Over the last couple of days, we have come across a number of people that are still unclear about what Encounters is and what it is not. In an attempt to help clarify, I want to offer the following details:
Encounters is the name that we have given to a very large outreach program here at the United Methodist Temple. Currently, there are a number of different ministries that are occurring under the "Encounters - an outreach of the United Methodist Temple" label.
#1 - Saturday evenings we are having a worship service (currently taking place about every other week, but scheduled to be weekly after the first of the year). This is a third worship service at UMT and is open to EVERYONE. The service follows a different order of worship and has a different style and feel to it, but it is a worship service that is open to anyone that wants to come. At this service, we preach a relevant gospel message that is applicable to everyone. This is not, I REPEAT IS NOT, just a service for folks in recovery. This is a service for anyone wanting to grow in their relationship with Christ (just like any other service here at the Temple).
#2 - On Thursdays we are offering a Bible study that we are currently calling Midweek Encounters (but the name is subject to change) that discusses the 12 steps of recovery from a biblical perspective. Because the steps came out of the scriptures we feel that they have some relevance to all Christians whether they are in a 12 step program or not. We believe that the 12 steps are 12 steps to a life of freedom in relationship to Jesus Christ and as such, everyone can benefit from studying them. Very basic Christian principles are at the heart of these steps. Things like honesty, faith, hope, love, confession, amends making, etc are all taken directly from the scriptures. These are things that all Christians are directed towards. As such, this class is open to anyone that wants to explore the relationship between the scriptures and the steps as it relates to their lives.
#3 - Came to Believe is the name of our Christian 12 step meeting that is specifically directed towards people in recovery. It operates like any AA, CA, NA or other 12 step group, but is open to people wrestling with any kind of addiction. This is a place where we can hold one another accountable to our programs of recovery and process what is going on in our lives from week to week. It is also a place where we do not have to check our relationship with Christ at the door.
#4 - Random Acts of Kindness are just our ways of being missional and evangelistic. Maybe a better way to put it is that these are additional opportunities to reach out to our community with the love of Christ. Sometimes this means taking care packages to families waiting in ICU, while other times it means working on a house (painting, etc). Through small gifts of service we are able to share the love of Christ with people in our communities.
#5 Lifegroups - Because the larger faith community meets on Saturday evenings, they miss out on Sunday school opportunities. Lifegroups is the small group version of Sunday School. These groups get together to pray for one another, study together, and serve together. These little communities help keep people from becoming disconnected in the larger community of faith here at the United Methodist Temple.
I hope that these descriptions have been helpful. I would ask that you do me a favor: if you are still unclear about any of the new outreach ministries or about our new worship service, please ask. It is important that everyone know and understand what is happening. With the right information, we can help direct people to the best fit for their worshiping and growing needs here at the Temple. To meet with me or find out more information about these happenings, please call the church office or email me at acts242@hotmail.com.
Many thanks and many blessings,
Russell
Showing posts with label Came to Believe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Came to Believe. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Encounters Update
This past Saturday (July 11th), we launched our first Christian 12 step meeting called Came to Believe. The meeting was both well attended and well received. Finally, Port Arthur has a 12 step group where Christ is central to the recovery process.
This meeting is an ongoing meeting that takes place every Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. and we want to encourage everyone to help spread the word about this fantastic ministry. If you know of someone that may be interested they can contact Russell in the church office for more information or to pick up flyers for the meeting.
This is just another step in our process toward launching a 3rd service and a larger recovery ministry here at the United Methodist Temple. The larger ministry, known as Encounters, is beginning to take on a life of its own. Much has been done in the past month to further the process along, but there is still much to do.
If you have heard about Encounters and wondered how to get more information or get plugged in, then this is for you:
This coming Thursday (July 16th) at 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting an Encounters launch team meeting in the Life Lessons room at the Temple. The meeting is open to everyone, whether you are just seeking more information or are looking for somewhere to serve; all are welcome.
This week we will take a closer look at our upcoming schedule of events and get updates on what teams are forming and what some next steps are to stay on track for our target launch date of January 9th, 2010.
