Year-End Letter from Brad

December 2008

“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10,11

Dear Friends,

Greetings and peace to you this Christmas season!  As we come to the close of 2008, we have cause for joyful celebration.

We praise God for His faithfulness to the generations of our church.  We rejoice in the more than 75 children who are skillfully led into the presence of God through Word and Celebration each Sunday.  We thank God for our Middle and High School students who, in the context of their journey toward adulthood, are discovering their place in the life of our church.  It has been a joy to see them participate in activities such as the Advent Retreat.  And we celebrate the vitality of the communities of young adults whose small groups overflow with both affection and passion.

We praise God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit which renews our hearts.  We have experienced that renewal in many contexts such as the “Changes that Heal Seminar”, a burgeoning Women’s ministry, weekly small groups, as well as our Sunday morning celebration.  We’re thankful for His renewing presence in the peacemaking process (ably shaped by Mark PH) through which our community is being made strong and whole. 

And we praise God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit that sends us out into joy-filled mission.  We celebrate the opportunity to surround the downtown area with the love of Jesus via Kindness San Jose and praise God for Tony Traback’s vision and energetic leadership.  Moreover, we rejoice in the great variety of ways in which River members walk out the mission of God every day . . . by welcoming the orphan in adoption and foster care, by reaching out to a neighbor, and by acts of generosity, courageous love, and prayer that are seen only by our Father in heaven.

In the midst of these encouragements, we also face some significant financial challenges.  For the past three years, a “fiscal roadmap” outlined by The River’s Advisory Council has guided us towards a breakeven budget in Ministry Year 2010.  We have made good progress towards this goal by reducing our facilities and staffing expenses.  However, maintaining progress towards our goal will also require a sustained increase in our income.

We anticipate the need to increase giving by 10% above last year’s levels in order to wholeheartedly pursue the work that God has placed on our hearts.  However, we are running about 15% below last year’s giving levels.  Concretely speaking, since our ministry year began in September, we are approximately $80,000 under budget.  This gap will grow over the ministry year if giving continues at its current rate.  If we do not close this gap, we will be forced into painful choices that will make our path towards congregational health and mission more challenging.

The River is at a critical turning point in our history as we align our spirits, hearts, and resources with the new work that God is doing in our midst.  I would like to invite you to join yourself deeply to this new work.  As you prayerfully consider how God might direct the financial resources you steward, please listen for how God might have you invest more deeply at The River. 

As I make our financial need known, I am well aware that many in our community are experiencing financial stress these days.  Our staff are praying for you, that the grace of Jesus would come to you in practical ways.  If you find yourself in a place of need, I want to encourage you to give your small group the opportunity to share your burden; it is in these moments that small groups become true communities of Christ.  If you are new to our community, have no small group, or have a larger need than your group can meet, I encourage you to let your need by known to our Giving Team, led by Dave Kwok ().

May the good news of Christ’s coming form us all as people of great joy and hope.

Peace,

Brad Wong, Lead Pastor