With each announcement that’s published and each week we progress through this year, there have been, and continue to be, unique hardships that…

The beauty of Christianity is that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s grace but believe in Him. For all have sinned and…

Are you looking for ways to love and pray for your enemies and those who disagree with you? Pastor Justin Detmers reminds us of…

Try to reflect God’s grace to others, regardless of what you think they deserve. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve

When we hear the Word of God, where does it go, and what does it do? Pastor Tony Pyle encourages us to allow God’s…

As we continue through this season of unknowns and upturned rhythms, we’d like to let you know what our current plan is as it relates…

What does it look like to repentant and why is it so difficult for us? View the full message: rivchurch.com/messages/no-favorites-with-god

What is your response to hearing about God’s wrath? This past weekend, Pastor James Granger encouraged us with a reminder of why Jesus came…

Do you struggle with feelings of unworthiness, hopelessness, fear, discouragement, and condemnation? Do you recognize your own need to hear the Gospel daily, even…

Do you seek out opportunities to get to know others with different cultures and traditions, or do you tend to surround yourself with people…

Take a moment to make a list of the words you use to define yourself. Is Christian at the top of your list? Pastor…

Are there things in your life that cause you to think that God can’t or won’t use you? Past or current sins? Trauma you’ve…

When we find ourselves distracted by idols, or feel our hearts being pulled in different directions, we can cling to the truth of who…

 Similar to the Levities in the book of Joshua, as believers in Christ we…

Every one of us needs refuge from something; whether from our thoughts, a difficult situation, a current emotional weight, or an ongoing struggle. God…

We all have things vying for our attention. Even as we seek to live a life focused on God, we can become fixated on…

As followers of Jesus we need to be spending time in His Word. What kind of rhythm do you have for interacting with Scripture?…

Much like the Israelites in the story of Joshua, we have our own humanity, wisdom, and knowledge that we may lean into when we’re…

When is Riv going to re-start live services? We know this is the question on everyone’s mind as we grasp for some consistency in…

One of the most powerful things we can do in the present is look back and remember how God has been faithful to His…

God comforts us in all of our afflictions so that we may truly be a comfort to those around us as we listen well.…

Sometimes when we take a deep look at how we view the world, we find roots of selfishness and personal gain at our core.…

We all experience fear at some point in our life, whether it be something small like spiders or heights, or a deeply rooted fear…

We all have varying voices and experiences that impact how we view the world around us. As we seek to understand others, it is…

How would the people around you define your character? Pastor James encourages us to go to the Scriptures as the basis for building our…

As we walk through this season, for many of us worry and anxiety have taken a prominent seat in our emotions. Maybe they’re rooted…

The good news of Jesus proclaims that through faith we are given His righteousness and cleansed from all our sins. We are then entrusted…

As we see injustice around us, Scripture calls us to be alert and sober-minded. That posture starts with coming to the Lord in prayer. Young…

Sometimes we have questions in life that simply don’t have answers. With those questions comes a longing for answers upon which we hope to…

As followers of Christ, we have a resilient hope within us that is built on Jesus Christ. How are you prepared to share with…

Love your neighbor as yourself. What does that mean? Young shares with us the words of Jesus as He challenged the religious elite in…

Sympathy is sharing in the emotions of another person. What does it look like for us to have sympathy and compassion for someone whose…

While we are spending way more time at home, we are also spending way more time near our neighbors. What do your relationships with…

Weird. Crazy. Uncertain. These are all words that we hear every day, and even more than that, we feel them as we see another cancelled…

When we’re struggling and facing hardship, it’s really easy to lash out with our words against one another. But we are called to exemplify…

With our home life mixing with work life, and school mixing with family, and all of it pushing us to our emotional limits, finding…

There are a lot of people around us. And God calls us to live honorably with everyone. Everyone, everyone. Even that one person that…

Lots of us are feeling out of control, like life is spinning and we’re just being dragged along for the ride without any ability…

We can approach God’s throne of grace with boldness. As followers of Christ we are a royal priesthood, set apart to serve. And as…

It seems as though with each passing year the disagreements and varying opinions in our culture grow bigger and further apart. And the clash…

As we see people around us, or we ourselves, struggle through hardship and trials, it can be difficult not to let the weight of…

Loss is something that all of us are feeling right now. Have you been furloughed from your job? Or had plans cancelled? Maybe you’re…

Sometimes we get set in our ways or find ourselves wavering in what we hope for. Pastor James shares some thoughts on 1 Peter…

