Because Fayette

County has experienced consistent growth in the last 15-20 years, new

churches have cropped up as if overnight to meet the spiritual needs of

a growing population. Our church was one of those "new" churches.

Ten years ago this month, through unusual circumstances, the Lord and

I started River's Edge Community Church. My wife, Mary Ann, and my daughter,

Anna, along with a handful of faithful folks have hung in there with me

over these ten years. I am most grateful to them for their continued partnership

through all kinds of unbelievable events.

I believe though

many have come and gone I have been faithful to the vision God gave me

for a new church. Even as new ministries and new churches are beginning

as I write, I encourage you anchor your church in God's vision he has

given you. Let me share the vision he gave me.

First, God

commissioned me to start a church open to all races (you see I kinda'

believe all races will populate heaven). At the beginning we were an all

white church, but with God's vision entrusted and intact. If you are an

all white church and God has commissioned you to be an integrated fellowship,

the word "intentionality" takes on an important and strategic

meaning. African-Americans, justly, are a bit suspicious when a white

man comes around inviting them. They wonder, "What does he want?"

I remember when our first African-American family visited us and later

joined. I thanked God that he was being true to the vision he gave me.

And, I was profoundly grateful to that family for giving River's Edge

a chance to prove our vision.

Today, we have

a growing African-American presence in our church. One of three elders

is black and three of six deacons are black. I am proud of the fact that

at River's Edge Community Church the content of one's character and not

the color of their skin defines a person.

However, an

integrated church does not come easy. A church that seeks to be integrated

seriously and not tokenly must experience diversity training and must

really mean it when singing, "Red, yellow, black, and white, they

are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."

The Atlanta City Church, under the anointed leadership of Pastors Rick

and Susan Snow, are to be congratulated because they are light years ahead

of most churches in this area of racial diversity.

Second, God

commissioned me to start a church with a focus on interior values, not

exterior. At River's Edge, what you believe is more important than what

you wear. This past Sunday morning, we had folks wearing Bermuda shorts

during the "high and holy hour" of worship. Some wear jeans;

some wear coats and ties; some wear pretty dresses. It does not matter.

A member of our praise team wears a diamond ear ring. Our church hardly

noticed when a young man visited us with his spiked green hair. Isn't

this kind of thinking fairly Biblical? Did not Samuel, voicing God's heart,

declare that God looks at the heart on the inside and not the physical

appearance on the outside (this was in connection to anointing David as

king to succeed Saul).

Third, God

commissioned me to start a church that would exercise simple, New Testament

government. The New Testament says that the church should be governed

serve the physical and spiritual needs of the family of faith, rather

than leaving all the hard work to the pastor. Our deacons truly minister

as servants. We don't have a plethora of committees, boards and councils.

Our government is simple and thoroughly Biblical. The true work of the

church is not done in committees but in the fields that are ripe unto

harvest.

Fourth, God

commissioned me to start a church in which every worship service was a

celebration of the resurrection. Some church services are like a funeral.

"Where's the body" would be an appropriate question. Yet, the

Christian church gathers on the first day of the week, Sunday, because

the Resurrection took place on the first day of the week; and, Pentecost

the birthday of the church took place on the first day of the week. Both

Easter's Resurrection and Pentecost's birthday are victorious and celebrative

events. Every Sunday service should represent a celebrative, victorious,

exciting, and holy festival in the name of our victorious Lord Jesus Christ.

He's alive, not dead. His church should act like it.

If you come

to River's Edge, you'll discover we're excited about our risen Savior

and we have a clapping, sometimes shouting, always smiling good time in

the Lord as we worship, sing, and praise his holy name.

During these

ten years, the Lord has pruned me. He's taken me to the "shed"

a few times. Some folks have gotten hopping mad at me because, you see,

I've not done it all right all ten years. That's why I am thankful there's

a lot of forgiveness in our church body.

But, the vision

is intact and that's so crucial to the beginning of a new ministry or

church.

The Bible says,

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Vision! All important.

What's your church's vision? What's your vision for you and your family?

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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