These values represent the core principles that shape the culture and drive the ministry of River Church. They embody our identity and guide our activity as a local expression of the Body of Christ. In short, the following nine convictions reflect the heart of River Church. From a theological and practical perspective, we see a natural progression from one value to another as listed below.
We believe in and are passionate about reading, studying, and obeying the Word of God. The Bible is foundational to all that we think, do, or say as believers, and is the source that shaped the nine core values of River Church. The Bible is God’s revelation of Himself to man and is the only absolute and authoritative rule for our faith and practice. As prayer is the means by which we talk to God, the Scriptures are the primary means by which God speaks to us.
Scriptural Basis: 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Deut. 6:1-8; Matt. 4:4, 13:18-23; Ps. 1:1-6, 19:7-10, 119:11, 89, 105; Jer. 20:8-9; Heb. 4:12; Josh. 8:34-35; 2 Kings 22:8-13; Neh. 8:1-8; Lk. 4:16; Col. 4:16; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Tim 2:2, 15; Jn. 8:31-32, 14:23-24; Acts 6:4; James 1:21-25.
We believe in and are passionate about devoting ourselves to God in prayer. Communication is essential to every healthy relationship. Prayer is the means by which we communicate our thoughts and feelings to the Lord. The Bible teaches us to “pray without ceasing.” Setting aside a specific time every day to pray is a catalyst for continuing in an attitude of prayer throughout the day. The entire Christian life should be nurtured and sustained by communion with God in prayer and by making our requests known to Him.
Scriptural Basis: Matt. 6:5-13; 7:7-11; Mk. 1:35; Lk. 11:1; Ex. 33:18; Rom. 12:12; 1 Sam. 12:23; 1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6-7; Acts 2:42, 4:31, 10:30-31, 13:3; 1Kings 18:24, 36-39; Is. 56:7; Eph. 1:16-23, 6:18; Rev. 5:8; James 5:13-18.
We believe in and are passionate about God’s plan for man to share His image and reflect His character. Becoming more like Jesus Christ is the central principle behind Christian discipleship. In the Bible God has revealed His character to be holy, just, gracious, loving, faithful, and true. We are committed to the process of spiritual formation whereby God is forming His character in us by the Holy Spirit.
{While some values explain why we do certain things as a church, the value of godly character answers the question of who we are becoming as individuals in the church.}
Scriptural Basis: Gen. 6:9, 18:19; Ex. 18:21, 19:6, 34:6-7; Ps. 35:5, 7, 10; 1 Jn. 4:7-11, 5:20; Jn. 3:33; 2 Pet. 1:3-9; 1 Pet. 1:14-17; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 5:48; Rom. 5:1-5; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-16; Pr. 10:9, 11:3, 20:7; Dan 6:1-5; Job 1:1.
We believe in and are passionate about having families that place the Lord at the center of all they do. The family is the relational structure created by God for men, women, and children to experience His love and the healthy relationships that flow from it. While the church plays a significant role in the spiritual life of the family, it is primarily the parent’s role to lead and teach their children to live lives that are pleasing to God. River Church is committed to assisting parents in the discipling and training of their children, and to honoring the priority of family time through our ministries and activities.
Scriptural Basis: Joshua 24:14-15; Gen. 1:26-28, 2:20-24, 18:19; Ex. 20:12, 14; Dt. 6:4-7; Pr. 13:24, 20:7, 22:6, 15, 29:15, 31:10-31; Ps. 1; Mt. 19:3-9, 13-15; Mal. 2:14-16, 4:6; Acts 2:38-39; Eph. 5:22-6:4; Col. 3:18-21; Is. 44:3-5.
We believe in and are passionate about living in community with fellow believers. The Triune nature of God is our supreme example of spiritual community. A community of interdependent love exists between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God has graciously invited us into this community of love and calls all believers to live in interdependent relationships of love with one another. Therefore, we seek to attain the oneness that Jesus prayed for His followers to have by opening our lives and homes to one another, bearing one another’s burdens, speaking the truth in love, and assisting one another toward the ultimate goal of maturity in Christ.
Scriptural Basis: Gen. 1:26-31, 2:18; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:4-5; Jn. 13:34-35, 15:12-13, 17:11, 21-22; Matt. 18:15-20; Eph. 4:1-16; Gal. 6:2; Pr. 27:17; 1 Jn. 1:7; 3:17, 4:7-11; Eccl. 4:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Heb. 10:23-25; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Pet. 2:4-10.
We believe in and are passionate about offering our time, resources, and talents to help meet the needs of others. Jesus demonstrated by word and example that those who are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven are those who serve others. This marks our attitude and approach to ministry among our brothers and sisters in the church, and toward those we serve in our surrounding communities.
Scriptural Basis: Lev. 19:18; Phil. 2:1-11; Mk. 10:35-45, 12:31; Jn. 13:5-17, 34-35, 15:12-14; James 1:27; Gal. 5:13-14, 6:2; 1 Pet. 5:5; 1 Cor. 13; Rom. 12:1-2, 10; 1 Jn. 3:17-18; 1 Thess. 3:12.
We believe in and are passionate about sharing our faith in Jesus Christ with those who do not know, or have yet to experience His saving grace. Jesus expects His followers to communicate the message of the Gospel to their generation. While this may be accomplished in a variety of ways, sharing a verbal witness that is supported by a faithful lifestyle is the responsibility and privilege of every believer.
Scriptural Basis: Acts 1:8, 4:18-31, 8:5, 11:21, 12:24; 26:18; Mt. 4:19, 9:37, 24:14, 28:18-20; Jn. 4:39; Gen. 3:15; Ps. 62:7; Lk. 9:60; 2 Tim. 4:5; Eph. 4:11; Rom. 1:16, 10:8-17; 1 Cor. 9:16; 1 Pet. 3:15; Col. 1:28; 2 Cor. 5:19-20.
We believe in and are passionate about spreading the Gospel throughout all nations. Jesus left the church with clear instructions to proclaim the Good News, by beginning with those in our immediate sphere of influence and continuing further on to regions where the message has yet to be preached. As believers, we each are to play a part in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Scriptural Basis: Matt. 9:36-38, 28:18-20; Jn. 20:21; Lk. 24:46-49; Mk. 16:15-20; Acts 1:8, 13:2-4, 16:9-10; Rom. 15:18-21; 2 Cor. 5:19-20; Jn. 3:16; Rev. 5:9.
We believe in and are passionate about living lives that continually give the glory that is due to God alone. While Scripture specifically teaches us to set apart times for the express purpose of worshipping God, we are also taught to offer our entire lives as a sacrifice to Him as an act of worship. Worship should involve the whole person: body, emotions, intellect, and will. Worship is a lifestyle of loving obedience; therefore whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of God
Scriptural Basis: Col. 3:16-17; I Cor. 10:31, 14:23-25; Eph. 1:12, 5:17-20; Rom. 6:12-13, 12:1-2; Ex. 3:12; Ps. 27:4, 8, 29:2, 95:6, 99:9, 100:2; Matt. 4:8-10; 5:22-23; Jn. 4:23-24; Phil. 3:3; Rev. 4:10-11, 15:3-4, 19:10; 22:9; Is.6:1-8; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9.