[quote] [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him, in heaven…

The idea that we need rescuing is almost the complete opposite to what culture says. The running idea of culture is that we can muster…

What is God’s will for my life? What does God want me to do? How do I glorify God? Those are all great…

This past weekend we announced a big change we’re making at Riv; we’re switching our default Bible translation from the ESV to the CSB. You…

This is a highlight video from James Granger message from Riv’s Therefore series. You can view the…

The life of a Christ-follower isn’t meant to be a set of rituals or checkboxes to fill out. These weekly patterns of reading God’s…

[quote]For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew…

[quote]The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful; the Lord takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath…

[quote] He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to…

God is sovereignly in control. Scripture points us to that truth and there is a lot of comfort to be found in that. But…

Has anyone ever called you a control freak? It’s a harsh statement and pretty offensive, but the truth of the matter is, we all…

We have grown into a culture that believes everything we own is rightly deserved. Is this truly the case? Perhaps we should consider how…

When we pick out specific verses to apply to our lives and remove them from their original context, just to serve our needs, we…

Everyone has things or dreams that they want and it may differ from person to person. However, when it comes to something that we…

Within a relationship, what do you do with a love that chooses to continually pursue after you, though you have failed that individual time…

In America, the level of persecution that Christians faith, relative to the rest of the world is quite small. However, if that time were…

What are the idols in your life? When the things in our lives – work, money, kids, community, relationships – all fight for the…

No matter who you are, the ailments of this world affect everyone at some point in their life. The root of all the destruction,…

Where is your source of life? Is it in your career? Perhaps it is in your family, the amount of money you make, or…

What does it mean for someone or something to be holy? The word “holy” literally means cut. It is when someone or something that…

The gift of marriage is a sacred one that God has given to men and women. Through marriage, the relationship between Christ and the…

What is the meaning of life? That question gets asked by nearly everyone on this earth and their answers are far and wide. However,…

In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon writes that there are three types of people: the wicked, the foolish, and the wise. It can…

Read the Psalms. Whether you are going through a hard time in life or a joyous one, read the Psalms. They teach us how…

Suffering comes in all different shapes and sizes and can affect anyone and everyone. What are some Biblical truths to hold onto when we…

Where do we all fit in when we think about the existence of humankind on earth? There is a lot there since there is…

When you listen to a sermon or you’re reading the Bible on your own, you may have experienced a feeling of wanting to change…

The Christmas story is one of happiness, joy, being merry, and festive. However, if we are to just focus on those dimensions of Christmas,…

The Word of God is living and active. Therefore, it is something that we are able to interact with on a daily basis. Is…

When you think of the phrase, “deepest darkest sin,” what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of something that happened in your past. Perhaps…

Everyone’s ability to give varies on multiple reasons. Whether you have much or you have little, generosity is not necessarily measured by the quantity…

There are over 7 billion people on this planet. With that many people, how is it possible that God knows each and every one…

What is stopping you from believing in God? What is the obstacle that is getting in your way of believing in the Gospel? Our…

What are you currently hiding in your heart? Nestled within the confines of our heart is a dichotomy of God’s Word and sin. The…

One of the most dangerous things we can do is tell ourselves this lie that we are “okay” while we sit in a pile…

In every time period, there is always a group of people who will identify as being in need, in trouble, marginalized, and overlooked. Who…

What is an idol you hold onto? Is it your self-image? Perhaps it comes in the form of your children and the goals you…

The world is plagued with sin. Ever since The Fall of Man, laid out in Genesis, sin entered God’s perfect world and made it…

All of Scripture points to Jesus. The Old Testament narrative stories all point to a coming messiah who would conquer sin and save those…

Our wiring, our upbringings, our emotions, our thoughts, and our hearts all play a role in the way we make decisions. Though at times…

One of the key fundamental principles of the Christian faith is that God is holy and we, humanity, are not. Due to sin, a…

It can be easy to get bitter at someone. When someone does us wrong in life, we have two choices – either to hold…

Last weekend at Riv, we launched into a new series which will take us through the Bible one book at a time.  We started out…

When you hear about the Creation account in the Bible, the initial thoughts never seem to include Jesus. When we read that God created…

What mechanisms do you have in place to remember tasks to complete, people’s faces and names, or anything in between? The thing is, we…

Biblical Christian marriage is more than two Christ followers coming together. Through our Christ-centered marriages, we have the ability to share the Gospel with…

What directs the way you perceive the world and those around you? For Christians, we are to view the world with a Biblical worldview…

When hardships come our way, our immediate reaction is to find a solution out of it. We think that once hardships are out of…

