Now Is The Time

When I look at Helena, this is what I see.

Some of us seem desperately lonely. Some of us are heavily burdened. Some of us are extremely busy with work schedules, with kids, or both. Still others of us lament past hurts. We experience damaged lives, broken marriages, and financial hardships.

Now is the time for a change.

Then we look at some of our friends and it is even worse. We have friends whose lives are being destroyed by alcohol or even meth. We want to help, but don't know how — life is difficult enough for us.

Now is the time for a change.

When most places close down by 9pm (if not 5pm downtown), many teens and young adults in Helena can find nothing better to do than to either drink or have sex. There are no cool local hangouts for this generation. We all know that 24-hour Wal-Mart is as good as it gets.

Now is the time for a change.

On our radios, John Mayer sings these words: "now we see everything that's going wrong / with the world and those who lead it / we just feel like we don't have the means / to rise above and beat it / so we keep waiting / waiting on the world to change."

And we embrace those words as our mantra for life. We keep waiting for our worlds to change. We're dissatisfied with the status quo, with the way things are in our lives and with our friends and in our city — but not enough to stop waiting and take action.

Now is the time for a change.

These are the “early moments” of a movement within Helena to see a generation encounter a better life. Let me assure you that God IS moving. He is moving to heal broken families and hurting individuals — not just through Encounter, but through the lives of few individuals across this city.

The question is "Are you still waiting?"

Too often we wait and do nothing, but God Himself is also waiting. He's waiting for you to join Him in His vision for Helena. Will you join Him? Will you join the lone dancer who is living out what God meant us to be?

If you embrace this challenge, I guarantee that your life and the expression of God's crazy love shown through you, will awaken and revitalize your family, your friends, your coworkers and even those complete strangers that come across your path.

Now is the time for a change.



Now is the time for you to fulfill the purpose for which God created for you – you can passionately and actively be involved in something significant, that is greater than yourself.

I challenge you to take a moment to ask God what He is preparing you for. I challenge you to consider how joining the first couple of dancers at Encounter could change the face of Helena.

Specifically, I challenge you to join us this Friday for the Dream Team Introduction (Facebook here). We'll be discussing how to make a difference in Helena as part of the Encounter launch team. Join us.

Now is the time.

Dream Team Introduction - July 31

We're having an Encounter Dream Team Introduction on Friday, July 31 at 7pm and you are invited...

ABOUT THIS GATHERING
We want to learn, discuss, and dream about how Encounter will impact this generation and beyond in Helena. If you have heard about Encounter or seen us online and want to know more about our vision and strategy to impact this generation in Helena, then you should attend.

We will further explore the vision and three essential focuses of Encounter. We will discuss specifically: How can we see lives changed positively in Helena? What are the next steps for Encounter? How can you make a difference on the Launch Team?

ABOUT THE DREAM
We are a people who are passionate about and understand God's vision and strategy for Encounter.

We are not just volunteers, but actively involved in something significant for God - looking to BE the church in Helena, not just attend a church.

We are excited about what God is already doing in our city and eager to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes. We want to tell everyone about this new faith community that exists for this generation and beyond - and we desire for them to encounter Jesus through us.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
If you have been coming to some of the Encounter Discussions or been involved in our Community Service Projects and want to know more about Encounter Church, this is a great opportunity to ask specific questions about what God is doing and the great things He has in store.

If you are already part of the launch team, this will be a great opportunity to put specifics to the dream and vision God has already placed within in us. How we can passionately and actively be involved in something significant, that is greater than ourselves.

If you are tired of a dried out "version of Christianity," if you share a desire to see the people far from God encounter Jesus in a real life-giving way, if you want to explore a creative, innovative, and fresh way of experiencing authentic relationships with others on your same journey of faith, please join us.

Finally, this will be a great opportunity to find out more about Encounter in a less formal and conversational venue. Don't miss out.

UPDATE: Arrive at 6:30pm for free pizza and pop.

WHAT: Encounter Dream Team Introduction
WHO: Those who dare to dream
WHEN: Friday, July 31 @ 7pm
WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]

If possible, RSVP on Facebook here or contact us here – it's not required, but it helps us plan. Kids are welcome, but there will be no childcare or babysitter.

Hey You...Yeah You!

Now, we both know you've been checking out Encounter for a while.

