A New Kind of Sunday Rhythm
By Michael Benson
Communications Director
Before River City Church launched three-and-a-half years ago in Vancouver, Washington, they sent out a neighborhood survey asking two questions: “What does this neighborhood need?” and “Does this neighborhood need a new church?” The answer to the first question was mostly filled with people wanting a kinder and more loving neighborhood, care for the unhoused population, and volunteer opportunities and family friendly activities on the weekends. The answer to the second question was resoundingly, “No.”
Pastor Ryan Sidhom thought it was a shame all the things people did want weren’t things they automatically associated with a neighborhood church.
Simultaneous to this survey, Ryan was studying the early church in Acts and noted what he considered to be four tenets of what a church should be: devotion to the apostles’ teaching, sacrificially giving to provide for those in need, gathering together often to enjoy each other’s company, and constant devotion to prayer. As a result of this study in Acts and the neighborhood survey, River City Church developed a different kind of weekend rhythm they refer to as Study/Serve/Study/Play. . . .
Fall 2022 TouchPoint
The newest edition of TouchPoint is out now, and it is simply bursting at the seems with stories and resources! The fall 2022 newsletter includes:
- An interview with a Christine Okken, executive assistant to Harry Kelm and member of McKernan Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta.
- A recap of the first connection luncheon post-Covid, which took place at Century Baptist Church in Bismarck, North Dakota.
- Four different Advent devotional recommendations.
- And much more!
Check out the fall 2022 TouchPoint newsletter at the link below. You can also sign up to receive the newsletters in your inbox, as well as check out the previous editions.
Christmas Offering
In this year’s Christmas Offering, you can read the story of an NAB church that has chosen to step into difficult corners of the world and their community where we are most needed to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Read how their commitment to cross-cultural ministry has led them to beautiful place and allowed them to help one refugee family from Ukraine.
Read the full story at the link below. You can also find out ways to support the NAB’s efforts to help churches across the conference engage in cross-cultural ministry.
Give to the Christmas Offering
2022 Intent to Give Booklet
If you’ve ever been curious about what exactly happens conference-wide at the NAB, the Intent to Give booklet has the answer. This brochure details the various ministries and resources that are supported through gifts to the NAB Conference and tells stories from pastors, missionaries, and leaders across the NAB.
End-of-Year Giving
As you consider donating to the NAB in tax year 2022, here are a few factors to keep in mind to make sure that we are able to give you a tax receipt for calendar year 2022:
- If you are sending a check, please make sure it is dated no later than December 31, 2022, and the envelope is postmarked no later than December 31, 2022.
- Online credit card transactions must be charged no later than December 31, 2022.
- Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) forms must be received at NAB’s Roseville, California, office no later than December 19, 2022.
- In order to donate stock prior to the end of the year, notification must be received at NAB’s Roseville, California, office no later than December 14, 2022.
Please note the NAB International Office is closed beginning at 4:00 p.m. (PST) on Thursday, December 22, 2022, and reopens at 7:00 a.m. (PST) on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.