One fact in this world is that our world is broken. Sin has pervaded it and in its grip, twisted what God had intended…

Each one of us has been given a mercy-given ministry by God. It can be in the home, the office, school, practically anywhere that…

Do you ever think about your faith and the work that you do? Whether you are a teacher, student, chef, cashier, engineer, or anything…

We all doubt. Whether that is doubting our family, friends, people you just met, and even God Himself. There are times in our lives…

Every single one of us have gone through a moment in time when someone has sinned against us or if we have sinned against…

God uses the local church to sanctify us. Have you ever thought of church in that way? We usually think of church as the…

Being a Christ-follower, the standard of generosity is not measured by how much we put in the offering bucket, on a given Sunday morning.…

A lot of times, we may think prayer is a one way communication – from us to God – and nothing more. However, if…

Living in an individualistic society, we tend to do things on our own. Especially, when it comes to overcoming obstacles, trials, and any struggles…

With the busyness of life, why should be bother with being on mission to proclaim the liberating power of the Gospel to those around…

What drives you to do certain things for people? Is it a reward that you will receive at the end? Perhaps you have a…

What defines you as an individual? Is it your job? The relationship you are in? How much money you make? The car you drive?…

Even after believing in the Gospel and proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, sometimes it’s hard to really feel any different. The sins…

When we think about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, little notice is given to the ascension of Christ. We are enamored by the perfect…

Most people forget that even individuals mentioned in the Bible had a tough time believing in Jesus. We immediately assume that every character in…

One of the wildest claims anyone can make, is to say that they are God. The claim is other-worldly because God is other-worldly. When…

Our sin keeps us separated from God. His perfection, holiness, righteousness, and Godliness does not allow us to draw near to Him. But yet,…

God’s wrath is something people tend to forget about God. We tend to forget God’s righteousness includes His burning anger towards sin. How does…

Have you ever been in the position where you want to turn to God, but for some reason you can’t? Whether it’s because you…

The phrase, “it can only go up from here,” comes to mind when experiencing the most excruciating pain. We wonder if there is joy…

Sometimes the truth hurts. Most of us have been there before, where we hear something we know is right, but gives a kind of…

The Christian is known for their faith in God and Jesus Christ. But does our faith and markings of that faith stop there? The…

Anxiety and worry have no bounds and comes from different places. Whether it be from our workplace, managing our finances, and tending to our…

As Christians, we are called to love those around us. You can find this commandment littered throughout the Scriptures. Whether that is loving your…

Sometimes the truth hurts. It may hurt, but in the end, we know hearing the truth comes to our benefit. One of the greatest…

People enjoy the feeling of receiving glory. Sometimes we do things out of a genuine heart of service, but there’s that small inkling in…

Christianity is not just a thought-based faith, but it is an active one. It is a faith filled with commandments to put into action…

[quote]Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the…

There are varying aspects that characterize a family. Some may be funny all of the time and others may be more strict and serious.…

Serving is a huge part of who we are at Riverview. In 1977 a small team of people came to Michigan State University to serve…

To get a movement going, many people think the sole individual who begins it, is the most important. Though they do have significant value…

It is no coincidence when Jesus call Himself, “The Word” and “The Bread of Life”, which allows us to equate “The Word” (God’s Word)…

As I drive to the location where our church meets at a local elementary school, a weight presses on my shoulders. This is going to…

One of the more unfortunate patterns I’ve observed as a Pastor is when people love Christian books more than they love THE Book. When it…

The Holy Bible contains 66 different books, is written by varying authors, contains different genres of literature, but yet a single thread can be…

res·o·lu·tion (rezəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n) noun a firm decision to do or not to do something. Each time a new year rolls around I’m fascinated by…

In the coming days, the Christmas story will be told in plays and pageants, pulpits and podcasts. Many of us could tell it from memory…

Suffering and pain do not discriminate; it affects all people Though we may understand that God is control, even in tough circumstances, it doesn’t…

When you look up to someone or stand behind someone, you tend to imitate their actions, words, and perhaps their thoughts. For Christians, the…

We all have areas of leadership in our lives. Whether you are at the top of a business or directing toddlers at your home,…

For the Christian, todays’ Western society may be a fear-filled place to proclaim your faith. Society is drifting towards a worldview where the Christian…

Let’s be honest. We like to have things go our way. That’s why we like to customize things from the phones we have to…

One misconception and temptation people have with God is to think of Him and treat Him like an ATM machine or a genie. It’s…

There seems to be an increase in the self-actualization and “looking inward” type of worldview. Where at the end of the day, we are…