You've been visiting the website and looking us up on Facebook. But you're still lurking in the background.

You want to find out more about this group of people called Encounter. What motivates us? How do we plan to impact this generation in Helena? Are we a safe place for hurting and imperfect people?

Maybe you've seen us at the YWCA, at the Helena Walking Mall, or Alive@Five. Maybe you've been checking the blog each day from the Montana State Government, or Albertsons, your home Bresnan Service, or even out-of-state.

Maybe you are the guy who has the "Faith is a Journey, Not a Guilt Trip" bumper sticker I saw today. You know who you are.

I'm just saying that now is the time to MAKE A CONNECTION!

Give me a call.
Send me an email.
Chat with me on Facebook.
Direct tweet me on Twitter.
Join us tomorrow for the Dream Team Gathering.

Let's talk and share our dreams for a new faith community in Helena for this generation and beyond.

Dream Team Gathering...What Is It?

We're having an Encounter Dream Team Gathering this Friday at 7pm and you are invited...

WHAT IS THE DREAM?
We are a people who are passionate about and understand God's vision and strategy for Encounter.

We are not just workers or volunteers, but actively involved in something significant for God - looking to BE the church in Helena, not just attend a church.

We are excited about what God is already doing in our midst and eager to celebrate successes and learn from mistakes. We want to tell everyone about this new faith community that exists for this generation and beyond - and we desire for them to encounter Jesus through us.

WHAT IS A DREAM TEAM GATHERING?
As we begin to form the team of people who will actively launch Encounter Church, we'll to need to gather together to learn, discuss, and work out the vision and DNA of Encounter. Primarily because a church is not an institution as much as it is a people, we as a people will to passionately pursue the same vision, and dream the same dream.

WHO CAN COME?
If you are already part of the launch team, it is important for you to come this Friday - you are the core of this gathering.

If you have been coming to some of our Encounter Discussions or been involved in our Community Service Projects and want to know more about Encounter Church, this is a great opportunity to ask specific questions about what God is doing and the great things He has in store.

Finally, if you have heard about Encounter or seen us online and want to know more about our vision and strategy to impact this generation in Helena, then you too should come.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
At the Dream Team Gathering we will begin with some music and prayer. We will further explain the vision, mission, values, and three essential environments of Encounter. Finally, we will discuss specifically what it means to be part of the Encounter Launch Team, what criteria we are looking for, and where we need to go from here. We will dream about what God has in store for Helena through Encounter Church.

SHOULD I COME?
If you are tired of a dried out "version of Christianity," if you share a desire to see the people far from God encounter Jesus in a real life-giving way, if you want to explore a creative, innovative, and fresh way of experiencing authentic relationships with others on your same journey of faith, please join us.

Finally, if you missed the Encounter Informational Meeting about a month ago, this will be a great opportunity to find out more about Encounter in a less formal and conversational venue.

WHAT: Encounter Dream Team Gathering
WHO: Launch Team and anyone
WHEN: Friday, June 17 @ 7pm
WHERE: Powell Home [map/directions]

If possible, RSVP on Facebook here or contact us here – it's not required, but it helps us plan. Kids are welcome, but there will be no childcare or babysitter.

Listen to the Vision!

At Encounter, our vision is to free people to encounter Jesus.

Connected to the image of Moses' burning bush experience, we want to be something out of the ordinary that catches people's attention so they can hear the voice of God.

We want to remove as many obstacles, distractions, and barriers as we can so that this generation and beyond can have an authentic, life-changing encounter with Jesus.

More specifically, we have found that people tend to like Jesus but not the church. They have been turned off by traditional models of "doing church." Their view of what the Church and what following Jesus is supposed to be has been skewed by many things — but primarily by a lifeless, passionless, empty representation of faith that is judgmental, self-righteous, and downright boring.

In a broad sense, we envision a dangerous church, an assembly, a gathering, a faith community, a group of people, who are drawn together to pursue what it means to boldly follow Jesus beyond Sunday, and in the missional context of real life.

HAVE YOU FELT IT?
And this vision is not just mine or Andrea's, but one planted there by God in each one of us drawn to Encounter. Each of us has sensed the vision, we have then seen it articulated, and now we have begun the process of growth that will see the vision come to life. Like a seed that has been planted, it must now be watered and cared for as it matures into reality.

