VISION BOOK 2011
THE CALL
I left Mid -America with an interest in church planting but an even more passionate heart for evangelism. I fully intended to instill the principles of church planting in the students I served. I wanted to make them keenly aware of God’s global vision. Over the last 7 years of ministry, I have led students to partner with church planters and pastors of established churches in strategic areas. Through these mission partnerships, God began to stir my heart to the possibility of leading a planting effort. In November of 2009, after much prayer and many family discussions, I surrendered to the call God had placed on my life to strategically plant and reproduce churches so that the name of Jesus will be known among the nations. After surrendering to the call, the next logical questions were: Who is God calling us to serve? What should this church be like in order to reach these people most effectively? The search was on. Within a few months we had prayerfully ruled out some regions and targeted cities strategically based on growth. As the search went on, God led us to consider the lostness of Greenville, SC. Greenville is one of the largest and most rapidly growing cities in South Carolina. Although we never anticipated planting so close to home (evidenced by the miles I put on my automobile), we believe God has set us apart for this work and led us to this point in our lives “for such a time as this”. God has given me a vision for a church equipped to reach the most unchurched of this geographic area: 18 to 40-year-olds of all races. Greenville is poised at this time in history to produce a culturally reflective church “shining like stars in the universe” as we “hold forth the word of life” to Greenville and to the world.
jonathan day
THE CALL
What has now become my dream, God originally planted as a thought. I had been attending Mid-America Seminary for about 4 weeks when the topic of church planting came up. I knew that new churches had been started, but had never considered how important they were in spreading the Gospel. During my evangelism classes, Founders Days, chapels, & missions conferences the idea of church planting was continually before me. Through my time at seminary I learned the biblical nature of church planting and its vital role in New Testament evangelism and discipleship.
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Doing WHATEVER IT TAKES FOR PEOPLE TO BE RADICALLY TRANSFORMED BY CHRIST.
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THE CALL
For EnCountEr to bE a ChurCh that is authEntiC, EngagEd, and growing*
"These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also.�
THE CALL
For GrEEnvillE South Carolina to bE turnEd upsidE down by thE tEaChings oF JEsus.
StratEGIC AIM SEPTEMBER 2011
To effectively launch a new church in Greenville, SC on the third Sunday of September 2011, with 175 people in average weekly attendance during the month of October.
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WHY ANOTHER CHURCH?
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To many, Greenville may seem to be “churched”, in the middle of the “Bible belt”, or “have a church on every corner”. It’s even home to universities like North Greenville, Furman and Bob Jones, all of whom claim Christian values. This begs the question: Why does Greenville need another church? Consider these statistics. An estimated 77% of the people in Greenville County do not attend any church on Sunday. Therefore, out of approximately 450,000 people in the county, 346,000 either do not know Jesus as Savior or are disconnected from a church body. If you factor in the people from the remaining 23% who attend congregations which are distinctly non-Christian, or those who claim membership but seldom if ever attend, the number of lost, unchurched, or dechurched people could be as high as 400,000! It’s obvious by these statistics that Greenville is not as “churched” as many think. Subtle change is in large part to blame for our misconception of Greenville’s spiritual state. In 1900, there were 27 churches for every 10,000 Americans. In 1950, there were 17 churches for every 10,000 Americans. In 1996, there were 11 churches for every 10,000 Americans. Greenville is no exception to the growing American population and subsequent decline of churches per capita. It’s true that there are more churches today than 100 years ago - twice as many, in fact. But since 1900, the population of the United States has increased by nearly 400 percent to 300 million people. The total US population is estimated to reach over 400 million in the next 40 years. Church planting has not kept up with population growth. Many cities like Greenville have experienced a great diversification as part of its population boom. Sadly many churches in transitional communities no longer reflect the community that surrounds them. Most existing churches have not adjusted to reflect the changes in their communities. Greenville is a strategic city for reaching the south and the world. Greenville has become an international city. With companies like Michelin, Bosch, and BMW locating plants in Greenville, the city has made a transition. An article in Carolina Living magazine sums up that transition: “Although Greenville was once known as the textile capital of the world, that’s no longer true. It has transitioned from a mill village labor force to a city with international flavor, in terms of residents, jobs, festivals, special schools (French and German), culture and cuisine.” The concentration of universities also makes Greenville strategic. Furman University, North Greenville University and Bob Jones University call Greenville Home as well as the 3rd largest school in the state, Greenville Technical College. Greenville Tech trails only Clemson University and the University of South Carolina in enrollment. Ironically, many graduates of those universities will relocate to Greenville to pursue their career. God wants the world and he is going to use Greenville to get it.