He was a senior at Michigan State. After a couple years of attending church, he said he had a question that was bothering him. So…

It’s already tough when we go through hardships and it’s even tougher when we pray and nothing really happens. Does God even hear us?…

I was reading through the Psalms recently and I stumbled onto a striking one written by King David. Here’s what he wrote (and sang): Transgression…

There are actions that we have committed, thoughts we have thought of, which quite honestly, we aren’t proud of. We may have been through…

It may sound silly, but a fact of life is that every single human being on earth was physically born into the world. But…

As a little kid, I had a routine. Whenever my mother would get up in the morning and take a shower, I would sneak up…

There are many things that are easier said than done in life. One of these things is reaching people for Jesus. At times, this…

I’ve had a lot of experiences in my life. Some good. Some not so good. Some I try to forget. One experience that greatly impacted…

It’s easy to get caught up talking about our own lives, our own desires and needs. We’ve all heard that we are (or at…

Recently, I was talking to a young man who was devastated by all the evil in the world. People hurt people, and evil seems to…

Sometimes the text in our Bibles may seem bland and doesn’t come to life. Perhaps it is the way we view the Word of…

[quote] I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:2-3 [/quote] Kids are incredible gifts, but…

The culture around us, regardless of whatever society or environment we are living in, is constantly changing. That poses the question, “how are Christians…

There are few things worse than being trusted with a responsibility and then not seeing it through to completion. Whether it’s a paper for school,…

Most of the time, people like to think that they are a tad bit nicer, “good-er”, or moral than they actually might be, while…

Have you ever thought about what happens after you die? How the world we live in was created? What our purpose as human beings…

Down through history, Christians have had to figure out how their faith intersects not only with their own lives, but also with the culture around…

The first week of August kicked off the start of the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Thousands of athletes from around…

A good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure our actions match up with the things we say – especially if we…

From time to time, I grab a meal with another Christian and when the food shows up, I dive right in. Sometimes, the people I…

Nowadays, it seems as if suffering and turmoil is present no matter where you look. On a personal scale, some of us may be…

[intro] Riverview has a rich history of planting churches. It’s our desire to recapture that spirit in a way that reflects both what God has…

There are many instances where the Bible describes scenarios or teaches principles that are counter-cultural. One of these instances is the idea to have…

Being fully aware of the need for change and improvement in many areas of my own life, it is helpful for me to consider the…

Marriage is a complex thing. The intertwining of two lives ushers in many implications, emotions, actions, and reactions. But one thing that is for…

Thinking about the value of a soul gives my life passion and influences how I think about people. What is at stake concerning the…

The world in which we live seems to become more and more fractured each day. Each side of an argument gets more and more…

[quote] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And…

In the book of Hebrews, it defines faith as being sure of what we hope for and certain of the things we do not…

The Key to Misery is Comparison As a father of five kids I’ve lost track of how many times my parenting skills were challenged settling…

The claim to know who God is, is a bold one in and of itself. But yet, we are able to actually come to…

We humans have a difficult time capturing the concept of eternality. I guess one big reason for that is we not only have finite minds,…

What is Biblical friendship? It’s more than just being Facebook friends, or hanging out with people you kind of know. Biblical friends are the…

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the effects of dads on countless children. I’ve known small children who relish in…

Try to look back at a moment in time where your anger got the best of you, but over something small and petty. Everyone…

“It’s our party we can do what we want … this is our house, these are our rules.” – Miley Cyrus Let’s be honest. We…

One of the unfortunate effects of sin in our world is that it has created poverty in our societies. Not only physical poverty, but…

I’m often tempted and go beyond what God asks of me, into the forbidden area of over-responsibility. Wisdom is needed when I interact with people…

With the hectic buzz of life, a lot of us find ourselves as borderline workaholics. Some of us may even find ourselves to be…

Forgiving someone who has hurt you, is tough stuff. Especially when the pain of the offense is the ugly kind that may be with you…

The spectrum of pleasure goes from satiating our bodily desires to abstaining from any form of pleasure at all. Neither of which is how…

Perhaps you have heard this much overused saying: “What’s the best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” I’m not sure what…

Some of us are innately planners and some of us like to do things on a whim. Within both realms, our plans can come…

When I think of some of the people Jesus encountered and chose to engage with, three jump out. The Samaritan woman (John 4), the paralytic…

Words can be tricky. Sometimes we say things we don’t mean. Sometimes we say things we do mean, with the intent to hurt someone…

We all go through tough times in life. Times that can seem turbulent and unsettling and even hopeless. In the midst of these challenging and…

