ABOUT OUR CHURCH
WHY START A NEW CHURCH
THE APPEAL OF NEW CHURCHES
"I want to go to a church that is established," I can almost hear someone say, "a church that has
a beautiful, historic edifice, and a long, rich tradition behind it." They begin to wax eloquent. "There's something about a great pipe organ that thrills my soul and lifts my spirit."
"And I want a preacher," adds a friend, "whose resonant voice rises and falls with measured cadence. I want a minister who dresses with dignity in the pulpit, who wears a flowing robe— like Robert Schuller, for instance."
Now, there's a lot to be said for established tradition, and God has given
us wonderful churches all over our community. But someone has to say a word
for newer congregations like ours. Younger churches are often rich in things
besides dazzling structures and thick carpets. Let me count the ways:
- New Churches Experience a Vital Faith. How do you start a church
from scratch? By a faith that envisions what God's will is and then
sees it come to pass. All God's children must be raised in an environment
of "can-do" faith, so they will find it hard later to settle for "ho-hum"
Christianity in the future.
- New Churches Welcome Newcomers. Newer churches don't treat
visitors as curious onlookers. We must reach out in friendship and build
relationships quickly. Plus, we know what it's like to be new, too!
- New Churches Are Flexible. If a change is needed, a new church
can't take a year to pass it through all the committees and subcommittees.
If we have to, we can put it together in the next week or two. Younger
churches are good at managing change; if we weren't we wouldn't have
made it this far.
- New Churches Enjoy Being Casual. Some folks enjoy dressing
up on Sundays—and that's okay and won't be discouraged—but most
of our people dress casually-and all will be welcomed. The outer appearance
isn't so important; it's the inner person who is important.
- New Churches Aren't Bound By Traditions. We have contemporary,
upbeat music that is in step with today's generation. We aren't a museum
for what was. We are a living laboratory of what is and must always
change to become what God wants us to become.
- New Churches Care about their Communities. Since we spring
directly out of the neighborhoods and apartment complexes in our community,
we grapple with relevant issues and minister to the entire family.
- New Churches Anticipate Having Lots of Children. We are sensitive
to the needs of families—the challenges of nuclear families, as well
as the struggles of single parents. Helping families raise their children
in matters of faith is a primary mission of God's church. Though there
always is a huge focus on parents and children, and raising another
generation faithful to God, singles and retirees in our church without
any children at home are a vital part of a new church family.
- New Churches Care for Hurting People. Many people don't come
to new churches with it all together. We are available to work on putting
it together. We realize that along the way there's lots of patience
and love and healing.
- New Churches Must Demonstrate How to Love. We don't have an
"edifice complex" because we do not start with a building. Our focus
is people. All God's children need to grow up in an atmosphere of caring
love, with genuine Christian fellowship as the norm. If God is love,
that's what His church is supposed to be like. Even if we are new and
young, we can love well, and that's our ultimate goal of simply being
like Jesus.
Additional Reading Materials
STRUCTURE
Church Leadership Approach at RVCC:
- Church Planter
- Steering Committee
- Treasurer and Financial Secretary
- Ministry Teams
Structuring the Church to Grow - Details (pdf file)
Church Membership Expectations at RVCC:
Church Discipleship Process at RVCC:
- Goal: Every member must be a minister or servant/leader for Christ!
- Develop faith, maturity, service, and leaders from our church family.
Church Ministry Teams at RVCC:
- Goal: Every member must assist the cause of Christ!
- Members will lead ministry teams accountable to the Steering Committee
Ministry Teams - Details (pdf file)
Church Plant Finances for RVCC:
Accountability:
- Church Treasurers
- Church Financial Secretary
Accounts:
- "Field of Dreams" - Donations for Future Property and Building Costs
- "Faith Promise" - Budget for Church - Gift Giving from Weekly Offerings
- Missions 05% of weekly offerings to "Faith Promise Fund"
SUPPORT
Would you like to help with this new church plant?
Here are a few ways for you to get involved:
- Be a prayer partner for the work of River Valley Christian Church
- Make a contribution to the "Field of Dreams" - property
Financial Support
- "Field of Dreams" - Donations for Future Property and Building Costs
- "Faith Promise" - Budget for Church - Gift Giving from Weekly Offerings
Sister Congregations in the Morgan County Area
- Independent Christian Churches and Ministers of Morgan County
- Liberty Christian Church, Tom Cash, Minister, Martinsville
- Eastview Christian Church, Rick Miller, Minister, Martinsville
- Centennial Christian Church, Martinsville
- Pleasant Grove Christian Church, David Vaughn, Minister, Martinsville
- Paragon Christian Church, Paragon
- Olive Christian Church, Jody England, Paragon
- New Life Christian Church, Paragon
- Morgantown Christian Church, Burt Brock, Minister, Morgantown
- Mt. Gilead Church, Jeff Faull, Mooresville
- Monrovia Christian Church, Kurt Alexander, Monrovia
- Eminence Christian Church, Ron Hallock, Eminence
- Alaska Christian Church, Eminence
Scripture: Romans 12:9-21
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Please email us if you'd like further information or to become involved
in this work.
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