Monday, December 28, 2009 2010 Is Going To Be Off The Hook!

These holidays mark our first Christmas and New Year for Encounter Church. While we have been planting Encounter for less than a full year, many things have been accomplished — we are building the foundations for a strong, edgy, and dynamic faith community simply devoted to following Jesus.

Efforts to be a burning bush in our Helena community have been directed and empowered by God's guidance — and we desire nothing less for 2010!

As the lead pastor and church planter, I am devoting this week to a special time to seek God's will for Encounter in the new year. Will you join me?

I will be asking important questions like ... Are we moving in the right direction? Do we have the right people in the right roles to help us move forward? Are we focusing our time and resources on the right priorities?

I can already tell you that we are super excited for what God has in store for Encounter in 2010. And there are at least three simple things we will be doing as we seek to catch the attention of our community and see people moving forward in a growing relationship with Jesus.

1) Encounter God: Planning for Launch

We will make plans and preparations for our grand opening. There are several key roles that have yet to be filled for a successful launch team. We are passionate about what God will do in Helena through Encounter and are seeing awesome people come forward who desire the same.

2) Experience Community: Meeting and Growing Together

We will meet regularly for Friday Night FWD to connect with others, encounter God in worship, and engage in some essential discussion of life and faith. In addition, we will launch our LifeGroups with the intention of multiplying into more as the year progresses. We will continue to learn more about, and live out what it means to follow Jesus in tangible and dynamic ways.

3) Engage Culture: Being The Change

We will engage our culture by meeting needs and sharing God's love in tangible ways in our community. We've already been making an impact and will continue to do so. As part of the Helena community, we desire to help make a difference for others while also seeing a change in the spiritual landscape.

What You Can Do

You too can be part of what God is doing in Helena. Do you know friends who are struggling with life or faith? Are you struggling to find a place to fit in and just be yourself? Want to journey with others and find out more about what it means to follow Jesus?

Our dream is to see Helena changed in a positive way. We desire to see broken families restored, struggling lives renewed, and new hope offered to those who are ready to give up. We want to be a burning bush, something out of the ordinary, that catches peoples attention so that they can encounter the hope of God.

Do you resonate with this dream? Do you want to know more? You don't have to join us in a formal capacity, we just invite you to check us out. Let's have coffee. Come join us for Friday Night FWD. Come serve the community with us this month. You just may find that this Encounter movement is what you are longing to be a part of.

Contact us to talk more...

Check out a little of what has happened in 2009 with the following links:

Encounter Happenings on the Encounter Helena Blog
Encounter Videos on YouTube
Encounter Photos on Picasa

Saturday, December 26, 2009 A Family Christmas: 12-18 Afterburn

Here are some photos of decorations and setup for our recent Friday Night FWD: A Family Christmas on December 18, 2009. It was a family oriented event designed to allow people to share time with their loved one while discovering the heart of Christmas and giving the gift of 'presence'.

We decorated pine cone ornaments and Christmas cookies and both were a big hit. We also had a holiday music sing-a-long. We ended the evening with a telling of the Christmas story from Luke 1-2 and then sang Silent Night together by the light of our cell phones. It was a great celebration!




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

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity

Christianity was never intended to be a noun. And when we turn it into a noun, it becomes a turnoff. Christianity was always intended to be a verb.

Finishing my advance copy of Mark Batterson's new book Primal, I find myself encouraged and challenged.

I feel the heart of the Christian faith, primarily Jesus, is missing in many of our churches and it is encouraging to realize that I am not the only one that has noticed. But it is challenging to realize that it is not enough to recognize something is missing — and that this generation is responsible to rediscover the love of Christ

In Mark 12:30, Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

This 'Great Commandment' is the primary focus of Primal and Batterson's approach is simple and holistic. Taking from this verse, he covers four dimensions of what it means to love God: heart, mind, soul, and strength.

I continue to appreciate Batterson's writing voice as I did with his two previous books, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase. Both are excellent. Primal does not disappoint, bringing to light some great insight. As with his previous books, Batterson's illustrations shed great light on spiritual truths.

Unlike some other great authors I enjoy, Batterson has a great way of expressing truths in a way that does not divide. While offering rebuke, and pointing out shortfalls in today's church, I think he does so without alienating. And instead, Batterson offers bold challenges. I guess what I am saying is that Primal is accessible to a larger audience than say, authors Rob Bell or Erwin McManus.

Before posting, I briefly peeked on Facebook to see what people might be saying. Batterson is thanking people for such kind reviews of Primal, but my response is the same as another reviewer — as long as Batterson keeps writing such great books, I'll keep writing good reviews. Check Primal out on Random House's website here.