Have you sensed the vision? Have you felt it gnawing at your soul? Have you been discouraged in the valley as God has been molding you into the shape of the vision? We have too, but we are not satisfied with anything else but an authentic and bold following after Jesus and His vision planted within us!

LISTEN TO THE VISION!
I am going to be bold here and just say it. If you are not connected with a church here in Helena — if you are not living out your faith in a passionate and life-filled way with others in a faith community — you are missing out on something incredible!

You REALLY should come be a part Encounter. If you don't live here in Helena, you should move here. Seriously, we will help you! Seriously, the next six months at Encounter are going to be AMAZING! You should listen to the vision that is stirring in your soul and come be a part of what God is doing in Helena!

So let's get together and talk more over coffee.
Give me a call today!

Three Ways to "Be the Change" in Helena this Summer

I've mentioned before that I am really excited about continuing to impact our community and about being a positive agent of change here in Helena where we live, work, and play. Here are three ways you can "be the change" this Summer through Encounter Church.

1) MAKING HELENA GREENER - July 10 at YWCA
As the Making Helena Greener project, we'll be landscaping and planting donated flowers at the YWCA women's home. We invite you to join us there at 7pm this Friday, July 10. If you can, bring $3 to help cover costs as well as some digging tools, such as shovels and spades. You can RSVP at the Facebook page for this event here and also view a video of the area we'll be planting.

2) SERVING FRIENDS - August 7 at Memorial Park
Then we'll be serving our friends at Blue Cross Blue Shield at Memorial Park on August 7. We have the opportunity to host employees' families by providing and operating a rock wall, kids inflatable, as well as a cotton candy and snow cone booth. While the event lasts from 3-7pm, we will need volunteers from 1:30-8pm for setup, operation, and teardown. You can RSVP at the Facebook page for this event here or else contact us soon to find out more.

3) ENCOUNTER T-SHIRT - Order by July 7
We already announced our new fashionable Encounter t-shirts, but did you know that you can help fund our community service events if you order one for $25 or more. They are available in sizes from S-5XL, so order one today by contacting us ASAP. The order deadline is this Tuesday, July 7.

Have a 'Sweet' Time Planning to Serve our Community

As the impact of the 7 Days of Servolution in Helena continues to echo through our community, we're getting together to discuss and plan ways we can serve others throughout the Summer.

We already have some great opportunities coming our way, giving us the opportunity to serve needs and make Helena a better place. But we will need some more people.

So bring some services ideas and connections, as well as a friend or two that may be interested in getting involved. Then join us for a 'sweet' time of planning to serve others in the Helena community.

WHEN: Thursday, June 25 @ 7:30pm
WHERE: Dairy Queen, 2850 N. Montana
WHAT: Discuss & Plan Community Service
WHO: You and Your Friends, Everyone Welcome!

View the Facebook event here.

On Boats And Safety

Since we've been talking about boats and safety recently, I found the following entry this morning in Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest. It's quite interesting. He writes...

"If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of his purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in the calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get past the harbor into the great depths of God..."

Are we spending all our time in the calm waters? In the safety of the harbor?

Don't get me wrong, Jesus died to bring us peace. He came to give us rest and comfort. But that safety is found in Him alone – not in our retirement plans, not in our job security, nor in our convenient participation of church activities. The safety we seek is granted within and despite the chaos of the raging storm.

I see this daily as I am reminded how crazy it is to launch a new church in a city that already has dozens; when I am reminded that we are in economic hard times; when I am reminded that Helena is not immune to the violence and heartbreak of tragic events like last week's shooting.

While we find peace and fulfillment in Him, may we remember that Jesus didn't die to make us safe. He died to make us dangerous – to the storms, to spiritual apathy, to the evils of this world, and to the status quo.

Perhaps God is moving you right now to sever the lines of complacent safety. Perhaps He's calling you to take an active part in being a positive agent of change in Helena. Contact us – we would love to talk to you about what Encounter is doing and how we plan to conquer these storms through Jesus.

Getting Out Of The Boat

We are in a boat. We're in the boat of our lives.

For some of us, our boat is going to church, reading our bibles, listening to the message, listening to the music, and trying to be a good person. All these things are our little boat.

They keep us safe.
They keep us afloat.
They keep us from drowning.

It's a good little boat to be in – but isn't there something more?