Pride is a sin that a lot of us think we don’t have or commit, but effortlessly see it in the lives of others.…

All throughout Scripture we see examples of humility and the Biblical mandate for us to live humbly before God and before others.…

Whether you have a lot of power or just a little bit of it, a question to answer is, “how are you using the…

We live in an individualistic time. Where big front porches have been replaced by sprawling back decks. Where people go years without knowing the neighbors…

Plain and simple – sex is a gift from God. However, though it might be one of the greatest things we can experience, it…

We are way too easily offended. The utter inability to let a verbal offense go is becoming one of the defining traits of our generation…

There are many things in life that take hold of our attentions and money is no exception. If anything, for some of us, it…

Let’s face it. Praying can be hard. We know the importance of it from passages like Philippians 1:18-201 where we see an imprisoned Apostle Paul…

“Fear God.” It’s a strange sounding phrase to our modern ears but it’s a consistent theme in Scripture. There are a lot of verses like…

Feelings are God given, they make us human. They give us the ability to express sorrow, joy, pain, comfort, anger, and on and on. They…

What does faithful mean? Dictionary.com1 defines being faithful as one who is dependable, trustworthy and reliable. To be faithful means that…

Philippians 4:10-23 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but…

Philippians 4:1-9 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia…

This past weekend at all our Riv Venues the teaching was from Philippians 3:12-21, focusing on Paul’s challenge for us to imitate the spiritual maturity…

Philippians 3:12-21 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has…

Philippians 3:1-11 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.…

Philippians 2:19-30 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For…

Philippians 2:12-18 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out…

Philippians 2:1-11 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy…

Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent,…

Philippians 1:19-26 For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as…

When Kevin Spacey was a young actor in New York City, he wasn’t able to get into any clubs because he was unknown and broke.…

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-18 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has…

“It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship!” Ever heard that one before? Not only have I heard that one, I’ve said it—many times! I think I had…

Philippians 1:1-11 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:…

[intro]Conflict in relationships is inevitable. When imperfect and flawed people (us) interact and live in genuine and healthy community, we shouldn’t be surprised at all…

By Doug Mains [intro]I became a Christian in the spring of 2007 and I have been miserable since. [/intro]…

Each weekend, several thousand people walk through doors of Riverview’s venues. At every service, many first-time visitors are mixed in with the rest. In a…

[intro]“My soul is impatient with itself, as with a bothersome child; its restlessness keeps growing and is forever the same. Everything interests me, but nothing…

[intro]I just love the whole Christmas thing with all the traditions. Lights on the house, Christmas music playing, my wife watching “Elf” for the millionth time, me…

[intro]One of the most exciting coming events is the return of Jesus to this earth! The second coming of Jesus is called “the hope”…

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:27–28…

[intro]What happens when we die? No, seriously. What really happens when we die?[/intro] For as long as I can remember people around me…

[intro]For many, Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas season. That means, over the next month, you’re going to hear about generosity a lot. You’ll…

Take a second to answer this question in your head: “What does the church do?” Based on your answer to that question, I may be…

[intro]Sorrow. Grief. Loss. No one I know likes to think about this aspect of life, but from time to time it comes crashing down on…

[intro]Regardless of culture, denomination or size, if you go to any church in the world you will see activities centered on worship, prayer, teaching and…

[intro]In every stage of life I have been through I have spent a decent amount of time wondering what the next stage will be like.…

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ…

[intro]Every year, Riverview has an annual Thanksgiving drive that provides 100 or more meals to families throughout the Lansing area. Many…

[intro]Christians believe in a loving, merciful God who by nature is also just and righteous. Love and justice co-exist and work together in God’s personhood…

It was October 2013 that the city council voted to allow us to purchase the old Cadillac Club. We became Riverview’s third venue…

[intro]At Riv, we believe baptisms are an important step for Christ-followers to show their faith in and commitment to Jesus. For many people, baptisms are…

It’s hard to believe that it was about a year ago that the idea of Riv’s Westside Venue started forming. It was this…

This past year at Riv’s MSU Venue has been a busy one! We’ve been focused on being a missional movement. Through RivMexico…

There have been a lot of changes at Riv over the past couple of years and it’s been exciting to watch our church…

Christians all around the world practice two symbolic acts that can seem, at first glance, to be very odd: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (also…

By Sonia Thompson [intro]During the Perpendicularity series here at Riverview, there was something that always stood out to me from this particular…

It was an unseasonably humid day and I was sitting on a gator (the four-wheeled kind) with a friend of mine watching a youth baseball…

