing the glory of His name, to make His praise glorious” (Psalm 66:2). Is the work of our hands, hearts, and minds glorious? Or does it pale in comparison with the “professionals.” The church should be producing the best graphic designers, film makers, songwriters, musicians, bands, poets, artists, construction workers, doctors, writers, etc…

I believe the Church is recognizing this and we are learning to live lives that reflect the glory of God in all that we do. We are learning to make His praise glorious! Not just our songs in our worship services but every aspect of our lives.

In light of this we are on mission to be a “GOSPEL DRIVEN, GLORY CENTERED, CITY WITHIN OUR CITY.” In doing so we are launching The LampPost Cafe, a once a month coffee house/music venue as an extension of the Music/Worship Ministry of The Resolved Church.

The “Lamp Post” is inspired by the great C.S. Lewis and the lamp post that connected the regular streets of London with the majestic and magical world of Narnia. The LampPost Cafe exists to be a collision of worlds, to connect a city of creativity, art, music, and city life through a community of musicians and artists. To connect those sojourning in the Kingdom of Grace with those outside the walls of our churches and worship gatherings. Our vision is simply this: Music – Coffee – Community. We want to be a reflection of our Creator and the work of the Gospel in our lives.

In the beginning God created….and saw that it was GOOD. And God who said “let the light shine out of darkness” has shone in our hearts to reveal the light of the glory of the Gospel in the face of Jesus (2 Cor 4:6). We are new creations in Christ. God has breathed new life into us, regenerated our hearts that were once dead in sin. Let’s reflect this great light that God has shone in our hearts. Let’s reflect the creativity of heaven as we are being transformed into the image of the Son, in the image of grace, truth, hope, and love. We are called to be a city within our city. We are called to be a light that shines in darkness, illuminating this beautiful Gospel of Jesus, this eternal life that God has brought us into through faith in his Son. May every creative act, expression of art, music, melody, and sound reveal our great and glorious God, who flung out the stars with His fingertips and spoke all creation into existence, and with His most beautiful act of Redemption sent Jesus to the cross and made ALIVE IN CHRIST.

Be alive in Christ today, live like sons and daughters of God who has lavished you in His love. Join in the mission and vision of The LampPost Cafe where every creational act declares God’s goodness to be observable, enjoyable, and usable. Be a reflection of the Creator and the work of the Gospel in your life.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).

- Sean Hutchinson

Jesus’ gospel not only secures our eternal standing with God but opens up our lives and enables us to begin living how we are meant to…caring for each other, our neighbors, and the city we live in. It’s messy and raw at times both dealing with the wreckage of our own hearts and the wreckage of issues in our town. Yet, with bright Jesus resurrection gospel hope and confidence, our vision is to see San Diego as a whole be reached as we live and love as gospel missionaries through one person, one street at a time.