Our little boat does make us comfortable. It's a nice little boat to be in. We don't make anyone angry. If people ask us about Jesus, we'll tell them. We think "yeah I'm going to heaven. I'm saved. I know how to do the Christian thing." So what's wrong?

Why do we feel like there is more?
Why are we dis-satisfied with the status quo?
Why are we NOT dis-satisfied with the status quo?

A BOAT STORY

In Matthew 14, Jesus was on the shore, praying. The disciples were out in a boat when the winds began to pick up and waves began to crash on the side of the boat. The sky got dark and the storm began to pour down on the disciples. Of course, the disciples began to be afraid for their lives because they thought the boat was going to flip over and they were all going to drown.

One of the disciples looks out onto the water and he sees what he thinks is a ghost walking on the water. And then they hear a familiar voice that says "Take courage, it's me. Do not be afraid"

It was Jesus!

Jesus was walking on water out in the middle of the storm. And then Peter says "Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water"

And Jesus says "Come."

So Peter steps out and he is miraculously able to walk on water and walks toward Jesus. While he soon begins to doubt and begins sinking, Peter calls out for help. Jesus grabs his hand and pulls him up.

Peter never had to leave the comfort of the boat. He could have easily hid with his life jacket on, hid from the storm, and stayed in the boat. But there was one problem.

Jesus wasn't in the boat.
Jesus was out in the middle of the storm.
Peter knew he needed to be with Jesus.

A CHOICE

We too, have a choice to make. We can continue on staying in our boat – with our family, with our friends, with our schools. We can pray to God everyday. We can read our Bibles. We can try to be nice people. But if we do, we never leave our boat. We never say Jesus is worth risking our life for. Jesus is worth drowning for.

Jesus told Peter to come.
And He's telling you to come.
Get out of your comfort zone.
Get out of your boat.

And come walk on water with Him.

NOW IS THE TIME

These are the “early moments” of a movement within Helena to lead a generation into a growing relationship with Christ. Let's get together today. We are currently gathering people who will launch Encounter Church. If you haven't already thought about it, we challenge you to seriously and prayerfully consider being part of the Launch Team.

These notes from the Encounter Informational Meeting and a video by GreaterLess Films called "Boat."

Get Involved: PRAY

In our recent Informational Meeting, we explained four challenges to personally get involved – to step out of the boat that you are in and take an active role in what Jesus is doing outside the boat to impact this generation and beyond in Helena.

WE CHALLENGE YOU TO PRAY REGULARLY

We challenge you to pray regularly for the work and impact of Encounter Church – for the launch team that we are developing and for the people of this city.

Your prayers are an indispensable part of planting this new church. We already have friends and family all over the world that are part of our intercessory prayer team. We're asking you to join them by committing to pray for us regularly.

When you become a prayer partner, you will begin receiving our Encounter Prayer Updates by email, keeping you updated on Encounter and letting you know our specific prayer requests.

To sign up click here and mark "Encounter Prayer Updates."

Read Get Involved: PRAY
Read Get Involved: SHARE
Read Get Involved: JOIN
Read Get Involved: TELL

Get Involved: SHARE

In our recent Informational Meeting, we explained four challenges to personally get involved – to step out of the boat that you are in and take an active role in what Jesus is doing outside the boat to impact this generation and beyond in Helena.

WE CHALLENGE YOU TO SHARE FINANCIALLY

Starting a church is never a small endeavor, but we believe God is calling us to this task. In particular, it will take significant funds to create the types of environments we believe will impact this technological, media-driven generation.

While we have already been blessed with a number of financial partners, both churches and individuals, we need to raise at least an additional $1000 per month in one, two, or three year commitments of monthly gifts.

For startup funds, our goal is to raise a minimum of $90,000 for our public launch and grand opening. That includes stuff like technical and a/v equipment, administrative needs, signage, printed materials, kid's ministries, curriculum, and a host of other stuff.

We want to be a burning bush – something out of the ordinary that catches the attention of a city. No matter how large or how small, we dare you to dream with us how your monthly support or one-time gift could impact the lives of many people who are far from God.

To find out how to donate click here.

Read Get Involved: PRAY
Read Get Involved: SHARE
Read Get Involved: JOIN
Read Get Involved: TELL

Get Involved: JOIN

In our recent Informational Meeting, we explained four challenges to personally get involved – to step out of the boat that you are in and take an active role in what Jesus is doing outside the boat to impact this generation and beyond in Helena.