[intro]A recent article in WIRED detailed the career of Louie Psihoyos, who has made it his life’s mission to raise awareness of endangered species and…

[intro]All of us have been to a church service where a band leader steps up onto the stage, guitar in hand, and utters these…

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the…

[intro]In one sense, the Christian faith is simple and can be summed up in one word: “believe.” We are people who believe in Jesus, in…

[intro]The inspiration of the Bible is ground zero for the Christian faith. In fact, it’s really the starting point to understand anything about the foundational…

By Brad Kidder [intro]To say I grew up in the church would be an understatement. My family spent what seemed like every spare moment…

[intro]We believe in one God in three distinct persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – each of whom possesses all the attributes of Deity…

By Katie P., International Student Ministry Coordinator [intro]When is the last time you had a really awkward conversation? Maybe you misheard someone. Maybe the person…

[intro]Think about the last time you screwed up, and I mean royally screwed up. You remember that pit in your stomach? That’s guilt. In the…

[intro]This weekend, Riv opens its fourth venue. The Westside Venue is entering into a slice of Lansing’s history—a church on the corner of St. Joe…

After 28 chapters, the story of Acts came to an end, yet the story of the Gospel moved forward. In AD 80, Christianity spread further…

[intro]There’s no question that 2015 will stand out as a landmark year. Between the Supreme Court decision to legalize gay marriage nationwide and…

[intro]The Bible holds up marriages as incredibly important. In fact, in Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul even calls marriage a picture of Jesus’ sacrificial relationship with the…

By Carl Bussema [intro]How do we respond when someone confesses to us?[/intro] There are two main reasons for peer…

[intro]”No Christian should ever succumb to the idolatrous notion that the right party will bring in utopia. That is not where our ultimate confidence lies.”…

By Carl Bussema [intro]Hi, my name is Carl, and I’m a recovering sinner. Odds are, if you’re reading this, you’re a recovering sinner…

[intro]There are a lot of important questions to ask yourself when reading the Bible and one of the most important is: “Is this passage descriptive…

[intro]What is “The Church”? It’s a really simple question with a pretty important answer.[/intro] My own understanding of The Church has changed over time. When…

[intro]You’re just wrapping up your undergraduate experience at MSU, you’ve landed your dream job, you’re in a great relationship with the person of your dreams, you…

[intro]Let’s face it. While various kinds of people make up our Riv family, the vibe is hipster. I mean, if you look at the average…

[intro]As a Christian, I have struggled at times with understanding the full picture of how the Gospel affects my standing before God.[/intro] When I was…

[intro]”Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”…

By Laura Granger [intro]About eight years ago, my husband, James Granger, and I asked several of our college and community friends if they…

[intro]When most of us think of missions, we think of long-term missionaries, like Jim Elliot or Amy Carmichael or Hudson Taylor. We think of men…

[intro]Derrick Phillips is an alumni of the Riv Church Planting residency. A little over a year ago, he and his family left sunny Lansing to…

[intro]In case you’re a get-to-the-point kind of reader, let me be frank.  The point of this post is to get you to participate in the…

[intro] One of my friends likes to say that everyone goes though “need to know” and “need to grow” moments.  At these critical junctures, we…

[intro]“If the universe is so bad… how on earth did human beings ever come to attribute [the universe] to the activity of a wise and…

[intro]Here at Riverview, we are passionate about reaching people with the Gospel. While many other churches strive to build bigger buildings and have bigger services,…

[intro]I’m older now. Youth is a distant past in my rear-view mirror. Yet I am thankful for God’s patience and faithfulness throughout my years and…

[intro]It’s one of the most famous passages in the Bible, and one of the earliest (if not only) chapters we memorize. But how many of…

The vote went through! At Riverview we’re all about proclaiming the liberating power of the Gospel as we grow, serve, and go. With our weekend…

[intro]Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. — Matthew 6:34[/intro]…

[intro]At Riv, part of our DNA is to love on college students. But often, we don’t even know where to start. The good thing? Serving…

[intro]Ever had a day when you feel like you’re just barely holding it together?[/intro] You know that if one more stressor comes along—if your drama…

[intro]Riv has hundreds of volunteers, serving across all sorts of ministries. Today we hear from Mike Davis, a volunteer with Element, Riv’s high school ministry.[/intro]…

[intro]It’s got a really long title—When People Are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man—but the title of…

Happy Easter, Riverview! Easter is a big deal for many of us, whether we’re “churchy people” or not. It’s about springtime, and pretty dresses, and…

