Monthly Financial Update

March 2024

March was a significant month at Riverside and we praise God for His faithfulness and grace!

While we welcomed new guests every week and people said 'YES!' to Jesus as Lord every week this month, we ended this 5 Sunday month with Easter weekend.  We saw more “walk-ins” (people without tickets) on Easter Sunday than ever before, and 34 more people said 'YES!' to Jesus Easter weekend this year than Easter weekend 2023, resulting in a total of 257 candles we lit to celebrate new life in Jesus!

To God and God alone be the glory!

Thank you for being outward-focused as a church.  I cannot emphasize enough how this makes such a difference in the life and health of any local church to keep the passion and priority of Jesus THE first priority of how it functions and ministers. 

In-person attendance was good this month, including our online presense.  This digital connection each Sunday helps people engage when distance or health does not allow in-person attendance.  Remember, if you and/or members of your family are out of town, live too far way geographically to attend in person, or are not feeling well on a Sunday, you can stay connected online, too!

We praise the Lord for everyone of you who give to the ministry of Riverside; your giving makes a difference in real people’s lives here and around the world every week.  Giving in March was okay, and our financial position remains good.  At this stage we continue to be ahead of giving in the Fuel for Ministry fund compared to this same time last year, which is positive, and which is vital for us to continue to experience this fiscal year.  Because of a large estate gift a year ago, we are still slightly behind in our Fuel for Global Missions fund compared to a year ago, so we are praying for more new people to take a NEXTSTEP above and beyond their regular giving and also give to fund our global partners.  We also have the ability through our partnership with Orchard Alliance to help you organize a will, and/or figure out how to give stock gifts, property, or other special gifts. If you are interested, you can learn more HERE.

Buffalo construction is proceeding and we are on target to open our newest campus later this year.  That does mean, however, the expenses to complete it are growing each week, and we need to see our weekly giving average increase to approved budgeted levels for not just our Big Lake and Sauk Rapids campuses, but also this 3rd campus.  Please ask the Lord what He wants you to do when it comes to your engagement in giving, and let God challenge your hearts.  Pray for everyone who considers Riverside Church their spiritual home to practice the grace of giving, that generosity will simply be a “normal” response for our church (no matter what the economy is like) so we can reach more people for Jesus. 

Digital giving makes such a huge difference in so many people’s lives here, and it is the main way people give to Riverside.  It is a great tool that helps people develop the consistent practice of the grace of giving and putting God first in their finances.  On average, 73% of all our giving happens digitally, and we have more households making reoccurring digitals gifts than ever before! Join the growing number of people at Riverside who are discovering how this makes such a difference in their spiritual journey.  You can always give it a try; find details and options HERE under the "Ways to Give" section.

Both the opportunities and obstacles we face are very real in these challenging days as we navigate our lives and ministries in a deeply divided and confused world.  This is true for any of God’s churches seeking to partner with Him in making a Kingdom impact.  Keep praying God will clearly lead, empower and care for us in all areas of ministry moving forward.

God is at work in and through Riverside, touching the lives of thousands of people every week in significant ways. Your gifts help make that happen, both now and for eternity.

God bless you all!

Pastor Tom

Weekly Averages for March 2024:

  • Average In-person Sunday Attendance: 2,192
  • Average Online attendance: 636
  • Fuel for Ministry Fund: $79,513
      Our approved Big Lake/Sauk Rapids/Buffalo/Central weekly budget is $92,274
  • Fuel for Global Ministries Fund: $7,198