Saturday, November 28, 2009 Advent Conspiracy: Love All

The true story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and revolutionary love.

"When Jesus loved, He loved in ways never imagined. Though rich, he became poor to love the poor, the forgotten, the overlooked and the sick. He played to the margins.

By spending less at Christmas we have the opportunity to join Him in giving resources to those who need help the most."

We challenge you to buy one less gift this year or even one less latte this week, and you can help streetwalkers in Ecuador find a new life, point people toward God in India, or provide a present for a Filipino child who has never received a Christmas gift. It will be one unbelievable present in the name of Christ. Here's how:

FIRST CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR A FILIPINO CHILD

On December 19, 2009, Mt. Moriah Camp in Malaybalay City, Philippines will be having a Christmas party for the underprivileged children that attend their fellowship. You may know Jaxi and Nathan Howes who have been serving there in the last week.

Many of these kids may have never attended a party or received a Christmas present in their entire lives. Can you be a part of a blessing that will give meaning to their Christmas?

The camp is preparing 300 gift packages for the children and their families containing sardines, noodles, biscuits, candles, toothpaste, tooth brushes, clothes, soap, toys, and more. The cost of a package is just $3.50 each.

Will you sponsor one, two, or more Christmas packages before December 15? DONATE THROUGH ENCOUNTER HERE and be sure to mention that your donation goes to the "Mt. Moriah Camp".

A SIMPLE WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There are over 5,500 missionaries — as well as churches, volunteers, and local believers — that are finding creative ways to overcome spiritual and physical barriers and share God's crazy love all over the world.

In Ecuador, missionary Barbara Rivers helps street prostitutes escape a lifeless existence and discover that Jesus’ love isn’t for sale, but free. Just $3 a day can help Barbara lead these women in a u-turn that changes lives. [read more]

Amid India’s poverty, filth and noise, there is lostness. People there worship all kinds of so-called gods in a desperate attempt to cover their bases. Just $5 an hour helps a missionary named "Moses" point them toward the one true God. [view video]

With land almost too poor to farm and no electricity or running water, the villagers of this undisclosed location find strength in a legend that a “precious gift” would be shared with them. A missionary "Michael Martin" hopes to blanket this remote location with hundreds of cassette tapes. These tapes that share the "precious gift" of Christ are just $1 each. [view video]

We encourage you to help these missionaries make a difference. DONATE THROUGH ENCOUNTER HERE and be sure to mention that your donation goes to the "Lottie Moon Christmas offering".

We challenge you to enter the story of God's love. Enter the Advent Conspiracy.

Advent Conspiracy: Spend Less and Give More

The true story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and revolutionary love.

As we challenge you to worship fully this Christmas by spending less and giving yourself, I don't want you to think that we're "getting all Scrooge on you."

SPEND LESS

Let me be clear, I like gifts. My kids like gifts. But as we consider that America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas, think about this.

How often have you bought a gift out of obligation?

A nice tie for your boss. A tin of popcorn for your co-worker. Too often, we are giving and receiving gifts out of obligation — and that misses the entire point of Christmas. Our worship of Christ at Christmas has nothing to do with obligation, and everything to do with adoration!

After venturing out on Black Friday yesterday morning (later, not earlier), it is clear that we are too involved in the materialism of Christmas instead of the miracle of Christmas. That is why we are challenging you to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Choose your gifts thoughtfully and carefully as an expression of God's free gift to us, and allow yourself to be more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.

GIVE MORE

As we give away less things, it opens up the door to give more of that one thing that people so desperately need — time in relationship. Instead of giving that sweater that no one really wants, why not give our friends and family the gift of relationship. It can't be found at WalMart, or Target, or Bob Wards. Relationship is God's gift to us through Christ, and we can give back in the most memorable ways possible.

Why not write your mom a letter? Create and decorate some ornaments with the kids. Take a friend out for coffee and have a long conversation. Bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols. Click here and see what others have done to give more during the advent season.

And then finally, remember the money you didn't spend?