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CREATIVITY
We serve a creative God, we creatively worship him as God, and creatively point others to God. We innovate and passionately create to give glory to God and further His kingdom. (Exodus 35:31-32, Genesis 1-2, Ephesians 2:10)
Intentionally Missional We intentionally seek to reach all of our neighbors regardless of man-made difficulties related to culture, language or race. (Exodus 35:31-32, Genesis 1-2, Ephesians 2:10)
Axiom: God is Colorblind
Axiom: Logging Sky Miles
Constant Improvement
Relevant Environments
We are not, in our current state, all that we can become as a church or as individuals. We constantly learn from others as a church and incorporate new methodologies. We constantly seek to learn about Jesus and his word. We constantly strive to improve on every area of ministry and life in order to glorify God, lead more to Christ, and improve the joy of those with which we are in community. (Proverbs 1:5, 2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 19:20)
Because of cultural distortion of the true Gospel, many people have rejected Christ, the church, or the Bible based on incomplete beliefs. We seek to be students of our culture and teach the Gospel in a way that is most easily understood and accepted by our culture while not compromising God’s eternal truth. (I Corinthians 9:22, Acts 17:16-34)
Axiom: Leaders are Learners
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Axiom: When in Greece‌
Audacious Faith
Outsider Focused
Axiom: Living the Christ Life
Bigger and More Complex.
We are more concerned with the No God-sized dream has ever people we are trying to reach than come to pass without big risk, the people we are trying to keep. audacious faith, and bold action. The vision and values of the church God has called us to dream dreams are not for sale, for rent, or only he can accomplish. for compromise. We will not cater (Hebrews 11:6,CREATIVITY Matthew 17:20, Missional We7:7, serve a creative to personalIntentionally preferences, or demands. Matthew Matthew 11:12)God, we intentionally seek to reach all of creatively worship him as God We will not We trade the mission, vision, Axiom: Big Hills are Only our neighbors regardless of man made nd creatively point others to God. or purpose for thirty pieces of silver. Taken with Bold Moves difficulties related to culture, We innovate and passionately (Mark 2:17, Luke 19:10) language or race. create to give glory to God and Axiom: The (Exodus Church35:31-32, is the Only Genesis 1-2, further his kingdom. Organization that Exists for Ephesians 2:10) (ExodusCommunity 35:31-32, Genesis 1-2, Authentic Those Who Aren’t Part of Axiom: God is Colorblind When we experience the loving, Ephesians 2:10) it Yet. supporting, real life Logging relationships that Axiom: sky miles the church offers, the healing of our lives begins. We not only need Excellence a place to receive that kind of love and support, but also a place we can Through Simplicity Constant Improvement Relevant Environments give it to others. (Hebrews 10:25, The church offers theofbest product We are not in our current state all Because cultural distortion of Romans 15:1-13, I Corinthians 12-13, in the world.the Thetrue lostGospel, of our many culturepeople are that we can become Philippians 2:1-4) as a church or equate the quality of a Christ, church the church, as individuals. We constantly learn have rejected Axiom: We Need Us environment theBible quality of our from others as a church and andtothe based on incomplete we create incorporate new methodologies. We message. The environments beliefs about how these things and the effort we give areWe highseek to be constantly seek to learn about Jesus affect them. quality in order to honor and and teach and his word. We constantly strive students of ourGod culture Loving People not be a stumbling block to Our abundant Jesusarea is the to improvelife oninevery of ministry the Gospel in athose way that is who are lost ormost immature. In order result hisinlove forto usglorify when God, lead andoflife order easily understood and to ensure quality, we will focus on a while not we didn’t deserve it. We him the joy more to Christ, andmodel improve accepted by our culture small number of environments in by of generously others those weloving are incommunity with. compromising God’s eternal truth. order to(I have large impact. when they it most (Proverbs 1:5, need 2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 1:7, Corinthians 9:22, Acts 17:16-34) (Ecclesiastes 9:10, Colossians and deserve13:10, it least. Proverbs Proverbs 19:20) Axiom: When3:23-24) in Greece… Axiom: Any Fool Can Make Things (1 John 4:9-10, Romans 5:8) Axiom: Leaders are learners
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Our TEAM Encounter Church
Jonathan Day is the Lead Pastor of Encounter. Along with his wife Veronica, they previously served in student ministry for 12 years. Jonathan is a native of Easley, SC and came to know Christ while attending Siloam Baptist Church. He is a graduate of Wren High School, North Greenville University, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. After seminary he returned to Easley to serve as a Student Minister at Rock Springs Baptist Church, where he served until October 2010. Jonathan and Veronica are the proud parents of twins, Max and Naomi.