As usual, let me share a few of Primal's impacting truths:

THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY

• You cannot listen to just half of what the Holy Spirit has to say. It's a package deal. If you aren't willing to listen to everything He has to say, you won't hear anything He has to say.
• Minds often remain closed to truth until hearts have been opened by compassion.
• What does it mean to love God with all our heart? It means that our heart breaks for the things that break the heart of God. It means that inaction is not an option...
• What if, instead of sound quality or lyrical creativity, our litmus test for worship was a heart that breaks for the things that break the heart of God?
• Anytime you put an adjective in front of the gospel, you distort the gospel.
• Like love, faith is sometimes measure in dollars.

THE SOUL OF CHRISTIANITY

• Is it possible that we've settled for a god who fits into the constraints of our logical left brains instead of the God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can imagine with our right brains? Is it possible we've studied the God of logic without truly worshiping the God of wonders?
• Some things cannot be learned. They can only be revealed. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to use by his Spirit."
• The older someone gets, the more it takes to fill the soul with wonder.
• We dissect scripture instead of letting scripture dissect us.
• I think many of us doubt scripture simply because we haven't done it. The way master a text isn't by studying it. The way you master a text is by submitting to it. You have to let it master you.
• The goal of knowing the Bible isn't Bible knowledge. The goal of knowing the Bible is knowing God.
• Most of us are already educated way beyond our level of obedience.
• Just like the Septuagint or King James Version, your life translates Scripture into a language that those around you can read.

THE MIND OF CHRISTIANITY

• Somewhere along the way, most of us stop living out of imagination and start living out of memory. We stop creating the future and start repeating the past. ...Why? Because we stop learning.
• He doesn't just want you to worship Him with you memory. He wants you to worship Him with your imagination.
• God wants to sanctify every part of your mind for His purposes: sanctified logic, sanctified intuition, sanctified imagination, even a sanctified sense of humor.
• The church ought to be the most curious place on the planet. It ought to be a safe place where people can ask dangerous questions. but all too often we're guilty of answering questions that no one is even asking. We ought to be challenging the status quo, but all too often we're defending it.
• God doesn't just want you to worship Him. He wants you to know why you worship Him.
• To know Him is to love Him. And if you don't love Him, it's because you don't really know Him.
• His answer to our questions isn't knowledge. It's a relationship. And that relationship is the answer to every question.
• To become more like the Creator is to become more creative.
• Lack of faith is not a failure of logic. It's a failure of imagination.

THE STRENGTH OF CHRISTIANITY

• Taking out the garbage is romantic. Why? Because love isn't measured by word spoken. Love is used by calories burned.
• Christianity was never intended to be a noun. And when we turn it into a noun, it becomes a turnoff. Christianity was always intended to be a verb.
• And the end of the day, God isn't going to say, "Well said, good and faithful servant." There is only one commendation when everything is said and done: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
• I wonder if we're so afraid of doing the wrong thing that we never do the right thing...over-analysis always results in spiritual paralysis.
• If you try to logically figure out the will of God, you'll never take a step of faith. Why? Because the will of God is not logical. It's theological.
• Faith is not faith until acted upon.
• I've learned that when I think Jesus is wrong, it actually reveals what's wrong with me.
• Those who follow in the footsteps of Christ ought to be the most passionate people on the planet.
• Most church problems don't come from an abundance of sin but rather from the lack of vision.
• Without His power, we become nothing more than theological Christians. Our testimony is reduced to our words. Our impact is reduced to our abilities. And not only is that less than exciting, it's wrong.
• Loving God with all your strength really means loving Him with all his strength...In and of ourselves, we're not capable of loving God. We cannot manufacture love for Him. We can only respond to His love for us.
• Religion is all about doing things for God. Christianity is all about receiving what Christ has done for us on the cross. And what we do for God is a reflection of and a response to what God has done for us.
• All of us love miracles. We just don't like being in situations where we need one. But that is a prerequisite. You will never experience the power of God unless you put yourself into a situation that necessitates it.
• "The impact that God has planned for us doesn't occur when we're pursuing impact. It occurs when we're pursuing God." (Phil Vischer)

Monday, December 7, 2009 A Friday Night FWD Family Christmas

We know that the Christmas season is a busy one. Trees to buy, homes to decorate, lights to hang — not to mention work Christmas parties and kids' pageants. It's difficult to cut back on all these things, but what we can do is make some time together with our loved ones.

SHARE PRESENCE THIS CHRISTMAS

Join us for a special Friday Night FWD Family Christmas on Friday, December 18 @ 7pm to share a fun and memorable evening and encounter the heart of Christmas with your family or with that someone special. Give more of yourself this year by spending less time in the "hustle" and give that precious gift of relationship.

Don't miss this opportunity to:

  * Create some fun ornaments with the kids
  * Help decorate some yummy Christmas cookies
  * Sing some or your holiday favorites together
  * Share the wonder of the original Christmas story
  * All in a casual atmosphere for FREE!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As part of the Advent Conspiracy, you will also have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child who has never experienced Christmas. Just $3.50 will provide a gift package for a child and their family in the Philippines who has never before received a Christmas gift in their lives. The opportunity will be available but not required, but we challenge you to sponsor one, two, or more gifts as you can.

LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW

We need your help in getting the word out about this event. Invite some friends and personally let people know about it. You and your family don't want to miss it! You can click on the image for a JPG or download a PDF flyer here.

Also, if you want to volunteer to help for the event: we need undecorated cookies baked, people to decorate, supplies for ornaments, someone to share the Christmas story, people to help set up, and more. Let us know if you can help.

JOIN US THERE

We'll meet at the Big Sky facilities at 8181 Avocet Drive. Go North on Montana Avenue past Bob's Valley Market at Lincoln. Then go about two more miles and turn left on Avian Road. Make one more quick left and you are there. Look for the Friday Night FWD signs.

WHAT: A Friday Night FWD Family Christmas
WHEN: Friday, December 18, 2009 @ 7pm
WHERE: Big Sky Facilities, 8181 Avocet Drive, Helena [map/directions]
WHO: You, Your Kids, Your Special Someone
FLYER: Download here

RSVP to the Facebook event here.

Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully

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

"It starts with Jesus. It ends with Jesus. It’s a season where we are called to put down our burdens and lift a song up to our God. It’s a season where love wins, peace reigns, and a king is celebrated with each breath. It’s the party of the year.

Entering the story of advent means entering this season with an overwhelming passion to worship Jesus to the fullest."

We've already talked about spending less and giving more this Christmas by giving of ourselves. Giving relationally mean giving more. We've also talked about loving all. By spending less on at least one less frivolous gift this year, we will be able to give a gift that truly makes a difference. Just $3.50 provide a Christmas gift for a child that has never received one.

Embrace these concepts and you will encounter Christ's Advent like never before. You will find yourself making a tangible difference in your family, community, and the world. And you will be more free to worship fully!

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

We now challenge you to bring these concepts together and join us for a special Friday Night FWD Family Christmas. It will be an opportunity to give more of yourself through that precious gift of time and presence with your loved ones.

We invite you to come and create some ornaments with your kids or that special someone. Help decorate some yummy Christmas cookies. Sing some holiday favorites together. And then share the wonder of the original Christmas story.

After all, it's the party of the year.

More details here, but for now, you are invited to join us on Friday, December 18 @ 7pm. Share a fun and memorable evening and encounter the heart of Christmas with your family.

This is your opportunity to enter the story and worship fully. Enter the Advent Conspiracy.

Sunday, December 6, 2009 Friday Night FWD: 12-04 Afterburn

Last week's Friday Night FWD was a unique opportunity to connect with new friends in a casual atmosphere with great worship and real discussion about life and faith.

This week we started by getting acquainted over coffee and snacks. We spent the first 15 minutes or so talking, sharing some Apples to Apples cards, and enjoying coffee, hot chocolate, and our trademark Tootsie Pops.

Then we continued with a great band — a little edgy and a little loud. Honestly, our musicians rocked! If you want to get involved next time let us know. There is room for different musicians and leaders each time.

Finally, we got into a great group discussion. Now at Encounter, we're just a group of people who are struggling and learning together what it means to follow Jesus, so that's what our first series of topics revolves around.

This week we focused on "The Main Thing: Why Jesus?" We talked about why Jesus came and discussed whether we really need a savior. We also looked at the birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18-21 and while it wasn't really a Christmas discussion, it tied in nicely with the Advent season.

Our next gathering will be Friday, December 18 @ 7pm for A Friday Night FWD Family Christmas. Friday Night FWD then resumes every other week starting on January 15.




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

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Friday Night FWD - This Friday, December 4 @ 7pm

You have already been hearing a lot about Friday Night FWD. You've seen the posters around town. Maybe even a friend told you or gave you a flyer. Come join us this Friday at 7pm.

What Is It About?

It's an opportunity to connect with friends in a casual atmosphere where you can be yourself. There will be some great music and some real, authentic group discussion about life and faith.

What's Gonna Happen?

This week we will start by getting acquainted over coffee and snacks. Then we'll continue with a great band; a little edgy and a little loud. Finally, we'll get into a great discussion as a group. Now at Encounter, we're just a group of people who are struggling and learning together what it means to follow Jesus, so that's what our first series of topics will revolve around. This week, we're gonna focus on "The Main Thing: Why Jesus?" We'll look at why Jesus came and discuss whether we really need a savior.

You Can Help

We need your helping in getting the word out about Friday Night FWD. You can also help us keep on the lookout for different musicians who might want to get involved one or more weeks. We want to keep it fresh with some variety. And of course, it would be sweet if you would invite some friends, let people know about it, and personally you don't wanna miss it yourself! You can click on the image for a JPG or download a PDF flyer here.

This Week's Location

This week we're gonna meet at the Big Sky facilities at 8181 Avocet Drive. Don't know where that is? Go North on Montana Avenue past Bob's Valley Market at Lincoln. Then go about two more miles and turn left on Avian Road. Make one more quick left and you are there. Look for the signs.

More about Friday Night FWD here.