Looking for Charter Members!!!

Well the news is out and the excitement is building! Johnston River of Life will be a New Chartered Congregation of the United Methodist Church on Easter of 2018.  We have been dreaming and building up to this point and are excited to say that the road forward has become clear and certain.

Our Mission Statement sets a clear path for us. “Being Christ in Community,” is a clear directive for every member to be a missional presence in the community and the world.

• We do not have a Church building, but we are prayerfully looking for a space that would provide a unique means of serving the community 7 days a week.  (If you are a dreamer we want to hear your ideas)
• We don’t have a large congregation yet, but we do have some of the most transparent and real relationships. (If you want to meet people who you can share your good and bad days with – look no further)
• We do as much service as we do worship. (If you think the Christian life should be lived in service – come and find out how you can get involved)
• We believe faith is about a journey that we are all on together.

We have an amazing team with a diverse set of gifts who empower and raise up other leaders. We have an exciting and growing number of children and families.  We are so blessed by a church community that is positive, supportive, encouraging, and focused on the mission.

That being said, I personally invite you to come and be a part of this amazing team.  Make a difference in your community and in the world.

• Attend a Life group, build supportive relationships and grow in your faith.
• Get your kids involved in H2GO (Hearts 2 Hear God, Hands 2 Help Others)
• Join a service team and help in the community
• Participate in worship or join the praise team
• Sign up for a mission trip or a Habitat Project
• Attend training events or special retreat weekends

We have a couple months in front of us that are filled with exciting activities.  If you are looking for a new faith community, now is the time to stop in and see what we are all about. Join us at any of the following:

Friday February 16th 6 PM – @ Crown Point in Johnston – Celebration of Ministries. 

Come and celebrate with us all the ways that we are already serving our community and developing disciples. If you are looking for way to get involved and get connected, this is a great resource event. If you are just looking to build relationships and connect with new friends, again, this is the right place.

 

LENT!!! – February 14 – April 1

   Get involved or Host a Small Group Please!!! Invite!!!

• 5 PM Worship, every Saturday
• 10 AM Worship every Sunday
• Life Groups at a variety of days and times.
• Work Project opportunities

During Lent we will focus on our mission statement, “Being Christ in Community” and who we are as United Methodists. Join a small group or just stay for twenty minutes after worship on Saturday to “Talk Back” to the Pastor.

Easter Weekend – March 31 @ Crown Point, Johnston 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

• Egg Hunt and Family Activity Day

Easter Day – April 1 @ Crown Point, Johnston 10:00 AM 

•  Worship & Chartering Rev. Heecheon Presiding
• This will be a MAJOR Event you wont want to miss!
• Please ask how you can help and make sure to invite!!!

Final Thought: This is the powerful and exciting moment of opportunity!!! We are birthing a New Church on Easter!!! Invite your friends, neighbors, and coworkers to join us! Tell everyone who may be looking for a church that we want them to be a part of something new and exciting and to experience the power of God with us in this time.  Keep praying for a community space, for ongoing open doors, and all the people and families who will become Charter Members of Johnston River of Life this Easter!!!

In Grace and Peace,

     Pastor Craig Ferguson

“I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church”

Last night and today I am sitting in a conference with Paul Nixon, the author of “I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church.” His book is a powerful look at choices that Churches make either actively or in the subconsciousness of their organized programs and ministries.  These choices make the difference between whether or not that Church is healthy and grow in the community, or picking out its plot in the local cemetery. Last night Paul stated that the way these questions are answered is constantly changing with the culture of our world and community.  He said, “A Facebook page for your Church is of vital importance to your Church’s ministry, possibly even more so than a a web page, because it connects to the web of social media streams that clearly fit more in the area of Frontier instead of Fortress model.”  (from one of the questions in his book)  This is the kind of radical thinking that will be a necessity if the church wants to continue to have a voice of relevance in our world today.  Anyway, as I used his book for a study with a Joel Council in my previous ministry I thought you might benefit from an outline / Cliff note version of his book.  (If you like what you see here I encourage you to purchase the book for your leadership team or a friend in ministry)

I refuse to lead a dying Church, Paul Nixon

Summary, Pastor Craig Ferguson

1. Introduction
   1. An understanding of Apostle leadership – (Churches with these kind of leaders are growing)
      1. A person who has had a personal experience of meeting Christ
      2. A person with a sense that they are sent to share something of eternal value
      3. Are persons who are anything but settled
      4. They can be spotted by their passion and audacity
   2. Growing Churches share these things in common