JONATHAN DAY lead pastor Kellan Monroe is a Worship Leader for Encounter. He is a native of Easley, SC and graduate of West Oak High School. He is pursuing his bachelors degree from Anderson University and travels with the worship group “Beyond the Ashes� based in Nashville, TN. Kellen has a heart for worship and leading others into the presence of God.
KELLaN MONROE worship leader Greg Gillespie is the Executive Pastor of Encounter. He has served alongside his wife in the student ministry at Rock Springs Baptist Church, where his relationship with Christ began. Greg graduated from Easley High School, attended Clemson University, and is currently studying at Andersonville Theological Seminary. Greg also works for a commercial concrete company, while his wife Bridget is a teacher at St. Andrews child development center. They have two daughters, Reagan and Meredith.
GREG GILLESPIE executive pastor
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our approaCH Encounter Church
tEAM APPROACH TO TEAM MINISTRY We feel it is vital to the success of any church to incorporate a ministry team approach in reaching the city. Jesus sent his disciples out in multiples to work as teams. This approach is modeled by Paul and Barnabas, as well as the host of partners Paul took with him on his church planting journeys. Solomon clearly establishes the wisdom of team effort in Ecclesiates 4:12 when he states “…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” A team concept will allow us to reach more people more rapidly and establish momentum in a shorter period of time.
CHILDREN Part of our ministry focus is to reach young families. A high quality children’s ministry is vital to reaching people at this stage of life. A children’s ministry done with excellence will create a situation in which children, in effect, bring their parents to church. Also, no matter how great an experience parents have, they will not come back if their children did not enjoy their experience. We will not hold back in providing clean facilities and an experience for children that is highly interactive and engaging.
RElEvant EnvironmEntS We want to capture people’s attention to present them with the life-changing truths from Scripture. One key to capturing people’s attention is relevant environments. In order to achieve this excellence, we cannot afford to cut any corners when choosing equipment for multimedia. We need to have the best in order to present the best. The multimedia equipment must reflect the level at which we want to communicate. Every part, whether audio, video or announcements on screens, must be able to captivate the person watching and listening. In order to create excellent, relevant environments, the equipment must be available to create an unforgettable experience.
PERMISSION MARKETING To impact a non-believing culture it is critical to imitate Christ in the area of service. He came not to be served but to serve. To win the hearts of those he would save. He loved us in order that we might love Him. Our desire is to consistently show the love of Christ through ministry, service and generosity and in so doing, win some to Christ. We desire to build relationships and gain the trust of the community on their turf, modeling Jesus’ priestly incarnation. Events would include block parties, dorm parties, serving at sporting events, events at local parks, sponsoring community events as well as many other creative ideas.
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Our BELIEFS Encounter Church
The Bible – The Bible is God’s word to all men. It is the revelation from God about Himself concerning us. It was written by men under inspiration of the Holy Spirit and therefore is infallible without any mixture of error. It is accurate in its teaching of eternal truths and is the ultimate guidebook for daily living. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-2:4:12, 1 Peter 1:25, 2 Peter 1:19-21)
God – There is one God who exists in Trinity.
The Trinity is one God who has eternally existed and will continue to eternally exist as three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Spirit – who are each fully and equally God. God is creator and ruler of the universe. (Deuteronomy 4:35, Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22, Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19, I Peter 1:2, II Corinthians 13:14)
God the Father – God the Father is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. He reigns with providential care over the universe and the flow of human history goes according to His purposes and plan. He has eternally existed with the Son and Spirit as God. (Exodus 3:14; Numbers 23:19; Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; Psalm 11:4-6; Malachi 3:6, John 3:16; 4:24; 5:26; 14:1; Acts 17:28; Romans 3:3-4) God the Son – Jesus is God’s Son. He has eternally existed with the Father and Spirit as God. God became man and dwelt among us. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross and rose again. The purpose of this was to atone for the sin of all those who will come to him by faith and receive the gift of salvation, thereby reconciling the believers relationship to God and each other. He will return again to reign as King of Kings for all eternity. He is fully human and fully God, simultaneously fully possessing both natures. (Matthew 1:22-23, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1-5; 14:10-30, Hebrews 4:14-15, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, I Timothy 6:14-15, Titus 2:13, Colossians 1:15-20) Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity. He has eternally existed with the Father and Son as God and is fully God. He guides men into all truth, exalts Christ, convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment, cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, bestows spiritual gifts by which believers serve God and edify the Body of Christ, and seals believers unto the day of final redemption. God indwells the believer at the moment of salvation. He regenerates their heart and seals the believer guaranteeing future glorification. (II Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13; 14:16-17, Acts 1:8, I Corinthians 2:12; 3:16, Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 5:25, Ephesians 5:18)
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Eternity – Man was created to exist forever.
