Local church plans youth development expansion on Faribault Daily News

By: mama on 2/6/09
What a wonderful idea! Faribault needs something for our young people. We wonder why so many of them get into trouble, yet we don't provide a place for them to go or things for them to do.

I've recently started attending River Valley Church (on Ravine St...where the old Assemblies of God church used to be), and if you're looking for a non-judgmental, loving, true-to-Word church, this is the place. The minute I walked in, I felt at home. There are programs for young people and children that equal no other church that I've been to here in Faribault.

And no...I don't work for the church. LOL Just a very satisfied, soon-to-be member.

By: SonnyII on 2/6/09

Admittedly, the following is all conjecture as I've never attended RVC, but the place does sound quite similar to what I've experienced elsewhere.

If so, the "church" sounds downright dangerous, the blind leading the blind? There's probably raucous rock music, amplified "music," violent strumming on guitars, throbbing drums with a sensual beat; gals and gents in jeans looking like they're at a football game; some "pastor" who looks cool, you know the guy who's always called by first name, with an open collar and either the blow dry or gel-in-the-hair look; maybe Las Vegas wannabees with their lipstick gloss and sheeny hair as part of the "worship team" and then a bonus today, some couple who will PERFORM, a "special" contemporary "Christian" duet that sounds like orgasmic moaning, and people go home thinking they've been blessed.

Having been entertained, they've learned how to feel good and comfortable about themselves, having received both amateur and peer counseling instead of any counsel from godly, stable parental guidance.

After all, those attending have the same kind of music as the world, and they've been told, "You're okay and I'm okay." Besides, it was fun to get in a circle and share our hollow, self-centered feelings... "Did you know my parents are so mean. They wouldn't let me..."

It's probably like one of those places that has a "church" sign that says, "Attend here and we'll meet your needs."
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What we really need is a church that says, "Attend here and we'll all learn how to meet the needs of others." It would be great to have churches truly proclaim the Gospel message and WHAT IS TO ACCOMPANY THAT BELIEF, not the easy believism of today and that everyone's going to heaven anyway. A charge needs to be spoken by the pastor, a challenge made about our walk with the Lord. Instead of silliness, have youth actually go out evangelizing with adults, help with Sunday School and give instruction about character traits. It would be ever so helpful to have a church that truly preaches about sin as well as our responsibilities, a meeting place which preaches with application for living unto the Lord.

By: mick7291 on 2/6/09
SonnyII please come and visit RVC and I think you will be happily surprised at what you will find. Yes I do attend RVC have for over a year now. I had many of the beliefs you expressed. I was put off by what I had seen other churches do being all gloss and no substance. Yes RVC is "hip" and "cool" using technology and great contemporary worship music but it is much more than that. The message it true, in fact your last paragraph sums up RVC pretty well except there is some "silliness" (see music video on the RVC website) but that does not detract from the message only adds. I have been challanged more in the last year of worship there then in my previous 35 years. Just in January we started or were challanged with a church wide daily devotional, a 21 day fast, and of course the youth center projects. But in order to really belive me you'll just have to come and see for yourself and i hope you do.

As far as these youth centers I can't wait to see them completed. Our youth have so much to deal with in todays society and the choices they have for things to do or places to go that keep them out of trouble let alone teach them are getting fewer and fewer.