Come join the excitement and see what God is doing here at the United Methodist Temple!
This meeting is an ongoing meeting that takes place every Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. and we want to encourage everyone to help spread the word about this fantastic ministry. If you know of someone that may be interested they can contact Russell in the church office for more information or to pick up flyers for the meeting.
This is just another step in our process toward launching a 3rd service and a larger recovery ministry here at the United Methodist Temple. The larger ministry, known as Encounters, is beginning to take on a life of its own. Much has been done in the past month to further the process along, but there is still much to do.
If you have heard about Encounters and wondered how to get more information or get plugged in, then this is for you:
This coming Thursday (July 16th) at 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting an Encounters launch team meeting in the Life Lessons room at the Temple. The meeting is open to everyone, whether you are just seeking more information or are looking for somewhere to serve; all are welcome.
This week we will take a closer look at our upcoming schedule of events and get updates on what teams are forming and what some next steps are to stay on track for our target launch date of January 9th, 2010.
Come join the excitement and see what God is doing here at the United Methodist Temple!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Recovery at the Temple
We believe that love, mercy, grace, redemption, and reconciliation are at the heart of the gospel. With this in mind, we want to continue to be intentional about meeting people where they are at and providing resources and opportunities for them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
To that end we would like to introduce you to a new outreach at the United Methodist Temple.
On July 11th, we will launch our first Christian 12 step meeting called Came to Believe.
This meeting utilizes the 12 steps, principles, and promises that are a part of other 12 step organizations (that were originally birthed out of a Christian organization known as the Oxford Group), but recognizes that the God of our understanding is found in the triune God whose face is Jesus Christ.
This group is open to all regardless of what the issue is that we wrestle with. This is because although we have found that our behaviors of choice may manifest themselves in a variety of ways (codependence, alcoholism, drug addiction, food issues, sex, gambling, cutting, relationship issues, and so on), we have discovered that the underlying causes of these issues are quite similar. Additionally, we have discovered that there is but one solution - a growing relationship with Christ.
If you or someone you know is looking for a safe place to process and work through these various issues, we invite you to join us for Came to Believe!
Here's the 411:
CAME TO BELIEVE
What:
A Christian 12 step meeting focused not on the differences of our dependencies, but rather on the healing and wholeness that is offered to us through Jesus Christ.
Who:
For anyone looking to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ while journeying the 12 steps of recovery.
When:
Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Beginning July 11, 2009
Where:
The United Methodist Temple
4101 Highway 73
Meeting will be held in the Life Lessons Room
(Just look for the signs near the East entrance of the church)
For more information (including directions to our facility) contact Russell at the church at (409) 962-5762.
To that end we would like to introduce you to a new outreach at the United Methodist Temple.
On July 11th, we will launch our first Christian 12 step meeting called Came to Believe.
This meeting utilizes the 12 steps, principles, and promises that are a part of other 12 step organizations (that were originally birthed out of a Christian organization known as the Oxford Group), but recognizes that the God of our understanding is found in the triune God whose face is Jesus Christ.
This group is open to all regardless of what the issue is that we wrestle with. This is because although we have found that our behaviors of choice may manifest themselves in a variety of ways (codependence, alcoholism, drug addiction, food issues, sex, gambling, cutting, relationship issues, and so on), we have discovered that the underlying causes of these issues are quite similar. Additionally, we have discovered that there is but one solution - a growing relationship with Christ.
If you or someone you know is looking for a safe place to process and work through these various issues, we invite you to join us for Came to Believe!
Here's the 411:
CAME TO BELIEVE
What:
A Christian 12 step meeting focused not on the differences of our dependencies, but rather on the healing and wholeness that is offered to us through Jesus Christ.
Who:
For anyone looking to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ while journeying the 12 steps of recovery.
When:
Saturday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Beginning July 11, 2009
Where:
The United Methodist Temple
4101 Highway 73
Meeting will be held in the Life Lessons Room
(Just look for the signs near the East entrance of the church)
For more information (including directions to our facility) contact Russell at the church at (409) 962-5762.
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