Why not take some of that money and help others experience the love Christ this Christmas? While there are many opportunities out there, let me suggest just a couple in the next article. Listen, nobody wants a Christmas worth forgetting.

We challenge you to enter the story of God's love. Enter the Advent Conspiracy.

Sunday, November 22, 2009 Enter The Story. Advent Conspiracy.

As Christmas quickly approaches, I begin to embrace those mixed feelings I experience every year. Excitement, anticipation, and joy are mixed with reluctance, increasing stress, and financial burden.

Even before truly following Jesus, I have always felt that our "celebration" of Christmas falls short of the world-changing event it was meant to be. The true story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and revolutionary love.

How did Jesus celebrate? Simple, He gave Himself.

We challenge you this Christmas to worship fully by spending less and giving yourself. And you will find that you are giving and loving more. Give one less gift this year, buy one less latte this week, and you can help streetwalkers in Ecuador find a new life, point people toward God in India, or provide a present for a Filipino child who has never received a Christmas gift.

Follow along in the upcoming articles this week as I share four simple statements behind a movement called Advent Conspiracy...

Worship fully.
Spend less.
Give more.
Love all.

I guarantee you that by giving yourself fully in these concepts this Christmas, you will encounter Christ's Advent like never before. And you will find yourself making a tangible difference in your family, community, and the world.

Enter the story. Advent Conspiracy.

View the video above or on YouTube here.

Untamed Truth: Night of Worship & Art Afterburn

It seems that Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art was a success! The place was packed with over 50 people. It's about all the place will hold so it was standing room only.

Despite that, it was a nice relaxed atmosphere and the band did great. Had a little snafu with sound system so we started a little late, but not a big deal.

There was some awesome poetry readings by Amber Olsson and Andrik Powell. There was also an amazing sketch artist, Andrew Giulio, who created an art piece the whole time. Just met him last week and just found out that he's legally blind and color blind. Wow!

People were also given a chance to create small artistic expressions throughout the night and then post them in a collage by the end of the night. I think people really got a opportunity to connect with one another and encounter God's creativity.

We heard a lot of comments that the music sounded amazing, the environment was so relaxed, people enjoyed themselves, and I hope they took away something about God's life-giving creativity.




You can find all the great photos on Facebook here.
Check out a Picasa slideshow here.

This night was a entry point and kickoff for a regular small to mid group gathering we'll be having every other week called Friday night FWD. We are already looking for musicians to get involved in one or more gatherings. It starts on December 4, so we could really use your prayer. So many people around here will come to an "event" like a Sunday morning service or a night of worship. But it is much more difficult help people connect for some ongoing spiritual growth.

Untamed Truth: Our God Is A Creative God

There is a deep connection between the creativity we express as humans 
and the creativity of God.

Because our God is a creative God.

And as “image-bearers” of God, as people who are created in His image, we too possess in all of us the ability to be creative.

But here is the problem.

In ancient times people thought of creativity not as something that someone had, but as something someone received from God as inspiration. To allow the creative spirit of God move through you. But we've lost sight of the potential for creativity that God places within us. We've become tamed, we've become civilized, and we've settled for status quo.

But Jesus challenged the status quo. He took Old Testament concepts and unleashed them with New Testament truths. He said this is the way you have been taught, but I offer a better way — a way that leads to an abundant life.

The problem is that we have begun to think of creativity as something that we ourselves possess. We've begun to say that person IS creative, rather than seeing creativity as a gift that flows through us as a vessel or conduit.

And it's unfortunate that we have done the same with our spiritual lives.

We look at good and Godly attributes and we begin to think of them as something we can possess. As something we can create in our personalities, rather than a gift of God that flows through us, as we are surrendered to His Spirit. We have selfishly begun to rely on our own will power to muster up these attributes. We rely in our own ability and we become prideful.

We can't do it on our own.

