Saturday, September 11, 2010 40 Days of Prayer & Impact: 29 Days to Launch

Today, there are 29 DAYS before the Encounter Grand Opening on 10-10-10. We are asking you to join us in what God is doing and is going to do in these last 40 days.

Pray with us. Act with us. Imagine the impact we could have in Helena if each one of us is individually involved in making Helena a better place. Imagine the lives that could be touched. Imagine how the spiritual landscape of our community could be changed even BEFORE the grand opening.

The Church is Not a Building

Today, we are looking at Luke 10:2 ...

"...The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Starting a new ministry is an interesting endeavor. Many people like to observe. Many people like to see the benefits and results of a dynamic, life-giving ministry — but few actually break away from the status quo in their lives to be involved in making it a reality.

The truth is that "changing the world" is not spectator sport. Worship gatherings, community impact, and LifeGroups are not shows or performances to enjoy, but rather opportunities to get involved and be the change.

The Church itself is not a building. It is not a once-a-week event. The Church is a people drawn together under one cause — Jesus. And because Jesus builds His Church, He knew that "workers for the harvest" would be few. Jesus knew that many would observe, but even fewer would take action.

"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

TODAY'S PRAYER

So simply, today's prayer is for God to send "more workers into the fields." Let us pray for those whose heart breaks for the things that break the heart of God. Pray that others would be motivated to action through God's Spirit. Also let us pray for people to go beyond interest, beyond observation, and move forward to become a part of something greater than themselves — a unique, creative, and authentic community of faith called Encounter.

TODAY'S IMPACT

As we focus on workers for the harvest, my thoughts move to public places around Helena like the Farmer Market. Right now, I am preparing to meet a couple of people to give away FREE Tootsie Pops at the Farmers Market. (You can join us at 10:30am today if you are reading this early.) We're going to initiate some casual conversations, form some new friendships, and invite people to know Encounter better.

Your challenge today is the same. Initiate some conversations, build some friendships, and invite people to know about Encounter better. Essentially invest yourself in others to that they can encounter God in a new, fresh, and tangible way.