River Church - Chattanooga Tennessee

Last week we started looking at what the Bible says about Prayer.  In our discussion we gained a better understanding that prayer is our way of having conversation with God.  Conversation, not a monologue.

We’re continuing the “Prayer Is. . . ” study, this week as we look at the fact that prayer is an act of faith.   As I’ve been studying this thought today I’ve reflected over some of the prayers I’ve prayed that I distinctly remember God answering.  Prayers of provision.  Prayers of healing.  Prayers of wisdom, guidance, peace.

Do you remember a specific prayer that you have prayed that God has answered?  Tell me about it:

I read earlier today that a church that is not a praying church is a dying church. Prayer is the life source of the church, its our way of constantly communicating our absolute dependence on God.  That’s why we’re taking our first few weeks of meeting together, and laying a foundation of prayer for RiverChurch.  We’re taking time to pray together, but more importantly we are gaining a better understanding of what “prayer is” from the perspective of Scripture.  If we’re gonna do it, we gotta undertand it.

Tonight was a great night as we read through Scripture looking at prayer as our way of conversing with God, not just giving him our laundry list of things to do for us.  But actually engaging in dialogue with the Creator of the Universe.   It was so refreshing to share insights with one another as we read Scripture together.  Afterwards we took some time to pray on our own, then together as a group.

Its awesome watching our young community grow together, learning more about each other and growing together in our faith.  We actually took our first offering tonight as well.  Our expenses are already growing but we decided to designate our first offerings for a ministry project in the city this summer, helping purchase backpacks for kids in lower income schools.  It was beautiful watching people’s faces light up last night as we talked about ministry opportunities and the ways that we will be involved in those opportunities.

Things are actually moving at a very good rate for RiverChurch.  In some cases faster than I anticipated.  So we’ll see where God takes us from here.  One thing is for sure, its gonna be a fun ride.

Hope you can be with us next week for another look at what “prayer is. . . . “

The question was like a glass of cold water in my face.   I was talking to some family members, laying out MY timeframe for starting up RiverChurch.  I had a date for our next VisionMeeting, a date for our first LaunchTeam meeting, and a tentative date for our official launch.  When my wife’s 85 year old Grandmother asked, “what are you waiting for?”  Well I fuddled around with an answer, as best as I could, and moved on to another subject, but her words kept echoing over and over and over in my head:

“What are you waiting for?”

So we went about our business, got up this morning to go to church, and in the back of my head I could still hear that annoying question on repeat over and over and over and over and. . . .you get the point.

As I listened to that question, I began to realize that I’ve been moving forward with this whole church planting thing with a very scientific, calculated, human efforts approach.  I’ve been trying to plan meetings, events, and strategy planning sessions, mean while the clock keeps ticking, the sun rises and sets, wrapping up another day.  And today, someone else needs Jesus.  Today, someone needs hope.  Today someone needs to find a group of people who can provide a safe place where they can be encouraged and strengthened in their faith.

Now the calendar for RiverChurch has a weekly prayer time starting tomorrow (Monday) night, then the following Monday a VisionMeeting, then in August our first official LaunchTeam meeting and all of those dates are still on, but I think its time to pull the trigger.  Its time to move forward, without delay.

So, tomorrow, Monday June 1, 2009 at 7p will mark the first official WEEKLY meeting of RiverChurch Chattanooga.  We’re going to devote our first couple of months to prayer.  Praying for the City of Chattanooga, RiverChurch and the planting process.  More importantly we’re  going to pray for one another.  We’re going to pray for miracles, for healing, for salvation, for deliverance, for God to work wonders in the lives of the people who are gathered, and that’s what we’re going to do consistently for the next couple of months.  After that, we’ll see what God says next, but for now, this is where we are beginning.

So let me be the first to invite you to the first weekly meeting of RiverChurch tomorrow night.  We’ll be at 1934 Bay Pointe Drive, Hixson, TN 37343.  Email us at riverchurchchatt@gmail.com if you need directions or more information.

Next Monday (June 8 ) will still be our VisionMeeting at the Tennessee Riverpark Pavillion at 7p, and our regular weekly meetings will pick right up again on June 15.

“What are YOU waiting for?”