[intro]Riverview’s Compassion ministry is about sharing with others. We give ourselves and our resources away as a means of sharing our hope of Jesus’ restoration…

[intro]I often hear statements like, “The Bible is so old, how could it really apply to us now?” or “How could modern people take this…

At Riv, we strongly encourage finding and building community through Life Groups and indie ministries. Brandee and Kelley, co-leaders of Merge, explain how the indie…

[intro]Church isn’t just about a service you attend, but about the community you build.[/intro] Merge is a post-college indie ministry for singles and couples in…

[intro]How many pastors are there at Riverview?  Do you guys have a senior pastor? How is the church governed?[/intro] These questions are some of the…

[intro]I’m often struck by the fact that I do not understand what everyday life feels like for people who are different than myself.[/intro] I don’t…

[intro]How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! — Psalm 139:17, NIV[/intro] When my daughter was about 18 months old, I…

[intro]From my vantage point, young people today need the wisdom and perspective of older people. They need to see the outcome of a life of…

[intro]I’m a work in progress. It’s sort of weird how it seems that the simple/everyday occurrences in life just seem to drive me up a…

[intro]“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” — Romans 10:15[/intro] Dear friends and family of Riverview, It has been a…

If you want to be obedient to the Lord, you’ve got to fall in love with God’s word. – Steve Sommerlot At the church where…

In case you somehow haven’t noticed, Riv is a big church. It’s several-thousand-people big. It’s one body, three venues, five services big. God’s blessed us…

[intro]How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? Is it a chance to get romantic with your honey, or would you rather just bury your head under…

Written By Randi-Kay Anthony [intro]”Your dancers will never forget how you made them feel.” That was a moment for me and eyes filled with tears.…

[intro]As I grow older, I am ever being challenged to intentionally allow the Gospel, the Good News, to continue to permeate my life through my…

[intro]Most days, I probably spend more time reading and relating children’s stories to my four year old than I spend perusing literature for grown ups.…

Every time I walk into my house and my wife has been cooking bacon, I say the same thing: “It smells like love in…

[intro]I struggle at times in my ability (and willingness) to forgive others for offenses I feel they have committed toward me. Yet, at the same…

[intro]One of the big themes of the New Testament (besides Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection for our salvation, of course) is the foundation and organization…

[intro]“The Big Bang and Naturalistic Evolution completely disprove the Bible or any existence of a supernatural God.” “The Bible doesn’t address issues from a scientific…

You should know what is going to happen in this story so that any element of suspense in it will be transferred from its surface…

[intro]“I love it when your band plays.” “I like your band better than the other bands!” “You guys just have something the other bands just…

[intro]Riv recently released a revised mission statement for the church and wrote a blog post about it. Riv’s new mission statement reads as follows:[/intro] Riverview…

The Christmas Story as told through Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 2:1-20.

[intro]As we enter the Christmas season, we all have various experiences and emotions that are attached to this time of year. As a child, I…

[intro]“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for…

Back when I taught through the book of 1 Timothy (“The Main Thing”), I came across a passage that struck me like it never…

[intro]“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, NLT)[/intro] #ValidationViaSocialMedia? Do you use social…

[intro]Many people have fond memories of their time in youth groups growing up. Pizza, dodgeball, lock-ins, mission trips, camps, retreats. For many, time in youth…

[intro]Philippians 2:4  “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [/intro] When Michael Brown was shot…

[intro]Riv features a crazy number of talented bands across all three venues. In this post, we’re introducing you to the Holt Venue’s Elisha and the…

For the past few Christmases, men and women from the Compassion team have perched on bar stools behind a table in Riv’s lobby, asking, “Would…

[intro]Let’s be honest. We naturally don’t always feel thankful Or, am I the only one who wrestles with this heart condition of desiring what I…

[intro]I’ve been encouraged and challenged this past month or so as we have been working through the recent series entitled “Questionable.” We looked into several…

It’s not really possible to overestimate the importance of giving. For one thing, God loves generosity from his people; it’s all over the Bible. In…

[intro]Should I give even if I am in debt or should I work to get out of debt first?[/intro] This is a question that I…

[intro]“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as…

[intro]”You can tell a person’s priorities by looking at their budget.”[/intro] I can’t remember when I first heard that sentiment—I believe I’m paraphrasing it from…

[intro]Sarah is getting baptized the weekend of November 15/16. This is her story.[/intro] Tell us a little bit about yourself! I recently moved to MI…

[intro]Family. What comes into your mind when you think about that word? Love and affection? Sadness and hurt? Apathy and indifference?[/intro] Whatever comes to mind,…