WE CHALLENGE YOU TO JOIN THE LAUNCH TEAM

You may not live here in Helena and God may be nudging you to move. You may have been disconnected from or hurt by your church years ago and He may be calling you to get involved with a different kind of church.

We are a new community of faith that is not safe and comfortable, but a dangerous church — taking risks by boldly following Jesus.

Much needs to be done in the months before our public launch and we are still looking for people to join with us in Helena as part of our Church Planting Team. Your involvement as part of this team will involve four essential expectations...

• SERVE | To serve strategically in Planting Team meetings to publicly launch the Encounter worship gatherings

• PARTICIPATE | To participate in an Encounter LifeGroup (small group) or discussion

• INVEST | To invest your life into those far from God, both personally and through Encounter community impact and awareness events

• GIVE | To give financially during your commitment with Encounter

If you have a passion to see those of this generation experience a life changing relationship with Jesus — God may be calling you to join with us in planting Encounter Church and changing the spiritual landscape of Helena.

To contact us click here and we'll talk more over coffee or a meal.

Read Get Involved: PRAY
Read Get Involved: SHARE
Read Get Involved: JOIN
Read Get Involved: TELL

Get Involved: TELL

In our recent Informational Meeting, we explained four challenges to personally get involved – to step out of the boat that you are in and take an active role in what Jesus is doing outside the boat to impact this generation and beyond in Helena.

WE CHALLENGE YOU TO TELL EVERYONE

We know that while some of you live near us, others live half-way across the country. All of you, regardless of your involvement can be part of our team. As you read our blog and prayer updates, you are still part of what we're doing here.

We ask that you tell everyone you know of these crazy people who are starting a church for this generation and beyond in Helena – especially those 20s and 30s who haven't found church to be relevant and essential to their lives – a church for people who don’t like church.

• You can send your coworker to the website at encounterhelena.org.
• You can bring a friend to our Encounter Discussions.
• You can pass out some of our awareness cards.
• You can give someone our contact info to find out more.
  

Read Get Involved: PRAY
Read Get Involved: SHARE
Read Get Involved: JOIN
Read Get Involved: TELL

Wanna Start A New Church in Helena?

Last week, we held our first-ever Encounter Informational Meeting at the Placer Center, downtown in the Helena Walking Mall. The May 28 event was an opportunity to share our strategy to impact this generation and beyond – to invite others to "step out of the boat" and join in with what Jesus is doing in Helena.

A lot of our friends meeting for the Encounter Discussions at the Staggering Ox really stepped up and helped make the Informational Meeting a success – Thank you guys!

Highlights of the evening for me were hearing from others what a church like Encounter in Helena means to them. It was fun to answer Encounter questions from text messages sent during the meeting for Q&A. And finally the door prizes were just plain cool – powerful little red LED flashlights (think burning bush).

THE CHALLENGE
We challenged the nearly 30 people that attended to:

PRAY regularly
SHARE financially
JOIN the launch team
TELL others.

I will be posting what these mean and adding links over the next week. For now, I suggest you check out the "Hot Topics" and "Encounter Links" in the sidebar to the right.

FROM THE MEETING
Our worship is edgy and engaging, our culture is relational and outward focused, and our theology is grounded in the Scriptures. We seek to be a burning bush that captures the attention of a city – something out of the ordinary that draws people in, so that they can hear the voice of God.

FIND OUT MORE
We are following up with people right now. If you missed the meeting and want to know more about Encounter Church and how you can help launch a new church here in Helena, send us an email. We'd love to get together with you and just talk.

View some pre-event photos here.

Encounter Informational Meeting: A Burning Bush - May 28

Like a burning bush, something has been set on fire deep within your soul - a passion that longs to be unleashed. Not a lukewarm and watered-down religion, but a calling to take hold of a passionate and life-giving relationship.

Encounter is not a safe, comfortable, and predictable church, but a new community of faith boldly following Jesus. Reject the status quo and ignite your passion for a powerful and authentic faith as we share our strategy to reach this generation and beyond through this new church plant in Helena.

Curious? Want to know more? Know someone who might resonate? Please join us for this special Informational Meeting. Come find why Encounter will be unlike any other church in Helena.

