Envisioning Growth
Where are we going?
This is an effort to put down on paper what I desire to pray for and work towards in leading the ministry at Riverside. These thoughts were developed through the latter half of 2001, as I sought to discern God’s direction for us as a church. I have tried to act in the spirit of Romans 15:23-24, where Paul expressed his vision for the next stage of his ministry. In that light, it seems important to "dream dreams" and to see our current ministry in a broader context. At the same time, I am aware that Paul’s desires did not come about as he envisaged. The same was true in David’s life (2 Chronicles 28:2-3). God is sovereign, and therefore in seeking to be faithful in the work he has called us to do, we wait upon him with faith and hope.
My overarching concern is that we will be "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19), resulting in "glory [to God] in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3:21). With that before us, here is what is upon my heart for the church:
- Growth of Riverside in spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13)
- Prayerful dependence upon God in all of life (Ephesians 6:18), with a special concern to pray faithfully for God’s message to spread and be glorified (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
- Worshipping God by desiring (Psalm 42:1) and delighting in (Psalm 37:4) his glory - the excellence of God’s goodness and greatness - with zeal and knowledge (John 4:23).
- Lives shaped by the encouragement of scriptures (Romans 15:4), so that everything about us - family, work, emotion, etc. - is increasingly Bible-based, not culture-based (Psalm 1).
- Love for one another to characterize our fellowship in Christ (Philippians 2:1-4), resulting in real care for people that is from the heart and to the heart (Philemon 4-21).
- Spirit-empowered use of each person’s spiritual gifts for ministry (1 Peter 4:10-11), including the development of leaders who are able to mentor others (2 Timothy 2:2).
- An ever vigilant devotion to the foundational truths of the faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21), exercised with both discernment (Acts 20:29-31) and love (2 Timothy 2:23-26).
- Growth of Riverside in global outreach (Romans 15:23-24)
- Active partnership with missionaries on every continent, so that we might participate to some small degree in taking the joy of the gospel to all peoples (Revelation 7:9).
- A commitment to call people to consider going to the nations (Matthew 28:19), and sending those whom the Lord has set apart for that work (Romans 10:15).
- Providing financial support for our missionaries that is both generous in its provision and responsible in its stewardship of the resources God entrusts to us (3 John 6-8).
- Participating in humanitarian efforts to address suffering in needy parts of the world and in disaster-relief efforts, with a special concern for Christians in need (Acts 11:27-30).
- Growth of Riverside in community witness (Acts 18:9-10)
- A Gospel of John to every home in East Windsor (John 4:28-38), with the initial thrust being to the 15,000+ homes within a three kilometer radius of the church.
- Training and resources in evangelism that equip us to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give a reason for the hope we have (1 Peter 3:15).
- The calling of an evangelist to provide leadership for outreach ministries that target the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11).
- Serving compassionately in our neighborhoods (Matthew 5:14-16), so as to give practical expression to the overflowing abundance of God’s love.
- A group of believers sent to establish a daughter church.
- Encouragement of believers to be an influence for righteousness in the public square (Proverbs 14:34), especially as a voice for the unborn child (Proverbs 31:8).
- Pastor Wayne Shih
Note: Pastor Shih finished his ministry at Riverside at the end 2006, as he felt God leading him to start the daughter church himself. Please see our history page for more details about Wayne's current ministry, LifeAtTheEdge.org