True creativity, true love, true relationships, and true freedom come through God's working in our life. It comes as we surrender to Jesus and allow His Spirit to create something new in our life — to make a new creation. So if you feel tamed, if you feel caged, if you feel like you've been chained by life as we know it — it's time to stop relying on yourself.

Remember that our God is a creative God.

Jesus specializes in creatively bringing new life from brokenness and helplessness. So lift up your hands and let him unchain you from the things in life you so desperately want to escape. Experience His creativity as He forms you anew from the inside out.

Thursday, November 19, 2009 Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art

You are invited to Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art. It is a community night of worship expressed through music, art, and word. Join us at Exploration Works on Friday, November 20 @ 7pm for a free, casual environment to explore Christian faith and connect with others.

This is part of an intentional and strategic effort to fill the gap that exists in Helena for end-of-day activities. At Encounter, we want to provide an opportunity for people to connect with others and encounter God in a unique, authentic, and creative way that is expressed through music, art, and creativity.

Join us just to participate in the worship. Or if you are a poet, painter, sculptor, or similar there may still be time to share your talent as part of the event. Just contact us for more.

Refreshments will be available. There will be no childcare for this event.

EVENT: Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art
LOCATION: Exploration Works, 995 Carousel Way [map/directions]
TIME: Friday, November 20 @ 7pm-8:30pm
COST: Free

Help Get The Word Out

Please help us get the word out about Untamed Truth. Please tell your friends. Let them know on Facebook and MySpace. You can event invite them to the Facebook event or download and print out some flyers in PDF format. Here are the links:

Facebook Event Page (link)
http://tinyurl.com/untamedtruth

Downloadable Flyers (PDF)
Full-Page Poster (5.5mb)
Half-Page Handouts (5.5mb)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 EncounterCast 11.17.09: Night of Worship & Art

This EncounterCast, we're highlighting this Friday's special event Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art. You are invited to join us at Exploration Works in Helena on Friday at 7pm for a night of worship creatively expressed through music, art, and word. You don't want to miss it!

View the video above or on YouTube here.

Thursday, November 12, 2009 Untamed Worship: Last Items In Place

As you may know, we've been putting together a one-night event called Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art. It will be a night of worship expressed through music, art, and word.

It has been amazing how God really helped everything come together and allowed this to happen. It's so exciting!

VENUE FINALIZED

I went down today to reserve the upper floor of the Exploration Works: Museum of Science & Culture. The folks at Explorations Works were really awesome to work with. It really is a cool room and will serve as a great canvas for creating the atmosphere of the evening. Below are some photos, but the exhibits will all be moved and cafe tables and chairs set up. We're planning on having coffee and refreshments.

Exploration Works was not our original choice, but I have to say it is probably better than anything we were thinking. Again, God knows better.

FUNDS RAISED

You may also know that we held a 24-hour Facebook fundraiser. We called, messaged, and emailed friends in order to ask for gifts from $25 to $50. Again, God took charge and we raised nearly all of our several hundred dollar goal in just 24 hours. Awesome! Thank you so much for everyone that contributed both here in Helena and around the country. We couldn't have done it without you!

The date of the event will be next Friday, November 20 @ 7pm. I would begin inviting everyone you know, but our goal is for each person to see at least two people come. If you would like to get involved, we need help for setup and breakdown from 5:30-9:30pm. Let us know if you would.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

I have linked some PDF posters and handouts here and on the other posts. If you can print some up at Staples for 59¢ a sheet, we could really use your help getting them out into the community. Finally, you can also let your friends know online. You can send them the link to this page. Or you can invite them through Facebook. These links are:

Facebook Event Page (link)
http://tinyurl.com/untamedtruth

Downloadable Flyers (PDF)
Full-Page Poster (5.5mb)
Half-Page Handouts (5.5mb)

Monday, November 9, 2009 Untamed Worship: The Momentum Continues

As you may have heard or read, we're putting together a one-night event called Untamed Truth: A Night of Worship & Art. It will be a night of worship expressed through music, art, and word.

