Friends of The River,
Well, these past two weeks have been an exciting, yet very
uncertain time in the life of this fledgling little church-plant in Ellensburg.
For the past 18 months, in the midst of a seriously difficult time for the
American, not to mention worldwide economy (can I get an amen?)... The River Church of
the Nazarene has been learning how to stand on its own purely as a
self-supporting, self-sustaining, self-funded, self-aware Christian ministry.
And like a wobbling newborn calf struggling to stand up, it has not always been
pretty, but I do believe we are beginning to gain some strength in our
spiritual legs.
But Jesus calls us to do more than stand, right? At some
point, almost every infant that was ever born grows bigger and stronger to
become a toddler – learning how to walk, even run to where they desire to go.
During our worship service last Sunday, my good friend Jim Carlson came to talk
to us all about dreaming big dreams, overcoming the American religious disease
of consumerism, carefully analyzing our priorities as kingdom citizens, and
learning what it means to honor the Sabbath Day as cross-bearing, modern-day
Christ-followers. Then a representative group our church board presented some
factual, yet troubling and eye-opening numbers with everyone present. Certainly
not your typical worship service!
Essentially, we as the pastor and his family have come to
the conclusion – with God’s help – that we can no longer underwrite such a
significant portion of the church’s ministry. Either by faith or by ignorance (or both), we have managed
to dig a financial hole that threatens to bury us if we continue down that path
– which is definitely not the path of good stewardship or good citizenship.
Trust me though… we certainly recognize the amazing generosity of some people
that call The River their home. If it weren’t for a few deeply loyal families
investing sacrificially and keeping this church financially afloat, our church
would definitely not have been able to stay here as long as it has. But as a church body, The River has never been what would be generally
considered an overly giving church… at least, not so far. But (hopefully
anyway) our story together is not yet finished being written. Not even close.
In the next few days, “members” of The River (actually we have no formal
membership at this point) will receive a letter explaining our need for “pledge cards” to be
filled out and turned back in to the board by Sunday June 17. If you are a frequent visitor, and have any love for the church that is The River, then I
implore you to read the letter very carefully, pray unceasingly, talk with your
significant other (when applicable), and fill out the pledge card as an act of faith,
knowing that the future of our crazy, mixed up, often dysfunctional… and yet
wonderfully awesome church body is directly tied to the larger group’s
financial commitment from this point forward.
We have big dreams, goals and vision for this little corner
of the world. We want to be a vessel for God to bring revival and brilliant
light to a lost and wounded… and dark place. But before we can fly on wings
like eagles… first, we’re going to have to learn how to walk and not be faint.
A significant breakthrough is right there for the taking. I know it is. It’s in
our grasp, and most of us can feel it in our bones.
But let's be honest - it will take a
seriously giant act of faith on our part. Aren’t you glad we serve a God who
does miracles? A God who provides? A God who know our heart… and loves us
anyway? A God who calls His people, empowers them to share the kingdom message,
and destroys the enemy who roams the earth seeking to steal and kill and
destroy? Let’s not let the enemy win. Let’s keep this adventure going. Let’s be
like Peter, who, upon seeing Jesus walking on Lake Galilee said, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking
on the water.” And he did! Okay, it’s true… he only took a few steps before he
began to sink like a lead balloon… but think about it… Peter WALKED ON WATER!!!
Wouldn’t you like to do that just once in your life? Wouldn’t you like to defy
logic, and the law of gravity, and all doubt, and confound the senses… by
reaching out in faith and following Jesus?
You can. I believe we’re at THE
pivotal time in the life of our church. We can either step out of the boat and
walk, like Peter. Or we can stay in the boat like the other disciples, and
never know what it’s like to really live in that moment. God doesn’t call us to be safe… He
calls us to live dangerously. The question is… do we have what it takes to
obey?
Also, if you consider yourself to be a
friend of The River, and would like to help ensure that we can meet our
financial mandates by “pledging” an ongoing monthly amount with us, or through a
one-time gift to our church – please let me know and I’ll be sure to contact
you... with glee. Again, our all-important deadline is less than two weeks away, June 17.
Thank you everyone, for giving my
family the high privilege of serving these past five years as the pastoral
family of The River. Regardless of what happens from here… may the seeds that
have been planted through this experience continue to spread, take root, and grow
to become mighty oaks of righteousness in this place… and spread to the outer
parts of the world!
Amen… may it be so!
