The Current - Decisions from River Leadership Meeting

...we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith. - 1 Thessalonians 3:10

Wednesday evening The River elders, staff, and deacons met and the following is a concise list of the decisions:

1. We have decided to postpone our gatherings on Sunday's and Wednesday's until further notice. We will keep you updated on FaceBook, Instagram, and regular emails.
2. Sermons and worship will be available on our website - therivermh.org.
3. We are currently working on providing an avenue for online giving.
4. Staff will be providing regular emails for spiritual encouragement.
5. Elders, deacons, and staff are always available to minister to your needs; please feel free to contact Eric at 870-421-4341 or Jon at 870-421-3821 or call 870-607-0912 for the leader on call.

Dear River Family,

Wednesday night, the elders, deacons, and staff met and made some decisions regarding the future gatherings of The River Bible Church. At this time, we have made the decision to cancel all gatherings at The River until further notice. While we understand that each of us may have different opinions as to how we should respond to the coronavirus outbreak and the current circumstances, we believe that one way to truly love one another is to refrain from physically gathering at this time.

God's timing is perfect in all of this. This past Sunday, we saw in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 Paul's prayer that he might see the church of Thessalonica face to face and supply what is lacking in their faith. Paul expressed his deep desire to Help others know and follow Christ (make disciples). But notice what he said in chapter 2, verses 17-18 - But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered us.

Well, with the coronavirus at hand, I pray that our hearts will be much the same as Paul's. We will truly miss gathering together to worship and encourage one another in the faith. Yet, while we will not be gathering physically on Sunday's for worship and Sunday School, the preaching of the Word and worship through song will be made available on our website (therivermh.org) under "Sermons". I would like to encourage us in a few practices:

Gather as a family Sunday morning in the living room and begin with prayer. After praying together, listen to the sermon together. Following the sermon (Lord willing) will be worship through song. Sing along and worship the Lord together through song. Talk about the sermon - What did you learn about God today? How did the Scripture encourage or convict your heart? How can we pray for one another in light of what we have heard? Close your time giving thanks to the Lord and praying for one another.

Many of us will be brokenhearted over missing our time together in Sunday School. I want to encourage us to stay connected through FaceTime, emails, phone calls, and texts. Keep up with one another, minister to each other through word and deed, and if there are needs that reach beyond the means of your class, contact an elder, staff, or deacon. We want to carry one another's burdens in the days approaching.

I would like for us to continue in discipleship or establish a discipleship relationship at this time. Discipleship - Knowing and following Christ and helping others do the same for the glory of God. Therefore, I would like to encourage us in another practice: FaceTime! We have more of an advantage than Paul did in his time.

Arrange a time or two throughout the week to continue your discipleship over FaceTime. Pray together, read the scripture together, encourage one another in the faith.

I was the first to think about how awkward this might be, but for the last 3 months, I have been coaching a church planting pastor in Russellville via FaceTime. I have never met this fellow physically face to face, but we spend 45 minutes on FaceTime twice a month. God has truly used our time together to encourage one another in the Lord. The awkwardness will soon wear out. I promise.

As your pastor, I would like to share my heart regarding The River. We are The River Family, a local expression of the body of Christ. God has gathered us (very specific people) to grow in Christ and further His kingdom. He has laid on our hearts that we are to do this through Exalting Christ, Equipping the Saints, and Expressing the Love of Christ. God has kindly reminded us that we are to make disciples - Knowing and following Christ and helping others do the same, for the glory of God. While there are many wonderful preaching/teaching pastors reaching out to many through TV and video, my heart is to equip The River Family through teaching and preaching so that we as The River Family would reach out to our local community and world with the gospel of Christ.

So, Wednesday evening, we looked at a number of options to get the sermon and worship to the body, and for now, we decided the best way for us to do this would be through audio on our website.

The other item of discussion Wednesday evening focused on tithes and offerings. It is our desire to continue to support local ministries and ministries in Canada and Haiti, while continuing to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of The River Family. A team is working on providing an online giving option through our website. Currently, the giving options are the following:

Mail in a check to The River Bible Church, P.O. Box 2413, Mtn. Home, AR, 72654 Set up an automatic draft with your bank.

If you have any questions or needs, please contact an elder, deacon, or staff member. May our hearts be the same of Paul, Silas, and Timothy - we loved you so much, not only did we share with you the gospel of God but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Grace and Peace,

Eric