Creativity and the arts are an important value of our group at Encounter, so such a night would will a great reflection of who we are. The idea is to pull from local talent and showcase different individuals in a group worship setting.

WHY WE'RE DOING IT

We met recently and discussed the purpose and details of the upcoming event. After some discussion we all agreed that Encounter wants to be intentional and strategic about filling the gap that exists in Helena for end-of-day activities. We have asked numbers of people lately what they do in the evenings and the consensus is "there IS nothing to do." We want to provide an opportunity for people to connect with others and encounter God in a unique, authentic, and creative way.

WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW

The musicians and singers that have been involved have been rehearsing over the last weeks and sound awesome! They are quite gifted, but also humble and authentic. I am personally excited to see some of these guys lead through the songs with their own style.

Finally, our planned venue is not working out. So we are looking for another venue that can facilitate this type of gathering. Join us at Exploration Works on Friday, November 20 @ 7pm for a free, casual environment to explore faith and connect with others.

Download Full-Page Poster here (pdf - 5.5mb)
Download half-page Handouts here (pdf - 5.5mb)

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Now is the time to bring it together. It's so important that people in our community not just attend this event, but actually participate in some way. It's the only way that this night of worship becomes a reflection of our community. So our question is simple. Can you help?

• Are you an artist? Do you paint? sculpt? Something else? There is still room to get involved. This would be a great way to get involved in something different.

• Do you write poetry? Lyrics? Stories? Again, share your inspiration with others in an alternative setting. We invite you to participate.

• Do you own or work in a place that would benefit from such an event? Do you have a connection that might help us pull this off? Let us know. Help make this happen and make a difference in Helena.

• Finally, can you help financially? Right now we are looking for just a few people who want to see such a night happen. People who want to see lives changed by a night of connection. A night of encountering Jesus in a unique, authentic, and creative way. If you can contribute with a $25 or $50 gift, it would only take 5 to 10 people to make an impact in our community, and FOR our community.

I am so excited about what's coming up. God is on the move! Contact us today if you can participate or help in some way.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 Little Tykes Trick or Treat: A Huge Success!

This last Friday, October 30, we partnered with walking mall businesses for the Little Tykes Trick or Treat event held in Downtown Helena.

Like our involvement with Downtown Helena's recent Kid's Fall Fest, serving parents and their kids is a great way to develop relationships and engage our community by impacting peoples' lives in a positive way.

SERVING BUSINESS OWNERS

First, we offered to help business owners decorate their store fronts. Decorating for Halloween can be difficult for business owners in the midst of all their other responsibilities. Shown here is the display for Lasso the Moon.

SERVING PARENTS & KIDS

Second, we created a decorated area in the walking mall (hay bales, scarecrow, etc) as a free photo opportunity for parents. Parents love to have photos of their little tykes dressed up for Halloween. But for parents who did not bring a camera, we partnered with local professional photographer Anthony Harden of Harden Photo-Graphics which is located in Helena, Montana. Visit his blog at blog.hardenphoto.com.

The photo opportunity was a huge hit! We had lines of 5-15 people throughout the day, snapping nearly 300 photos for 107 families. One photo every two minutes during the three hour event. Now we are in the process of delivering these full-resolution photos via email. No small task!

Since the event, we have been receiving emails thanking us for the great photos of their little ones, as well as thanking us for creating the opportunity in the first place. We are grateful to the Placer Management for sharing the need and partnering with us in this, and we want to thank Anthony Harden for all the time and effort he donated to this event.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We see this as just another way to be a church FOR Helena, not just a church IN Helena. We are eager to serve because it is another way to share God's love in a tangible way by "being the change." We invite you to Be The Change in Helena and join us in our next project at Encounter Church.

NOTE TO PARENTS: We have successfully delivered nearly 80% of the photos in two emails sends. If your child's photo was taken and you still have not received your photo, we suspect that our email has been 'blocked' or filed as 'junk/spam' by your email provider. We need you to contact us with 1) a verification of your email address, 2) a possible alternate address, and 3) a note that you have not received your photo.