WHAT IS AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING?
We are hosting this event to share the vision, mission, and strategy to publicly launch Encounter Church to reach this generation and beyond. We will identify who we plan on reaching as we give a taste of how Encounter will be different and how we're addressing a desperate need in Helena.

We will also explain the opportunities and expectations involved with joining the Encounter Launch Team and other ways you can help. Light food and drink refreshments will be available as you arrive. After the planned presentation, there will be a question and answer time.

WHERE IS THE EVENT?
We are planning to hold the Informational Meeting in the Placer Center Lobby, the historic Placer Hotel in the downtown Helena Walking Mall district (just South of Taco Del Sol). A parking structure is located East the building and should be available at no cost.

PLEASE BRING A FRIEND
So please join us on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00pm. And if you have a friend that you think might resonate with Encounter, we're asking that you not only invite them - come together.

HELP THE HELENA FOOD SHARE
We would also like this event to help the Helena Food Share. So if you are able, please bring at least one non-perishable food item later delivery to the Food Share.

WHAT: Encounter Informational Meeting | Bring a friend
WHEN: Thursday, May 28 @ 7:00pm
WHERE: Placer Center Lobby | 21 N. Last Chance Gulch
REGISTRATION: RSVP not required, but helpful. Click here.

Check out the Facebook event here.
No Facebook? Click here.

Servolution Details Available!

More details are now available about what we're doing for the 7 DAYS OF SERVOLUTION IN HELENA!

Here is the website:
7days.encounterhelena.org

SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE
Thursday, April 2 — To start the week, we will deliver gift baskets to show appreciation to volunteers/workers that serve the Helena community. [Facebook event here]

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY
Tuesday, April 7 — During the week, we help make the walking mall more attractive for everyone in Helena by washing storefront windows. [Facebook event here]

For more information on how you can donate items and get involved, read the website details here. [Facebook event here]

Make sure you are a part of the Servolution this April 3-9. Join with us now!

Join The Servolution!

This April 3-9, Encounter Church will be taking part in 7 Days of Servolution, a week devoted to sharing God’s love and changing lives through simple acts of kindness.

We’re encouraging groups and individuals throughout Helena to take on this challenge and get creative with grass-roots efforts to serve our community.

There are four things you can do to get involved right now:

1. GET THE WORD OUT. Let everyone know about 7 Days of Servolution and encourage them to get involved. You can tell them to visit 7days.encounterhelena.org and that we're inviting everyone to share simple acts of kindness each day from April 3 to April 9.
2. DISTRIBUTE FLYERS. You can download and duplicate the flyers and resources from the website and distribute them all over Helena.
3. GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED. We challenge you to take the opportunity to personally share at least one simple act of kindness as an individual in each of the seven days.
4. JOIN IN A GATHERED EFFORT. To start the week on April 2, we will "serve those who serve" by delivering gift baskets to the volunteers/workers of an organizations that serve the Helena community. During the week on April 7, we will gather to "serve our community" by making the walking mall more attractive for everyone in Helena and washing storefront windows. We need people and donations so click here for more.
   

To get the full details on the 7 Days of Servolution in Helena, visit the website at 7days.encounterhelena.org.

JOIN THE SERVOLUTION!

The Servolution is Live in Helena

Here it is. The new 7 DAYS OF SERVOLUTION IN HELENA website is live!

7days.encounterhelena.org

These 7 Days of Servolution in Helena an effort of individuals and groups partnering together and reaching out to our community through simple acts of kindness for the soul purpose of expressing the love of God.

Make sure you are a part of the Servolution this April 3-9. Join with us now!

Join Us For '7 Days Of Servolution' In Helena!

As a young church plant, it seems difficult to be able to make a significant impact in our community. We don't yet have a large base of people to mobilize. We don't yet have a sufficient financial backing.

At the same time, engaging culture is an essential part of who Encounter is and who we want to be. Our weekly discussion group has suggested that we be positive agents of change within our city and community.

With this in mind, I've been perplexed about how to serve Helena right now ... until this afternoon when I visited the 7 Days of Servolution website. 7 Days of Servolution is a coordinated effort to join with individuals all over the nation and the world to share God's love and change lives through simple acts of kindness.

Go and check out the website now, then come back and continue reading.

The idea is to choose one day between April 3 and April 9 to organize a service project for your community (the week before Easter). The website lists many ways churches and individuals can get involved – for all sizes of groups and all budgets.