[intro]At Riv, we strongly encourage everyone to “Go”—to serve and tell others about Jesus. Each year we send a number of groups down to Mexico…

We are in a series at Riv where we are encouraging everyone to “Live Questionably.”  In other words, we want to live the kind of…

[intro]Recently I have had some great discussion around the word “sin.” It is a word that seems to stop people in their tracks and carries…

[intro]Before visiting the Lansing Area Aids Network (LAAN), I had really never tried to imagine what life might be like for someone diagnosed with HIV.…

[intro]Each week, the MSU Venue introduces a different student on campus. This week, we’re introducing you to Brittiany.[/intro] What does being an “up north” girl…

[intro]Element: Crazy, off-the-wall, high school ministry at Riv. Fall: Beautiful season of changing colors, cooler temperatures, and college football. Retreat: Time to get away, have…

[intro]Riverview exists to proclaim the liberating power of the Gospel as we grow, serve, and go.[/intro] This weekend, we unveiled our new Riverview Mission Statement.  While…

[intro]We serve a creator God.  The first sentence of the Bible in Genesis says, “ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” In fact,…

[intro]Each week, the MSU Venue introduces a different student on campus. This week, we’re introducing you to Brad.[/intro] So if not coffee, what in the…

[intro] Recently, The Bible Overview Project published a list of the top 10 least popular books of the Bible. Not surprisingly, 6 of the…

If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that…

[intro]”I don’t like seeing nice white bridal gowns on all those women who were sexually active before marriage.” I’ve paraphrased it a little, but that’s…

[intro]Each week, the MSU Venue introduces a different student on campus. This week we’re introducing you to Nina.[/intro] What is your favorite song currently? Nina:…

[intro]Riv features a crazy number of talented bands across all three venues. This time, we’re introducing you to The Difficulty.[/intro] Who all is in The…

[intro]Did you know that 71% of men would click on a porn link if no-one else would know?[/intro] There…

[intro]Each week, the MSU Venue introduces a different student on campus. This week we’re introducing you to Emily.[/intro] How has God worked the bad for…

[intro]Would you like to be part of a ministry that makes a real difference in others’ lives when they need it most…

[intro]”Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6[/intro] If you’re…

By Krista Regan [intro]God hears our prayers. God wants us to ask—and He wants to give accordingly (Matthew 7:7). [/intro] With the ways in which…

[intro]Riv features a crazy number of talented bands across all three venues. This time, we’re introducing you to Ish.[/intro] Who all is in Ish?…

[intro]For a number of years, Riv folks have generously donated hundreds of holiday meals to local people who need them. It’s easy, and it can even…

[intro]If you’ve been to Riverview more than once or twice, you’ve probably heard our mission statement: to make sacrificial followers of Christ who grow, serve,…

This past weekend we started in on our series going through the book of 1 John. This book is a bit weird because it keeps…

I am always on the lookout for writing that captures the heart of the gospel. One of my huge concerns for the evangelical church today…

[intro]Riv features a crazy number of talented bands across all three venues. This time, we’re introducing you to Ship Shape.[/intro] Who all is in Ship…

There’s been a shift in recent decades to increasingly delayed marriage. In 1960, the median age for a first marriage for men was 23.…

[intro]Every year, thousands of new students start college at MSU or LCC. The transition to college creates new opportunities and new challenges. [/intro] The Opportunities…

[intro]Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.—Matthew 25:40 Women’s…

By Stephanie Ryan [intro]Refresh seeks to encourage moms of young children that what they do matters and is important. Here’s one mom’s story.[/intro]…

[intro]Grief as defined by Merriam Webster: A cause of deep sadness.[/intro] I have never been one to cry much, but recently it’s been different.  It…

[intro]You have to admit, the concept of baptism is kind of a weird one, especially if you’re new to the church. Pulling a giant hot…

[intro] A few years ago, we went through a series on generosity called, “He Gave, We Give.” In response to some of the…

Just in case you’re new to the ranks, let’s start with a definition of terms. At Riverview, we talk a lot about our church mission,…

[intro]“I am laying down the law.”[/intro] When someone throws this phrase in our face, they are telling us we are out of line and demanding…

[intro] Chances are you’ve noticed a lot of things changing around Riv recently. New signs out front, a new weekly handout, a fresh website, and…

[intro] Here and there around Riv lately, we’ve been promoting a challenge, an invitation to join us by intentionally sharing Jesus with our city.[/intro] One…

[intro]What happens when we die? No, seriously. What really happens when we die?[/intro] For as long as I can remember people around me…