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.

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.

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.

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.