Philosophy of Ministry

WORSHIP

We at Riverstone Church value building a place of worship for the Lord, a place of safe and enduring relationships, a place where the Word of God is valued highly and where His gifts are expected to flow freely. We are called to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, preparing a place for His presence in our lives, dwelling together in unity, communing with Him in worship and prayer, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, become a place of healing and a place of learning. All that we are and do starts with our relationship with God. We desire to know Him and His voice, be reconciled with Him, abide in Him and walk with Him and our brethren in unity. We endeavour to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Worship is our first priority and we are to make it a lifestyle. Worship is not simply singing to God but consecrating all that we do to His purposes and living our lives for Him. When we come together we attempt to make a significant time available to worship Him and to follow His leading. We welcome others into the fellowship of our worshiping church family — loving, learning, laughing, and living in harmony together. Our desire is to worship and serve together with a multi-ethnic, multi-generational group of believers that span the socio-economic spectrum.

WORD

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) The Bible is divinely inspired and is trustworthy and is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We should read it, study it, teach it and live by it. We are to be personally and corporately conformed into the image of Christ by the progressive proclamation and teaching of His Word. We are to make it our goal to teach and transmit His truth to every person we can through every means we can, discipling them into the kingdom of God. God’s word is the only true source of wisdom, authority and truth. We are committed to loving each other, speaking the truth of God’s word in love, as well as building up and equipping every believer to release their spiritual gifts for works of service. This is accomplished by helping them discover the gifts and talents God has given to them so they can become a mature expression of the Body of Christ. We desire to see people develop to spiritual maturity through Bible studies, small groups, seminars, retreats, and a Bible school for our members. We dream of sending out hundreds of career missionaries and church workers all around the world, and empowering every member for a personal life mission in the world.

WORKS

Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19, Isaiah 61: 1,2) In response to the Word of God, we desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ with our neighbours. We believe that He is doing those works through us today through the spiritual gifts that He has imparted. “To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, break every yoke, share our bread with the hungry, and bring to our house the poor who are cast out.” (Isaiah 58:6, 7). We choose to be a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated, and the confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, forgiveness, guidance, and encouragement. We desire to esteem the poor and treat them like we would treat the Lord Jesus Himself. We are called to love the world by serving people in word and deed, calling them to eternal life through the message of the gospel of Christ. This, our work, can only be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. We look to do this locally, in unity with believers in other bodies, in surrounding communities through church planting, and in the world through missionary outreach.