Frequently asked questions.

Q: How old is River47?
A: On the one hand River47 has been in existence more than 40 years and was formerly known as Orange Covenant Church. On the other hand with 80% of the congregation new in the last 2-3 years and moving forward at a better than 25% growth rate, we have the feel of a new church.

Q: What are the people like who come to River47?
A: You’ll find a wide swath of age, educational and socio-economic backgrounds. There are people who are teachers, entrepreneurs, carpenters, artisans and service industry professionals as well as the occasional college professor. On the other side of the scale there are folk struggling to make ends meet and a few who have struggled with homelessness. Age wise we are strong crib through retirement with the congregation trending toward the younger side. Ethnically, we are beginning to diversify, but are not where we dream of being one year from now, when we’d like to be able to say, “We are very diverse ethnically as well!”

Q: What’s the “feel” of River47?

A: We’re constantly hearing that it feels alive, like home, safe and about ready to bust all at the same time. That’s a pretty good description

We like to laugh a lot.
· It’s an environment that is casual but focused on the essentials of life.
· There’s a sense that we’re all a part of something exciting and bigger than ourselves.
· It’s a place filled with a new generation that is exploring and cultivating a deeper relationship with God.
· It’s a place that let’s you take steps toward God and others when you’re ready.
· It’s a colorful place. It’s a tapestry of people from all walks of life.
· It’s a place that kids will drag their parents to come to church on Sunday morning!
· It’s a place that’s not perfect but desires to be a real, honest family.

Q: What healthy food do you offer on Sunday morning?
A: Of course, the very best! We have doughnuts to add inches to your figure! And coffee to keep you perky and alert!

Q: How did River47 get it’s name?
A: The vision of River47 began with the prayers of our pastor. Sensing that the congregation and himself for that matter lacked a sense of vision and direction, he committed himself to pray his brains out over a week of family camp at Forest Home. There, Frank felt the Lord nudging him toward the concept of a river. Frank’s immediate response was, “River? God, there’s no river in Orange!” Still he felt a nudge to look through the Bible for verses related to this concept. A few minutes later Frank found himself in Ezekiel 47 where among other things it says “Wherever the River flows everything will live!”

Sharing this concept with our Church Council (a.k.a. leadership team) and later our congregation, we felt God leading us in this direction and so put it to the congregation to give us suggestions for a name that would include our Core Values and the ideas gleaned from Ezekiel 47.

The actual name was the brainchild of a much loved new Christian in our church family, who came to our church and faith while awaiting trial. Involved in a tragic auto accident that claimed two lives, this young woman was sentenced to 6 years at Chowchilla. It is from that place, that she suggested the name to us.
So there it is, the congregation that seeks to bring life to the barren wastelands of life, found its name from that one among us who arguably might be said to be living in one of the most barren wastelands of all, the State Correctional System.

Q: What do you believe?
A: We affirm the historic creeds of the Church, such as The Apostle’s Creed. We focus on the essentials, not the nonessentials. We allow for liberty in the gray areas.

Q: Who do you affiliate or partner with?
A: We are a part of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America. We also partner with Young Life, Living Well, Overseas Mission Fellowship and World Relief to name a few.

Q: What is your bottom line?
A: We’re about learning to love God and our neighbors. We desire to see lives, communities and nations transformed. Our hope is that through River47, many people will find a place to belong, discover God’s dream for their lives and grow to the point where they can give back to God and others what was first given to them.

Q: What are some good ways to connect?
A: Come to our worship services. Join in with one of our second hour growth opportunities where you’ll get a chance to immediately know and be known outside of the larger worship context. Take a chance and join in one of our fellowship activities (A few weeks ago we had over 60 people at a pick up football game – we were never the same after that). Ask a pastor to go get coffee or lunch with you sometime during the week – accessibility is a pretty high value with them. Join one of our volunteer teams.

Q: What type of music do we normally play in your services?
A: All types but our primary style of music is definitely contemporary

Q: How do I become a member?
A: You sign over your firstborn to us. . . . Just kidding! You can find out details by attending our River47 Connections (offered once a quarter). During this fun time, you’ll eat, learn about River47 and find out the next step to becoming a member of our church.