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Dear River friends,
I hope 2010 has gotten off to a good start for you and yours. In the midst of so many things to be thankful for, I am most grateful for the worship director candidates that God has brought us. Thanks to all who came to the Q & A time last Sunday to get to know Michelle DeVeaux. I loved the insightfulness of the questions you presented.
It would be very helpful if you would take a few moments and give feedback on your experience of being led in worship by Michelle. You can do so here. Also, if you were not in service on January 3, please listen to my message on Samuel’s anointing of David; it articulates the essential posture I believe God is calling us to as we journey through this process together.
I want you all to know how the process will unfold. Below, I address some questions that have been directed my way. Let’s be much in prayer through this season.
Peace,
Brad Wong,
Lead Pastor
* What will be the calendar of events going forward?
- Two more candidates who will be leading us on each of the next two Sundays.
- On the Thursday prior, various River staff members will conduct interviews.
- On Thursday or Friday, the candidate will lead a rehearsal with the worship band.
- On the Saturday prior, two Board members will conduct an interview.
- On Sunday afternoon, River participants come to a Q & A.
- The following week, River members are encouraged to give feedback on-line.
- On February 2, River leaders and intercessors will gather to hear a summary of the feedback, listen to one another, and pray together.
- The hiring manager (me, in this case) will sit with all of the information gathered and prayerfully discern whether God has led us to a place in which a decision can be made. There is no hard deadline; but, my hope is to make a decision some time in February. Having said that, I am committed to waiting upon the Lord. If He says “slow”, we will not rush our decision. If He says “no”, we will be open to pursuing other options.
* Why does the feedback form ask for my name?
You will notice that the feedback form on-line will ask for your name and contact information. The reason for this is that the impersonal nature of anonymous feedback can elicit unnecessarily harsh and even flippant feedback. I do not believe this serves to build up the body of Christ. Therefore, I am asking for your name and contact information. That way, if further clarification is helpful, we have a way of pursuing it.
* Who will look at the feedback?
I will be the only person who looks at the feedback in its original form. I will prepare a summary of comments and present that summary to those who come to the prayer meeting on February 2. That summary will contain no direct quotations or names from the feedback given on-line.
* What factors will be taken into account as a decision is made?
In order of priority, we are looking for: 1) Character – To what extent does this person have the spiritual character to represent the church and bear up under the pressures that will come with this role? 2) Chemistry - To what extent does this person fit with the personality of our church and staff? and 3) Competence – To what extent is this person skilled in carrying out the tasks involved in the role?
I will be listening to the perspectives of the leadership community, the staff, the search team, and the broader church community.
* Why isn’t the process slower?
A few people have asked me why we are not having a slower process. It’s a great question. My first response is that the process has been pretty deliberate. Our search team began interviewing candidates in early November. So, by the time a decision is reached, more than three months will have passed. I can tell you that the process does not feel fast to candidates who are looking for jobs. As importantly, the reality is that each of us only has so much time and energy to spend beyond what it typically takes to manage life. While I understand and appreciate peoples’ passion for participation in this process, it is important to me that we are a people who remain focused upon living out the mission that God has for each of us. Churches tend to get bogged down into the work of running church. All too easily, we lose sight of the lost and the poor. My desire is that we make a wise decision while not losing focus upon ministry beyond church walls.
Peace,
Brad Wong, Lead Pastor
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Welcome Dessert
If you have recently starting attending The River or are looking for ways to connect deeper into the life of our church, we invite you to a Welcome Dessert at the home of Brad Wong, our Lead Pastor. We will provide a brief history of The River, explain our values as a church, offer ways for you to get involved, and answer any questions you may have. But mostly, we just want to get to know you over some delicious desserts and drinks in a relaxing, friendly environment.
Please let us know if you can make the event so we can provide you with address and directions. Email Angela Aviles at or call 408.252.5500 x106.
Women's Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast and fellowship on Saturday, Jan 23 from 9:00-11:30am at the Ministry Center (701 North First St). Our guest speaker will be Wendi Calton who brings a message of hope and deliverance to her audience. Her speaking is filled with personal stories of how Christ gave her the will to survive and the endurance to recover from a life-threatening accident. She will be speaking on the topic Healed and Set Free based on John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." We hope you can join us! Please RSVP on the evite or sign up to receive the evite at the Connecting Table on Jan 10 and 17. Contact Molly Meyer
for more information or questions.
Ladies Book Club
Does your thirst for love and intimacy seem insatiable? Are you choking on the bitter taste of broken relationships or sexual struggles? Are you ready to taste the Living Water that Jesus offered the Woman at the Well so that she would “never thirst again”? Experiencing the lavish love of God for yourself is the only way to quench your deep thirst for love and intimacy.
We will journey through the book Words of Wisdom for Woman at the Well - Quenching Your Heart's Thirst for Love and Intimacy by Shannon Ethridge
The Group will run 12 weeks, Monday nights, Starting January 25th ending April 19th. We will meet at The River Ministry Center from 7-9pm.
To find out if this book discussion group is for you an in depth questioner will be available at the connecting table. For more questions contact Shelby Tindall at
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