He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence. (Isaiah 59:2, John 3:16, I John 2:25; 5:11-13, Romans 6:23, Revelation 20:15)
Humanity – Mankind was created as special image bearers of God. Together with all humanity we bear God’s image as we serve, enjoy, and elevate one another selflessly as God does within himself as Trinity. Man’s chief end is to worship his creator God. Through rebellion against God our relationship to him and to each other has been broken and sin has entered the world and corrupted every part of man. He is incapable and unwilling to again serve God out of his own desire. Each person is uniquely created by God, bears God’s image, and is therefore valuable. (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7, 18-22; 3; Psalms 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18, 23; 5:6; 6:6; 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19, 21-22; Ephesians 2; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11) Salvation – God loves humanity and because man is unwilling and incapable of righting the broken relationship between himself and God, God gives salvation to all those who have faith in Jesus and the work he accomplished on the cross on their behalf. Because of the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross the believer is put in right standing with God. Jesus is the mediator, the ransom, the wrath bearer, the justifier, the redeemer, the atonement, and the righteousness of anyone who responds to Him in faith and repentance, which reconciles the believer to God and frees him from the penalty of sin. (Isaiah 1:18; 53:5-6; 55:7; Matthew 1:21; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24;Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-18;3:23-25; 5:8-10; 6; 1 Corinthians 1:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:24-28; Revelation 3:20)
Eternal Security – Because God gives eternal life to the believer through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is given by the grace of God, without regard to the merit of the believer. God does not take salvation away based on the merit of the believer. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. Jesus will not lose any who the father has given him. (John 10:29, II Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14, I Peter 1:3-5, John 6:37) The Church – The church is a local community of baptized believers whose grounds for community is faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. The church is the Body of Christ, functioning together to carry out the will of Christ on earth who is the head. Christ desires his church to be devoted to his teachings, make disciples, worship him corporately, further the gospel to the whole earth, and sanctify one another as the future bride of Christ. (Matthew 16:18-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-47; 5:11-14; 13:1-3; 14:23; 16:5; 20:28; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:10-12; 5:22-32; Colossians 1:18; 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 21:2-3 11
November 2010
2010‐2011
- Begin securing fulltime lead pastor salary using the Campus Crusade strategy - Begin securing start up budget through Covenant Partner giving, partner churches and other partner organizations. - Begin the process of moving into the target area - Begin establishing a Core Team - Seek affiliation with the South Carolina Baptist Convention - Complete the business aspects of the church as a non-profit corporation
December 2010
- Master plan completed - Explore all meeting place options
January 2011
- Have core established - Continue fundraising - Begin organized Core team meetings and development - Begin delegation of responsibilities for church systems
February 2011
- Support teams completed (prayer and financial) - Meeting place secured
March – September 2011
- Go public to the community through advertistising and ministry events (i.e. dorm parties, block parties, infusing community events, school partnerships etc.) - Monthly preview services begin - Casting vision through Life groups and community Bible studies - Identify and develop key leaders - Design and delegate responsibilities for public launch
Sunday September 18th, 2011
- Launch public services with at least 200 in attendance - Continue to build momentum after launch through big days, marketing and outreach. - Assimilate people into covenant partnership through the partnership class, Life Groups, and service.
Personnel * ……………………………………………………………............$230,000 Marketing/Outreach ..……………………..………………………………$84,000 Children …………………………………………………………………….........$30,000 Building Rental ……………………………………………………………......$45,400 Environments/Start up …………………………………………………..$45,000 Core Development ………………………………………………...……….$12,000 Administration ……………………………………………………...……......$12,000 Total Two Year Budget
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$458,400
*A portion or all of each staff members salary will be provided through the contributions of individuals. (Lead Pastor, Worship Arts Pastor, Executive/Groups Pastor, Children’s Pastor)
* Support us in your prayers. * Serve on a mission team to our church.
ENCOUNTER CHURCH
* Financially support Enounter by giving $50, $100, $150 (or another amount) per month.
* Financially support Enounter by giving $500, $1000, $1500 (or another amount) per month. * Prayer support both churchwide & through classes. * Send mission teams to partner with us in outreach events and promotions as well as for volunteers for Sunday ministry. * Lead individual classes or groups to give to or provide specific items. * Add one of our staff to your payroll or provide insurance for them and their family.
Email: hello@encounterchurch.com Phone: 864-238-5928 www.encounterchurch.com
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