A 7 DAYS OF SERVOLUTION IN HELENA
Let's make these 7 Days of Servolution in Helena an effort of individuals that represent many churches. It's about partnering together and reaching out to our community through simple acts of kindness for the soul purpose of expressing the love of God to people in our community. You can participate regardless of what church you may attend.

We invite you to participate in at least one of two ways:

1. Personally Share One Act Of Kindness Each Day
   
   Let's make this effort true to it's name by taking a full 7 days to serve our community. We challenge you to take the opportunity to practice at least one simple act of kindness as an individual in each of the seven days.
   
   One idea is to purchase a coffee for the person behind you at the coffee shop. Be creative! There are virtually millions of things we can do. Imagine if our neighbors all over Helena noticed a difference That one single week from April 3-9!
   
   
2. Join Together For One Gathered Effort With Others
   
   Let's join together for a single, gathered effort to share God's love through a coordinated simple act of kindness. We are meeting together to brainstorm and plan what exactly we will do and when. We will then post the details here.
   
   If you would like to join us for the brainstorming and planning meeting at 6:30pm on Friday, March 20, click here for more.
   
   

JESUS CAME TO SERVE, NOT TO "SELL" THE FAITH
Since the focus of this effort is on showing God's love through service, our goal is not necessarily to promote specific churches or to evangelize people. Just as Jesus came to serve, not be served — we, too, will be sharing the heart of Jesus by our actions through simple acts of kindness alone. Instead, let's focus our efforts on inviting everyone you know to get involved — regardless of whether they are from your church or are even a follower of Jesus.

Make sure you are a part of the Servolution this April 3-9 as we share God's love through simple acts of kindness so that lives can be changed through the power of Christ.

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Who Will Launch Encounter Church?

This last week, myself, Andrea, and other church planters here in Montana had a strategic round table to discuss some steps of the church planting journey. It got me thinking about about our current phase as we seek to develop the Encounter Church Planting Team.

Originally we were calling this the "Core Group," but as we've discussed this term with individuals and fellow church planters, I begun to see this term as counter-productive to the healthy establishment of a faith community. That's why I've gone back and changed the terminology in a couple of our recent posts here and here.

Here is a clearer explanation of who will launch Encounter Church and how these teams overlap and fit together.

THE CHURCH PLANTING TEAM
The Church Planting Team are those people that will form, serve in, and launch a new church plant. They will gather for Planting Team Meetings to explore, discuss, and determine foundational systems of Encounter Church in the context of our vision, mission, and core values. Involvement in the Encounter Planting Team involves four essential expectations.

• To serve strategically in Planting Team meetings to publicly launch the Encounter worship gatherings

• To participate in an Encounter LifeGroup (small group) or discussion

• To invest your life into those far from God, both personally and through Encounter community impact and awareness events

• To give financially during your commitment with Encounter

THE LAUNCH TEAM
Individuals from the Church Planting Team and others will then move forward as a Launch Team with specific strategies toward the public launch of the worship gatherings, small groups, and outward focus environments. The primary purpose of the Launch Team is to strategically serve in at least one ministry team for worship & technical, setup & breakdown, kids & students, groups, or community impact.

THE EXTENDED CHURCH PLANTING TEAM
Our Extended Church Planting Team are those other friends and family here in Helena, throughout the country, and around the world who are helping to launch Encounter Church. They include the following...

• Individuals, sponsor churches, and coaches from our church planting network.

• Our growing intercessory prayer team. Those people who have become prayer partners and are praying regularly when they receive our regular email prayer updates. To sign up, click here.

• Individual financial partners who have chosen to support us and the Encounter launch through one-time or monthly gifts. To find out how to help us financially, click here.

• Other individuals who are telling everyone they know of these crazy people they know who are starting a church for this generation in Helena. Let people know about Encounter by sending them to the website here at encounterhelena.org or passing them our email or cell phone number. If you contact us, we'll even get you some of our new Encounter Church awareness cards.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE TEAM
These are the “early moments” of a movement within Helena to lead a generation into a growing relationship with Christ. If you haven't already thought about it, we challenge you to seriously consider being part of our team.

You may feel led to join one of our teams on an ongoing basis or you can choose a specific time frame like 12 or 24 months. If you resonate with our vision and feel that God is calling you to getting involved with Encounter Church, please let us know by contacting us today.