Communities

We’re all craving community right now. So how do we gather as the church while not actually gathering? Well, get together with your people and be the church in community.

We need each other

During this cultural moment that we’re all experiencing, we’ve all realized how essential community is to our lives. It is with other people that we are socially fed, encouraged in our pursuits, challenged as individuals, and altogether mutually built up. This sudden lack of gathering in most areas of life that we’re all experiencing isn’t normal and although some things may look different for a while, this isn’t going to last forever. As the Church, we are called to love one another in community and build each other up to be more like Jesus.

While our weekend service gatherings are entirely digital, we want to encourage you to reach out and engage with your community in any way that you can. Prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community prevents large-group gatherings, but small groups and outdoor meeting spaces allow us to seek out community with one another.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
– Hebrews 10:23-25

Riv Communities

The basis of our Riv Communities is pretty simple really. Though the physical doors or our venues may be closed at the moment, the Church is still the Church, and you are the Church scattered across our city and beyond. So that first half is you; you are Riv. You carry the truth and power of the Gospel out in your context and represent our church family in your neighborhood. The second part is really whoever you cross paths with; your Life Group, roommates, family, neighbors, friends, or co-workers. We can all seek out Gospel community by stepping out in faith to engage with those around us. If you’re looking for a way to get connected with a Riv Community, click below to get started.

 

Connecting with each other

First and foremost, we’d encourage you to consider joining a Life Group. Across the city some groups are meeting in parks, on back porches, in small numbers inside, or digitally, and all intentionally making space for Gospel-focused interaction and encouragement. Click the button below if you’d like to get connected with one of these small groups that meets near you.

 
In addition to our Life Groups, here are some other ideas to consider as you seek to build Riv Communities where you are:

  • attend our weekend service together in a backyard
  • pray with someone while walking around a park
  • grab takeout with your Life Group and talk about what’s going on in your lives
  • start a group chat with people you normally sit next to at Riv
  • check out our upcoming events at Riv and invite your neighbors to join
  • read through a book of the Bible with some friends over zoom (bonus points to loop in friends out of state)
  • commit to our 21 Days Of Prayer with your roommates and make time each day to pray together
  • anything else that brings you together with others where you can point each other to the Gospel

None of this is hugely complex, but might take a step of faith to reach out to others and take the initiative to build community where you are. As you build your own Riv Communities with your people, please reach out to let us know how it’s going for you or if you’re looking for any additional resources!

[email protected]

Whoever you’re with,
wherever you are,
join in community.