“A true follower of Jesus never becomes accustomed to the sound of footsteps headed for hell.”
Sunday, I shared that I’m praying to see RiverStone “thrive in ‘25”. The statement resonated with many in the congregation. January will see several events that are meant to help us see where we are, where we are going, and some of how we are going to get there. January is our time launch into our new year and strategies that are designed to stir us to thrive in ’25.
Vision is often shrouded in mystique. But it is simply how to get from “here” to “there”. You have been promised information about our finances and that will be included, but I’m going beyond to share other vital information with you about our journey from “here” to “there”. This is scheduled January 26 after a Sunday luncheon.
January will prove to be a busy month. January 11 & 12 we are hosting Dr. Tom Fuller who will be sharing with us on Saturday about the format that helped create the spiritual revival and sustain it for over one hundred years. His “methodology” is timeless. John Wesley referred to them as class meetings and bands. Where it is being used today is still the standard bearer for the process of spiritual growth. Then on Sunday, Tom will bring us a taste of “Methodist Worship” by sharing a presentation on Charles Wesley and many of the hymns he wrote. Amazingly, these two elements go hand-in-hand. Maybe, more like hand-in-glove.
January 26 we will have our meeting which will help prepare the Personnel and Leadership Team for our January 28 meeting with our Presiding Elder, Darren Skinner. Well, two meetings with Darren. The first will be a joint Charge Conference with River of Life and Aztec churches. The second will be just with the folk in the two previous teams. The thrust of our meeting is to have a conversation about where RiverStone is, ministry strategies, and hear from him about future pastoral supply. Do not think by this that my departure is imminent. Given the state of pastoral supply, eventual succession will likely be an extended process. This meeting is simply to begin the conversation with Darren and the Conference.
That’s January. There is more to come in February! For these and our future ministry offerings and events and planning, BE IN PRAYER!!!! One significant factor in the early church’s astonishing impact was prayer.
I pray that as we Love, Follow, and Serve Jesus , we will thrive in ’25!
Loving you in Jesus!
Pastor Brian
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