Soli Deo Gloria: Ten Years to Go One Block

September 3, 2009 | 0 Comments

This is part of an ongoing series of introductions to the churches that are part of the PlantR network. In this post, David Avila shares the story of Soli Deo Gloria.

I remember the day; how could I forget? It was Reformation Sunday, October 31, 1999. On this same day, some 482 years earlier, Martin Luther had penned and nailed his famous 95 theses on the Wittenberg Door. I was on the heels of a personal reformation in which God and His Word were at work in my own life, breaking down long-held legalistic distortions of the gospel and giving me a renewed passion for the church. In God’s providence, I took a step of faith on that day to plant a new church in East Austin, Texas, fueled and guided by the great slogans of the reformation:

• Sola Scriptura (by Scripture Alone)
• Sola Fide (by Faith Alone)
• Sola Gratia (by Grace Alone)
• Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
• Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone be the Glory)

LEGALISM
That was also the day I left the church of my youth. I felt that the little corner church, of which I had been a part since my new birth, could no longer hold my attention or answer deep questions and theological concerns that had arisen. My personal crisis became a catalyst to rediscovering the biblical doctrines of God’s sovereignty and grace that gave rise to a renewal of my faith after a long spiritual struggle through legalism and burnout. God was merciful, as the Holy Spirit used that “dangerous book of Romans” to forge the way. I wanted tangible answers to a question similar to the one Martin Luther had asked himself centuries before: “How can sinful man be made right before a Holy God?”

As a result of that struggle, the Holy Spirit lit a fresh fire in my soul with an assurance grounded in God’s Word. I was reawakened to justification by faith alone, grace, and God’s sovereignty in salvation. God broke through, and I wanted to tell the world, especially my community, and my beloved city, and I was convinced that church planting was the most effective method of sharing the gospel message.

LEADERSHIP
This endeavor also brought new insight regarding the need for indigenous leadership, especially for East Austin. The growing population of second-, third-, and fourth-generation Latinos is forcing the church to change its missional and leadership strategies. As Latino families become increasingly assimilated in this country, their children gain more opportunities for education and immersion into American culture. I had the opportunity to experience this firsthand, and I reevaluated everything – church, education, culture, and the future. Attracting and preparing indigenous Latino leaders must take all these shifting elements into account. If we are going to be a force for gospel transformation, we must attract leaders who are culturally immersed, equipped for the task, and prepared to contextualize the message to the changing landscape.

LITURGY
My prayer then, as it is now, was that God would raise up churches equipped to reach the diverse people in East Austin: Latino, Black, Anglo, rich, poor, artists, businessmen, sinners, and saints – churches that would proclaim in a fresh way the good news of the salvation story, that God himself has stepped down into our world to rescue and renew creation through the word and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. This work would embrace the richness and wisdom of the historic Christian faith. This called for a reexamination of the “how” of the contemporary church in light of Scripture. Because of the negative influences of consumerism, entertainment, and the therapeutic, even among small Latino churches, we need God’s wisdom in shaping communities of faith where God is worshiped in spirit and in truth. As I study the history of the Church, I appreciate the value of its creeds and traditions for us today. Even the Pentecostal denomination of which I am ordained in rightly affirms the oldest of these, the Apostles’ Creed. The liturgical elements grounded in God’s Word give our people a real sense that we are not alone, but a great cloud of witnesses has passed on great wisdom for those gathered for worship (see Hebrews 12:1).

SOLI DEO GLORIA AUSTIN
A decade has passed since that prayer began, and God is making it a reality. Soli Deo Gloria Austin (SDGA) is located just across the street where the prayer began. Humbled, just maybe a little wiser and battle-worn, but in every way deeply encouraged about the Kingdom of God at work in Austin, I am still convinced that church planting is one of the most effective ways in reaching our beloved city and East Austin.

Due to gentrification over the last decade, East Austin is being transformed from a primarily poor, low-income Latino and Black community into one that is more ethnically, culturally and economically diverse. And SDGA is already making strides in my old neighborhood. Three weeks before Easter this year, SDGA acquired an abandoned church building that is once again opening its doors to the community. Over 100 people worked to get it ready for Easter Sunday. Tons of supplies were donated: paint, wood, plumbing, a new deck, power washers, sheetrock, and food.

A number of people of diverse backgrounds, including visitors from the neighborhood, attended the Easter grand opening service and we’ve continued to make new friends in the community . The good news is that this is only the beginning; there is more to come!

SDG AUSTIN (SDGA)
Soli Deo Gloria Austin exists to proclaim the Salvation Story — that God himself has stepped down to rescue and renew creation through the word and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Our vision is to be a bold, biblical, Gospel-centered, Spirit-enabled, Kingdom-serving, multi-site community of faith that is as diverse as the people of Austin.

Our hope is that Christ will build communities of faith in and around East Austin where the theology of the cross will be heard and lived out, where God will be exalted and the people blessed through vibrant Christ-centered worship that is historical and relevant in its liturgy, where word and deed ministry is carried out to the least, the last, and the lost. A place where believers in the church can have opportunities to exercise their gifts for service and grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ.

WHAT DOES SDGA VALUE? WHAT IS IMPORTANT?
FIRST AND FOREMOST WE VALUE THE GOSPEL—seeking the knowledge of God and His Story. The gospel changes everything and is not only something that we believe in the beginning but is something we keep believing and applying to all of our life. It is the power by which believers grow in their relationship with God.

We value a Spirit-enabled PASSION for the worship of our Triune God, which is man’s chief end; living out the faith once delivered to the saints.

We have a love for COMMUNITY. We are to be the church not just go to church. One of the ways that we are really being the church is by seeking to love our neighbor through word and deed ministry.

We value CREATIVITY in telling God’s Story with all the gifts He has given us; living life Corum Deo—before the face of God. We desire excellence in all our holy callings whether we are artists, musicians, dishwashers, plumbers, programmers, etc.

Standing in awe of God’s grace as we live out the gospel among the least, the last and the lost. Grasping together the Father’s love of MERCY MINISTRY to the broken, needy and poor.

We believe that God has called us to be a church in East Austin and for East Austin.

SDGA has been made possible by God’s grace and providential connections with the Austin Area Church Planters Network. A member and church plant of the Acts2Day Conference of the IPHC, a network member of Austin New Church, and partners in ministry with Veritas Fellowship.

David and Veronica, both native East Austinites, have two daughters (Natalie, recently graduated from St. Edwards and Annmarie a UT Austin Sophmore). David received his B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Texas and is an ordained minister with the IPHC. For over 20 years, he has also been involved in the interactive design industry as an art director and creative designer and as an adjunct professor in visual communications. David and Veronica have been involved in numerous multicultural, incarnational, and urban church plants in Austin and one in Phoenix. Veronica uses her gifts of service, hospitality, and leadership organization in the children’s and women’s ministry.

For more information about SDGA:
SDGAustin.com
@sdgaustin — SDG Austin on Twitter
@cafeavila — David Avila on Twitter

Categories: Churches