When we talk about our Vision, Mission and Values imagine standing at the base of a mountain with an exploration team preparing to ascend to the very peak. Three questions might come to your mind, firstly what's at the top of this thing, what route should we take and finally what supplies do we need to take with us.
Our Vision is what's at the top of the mountain...
"KINGDOM ADVANCING CHURCH WHERE GOD'S GLORY AND GRACE ARE ON DISPLAY"
God's Glory is the very expression of who He is, God's very nature, His characteristics, His image is seen in us. We want Jesus to be seen, to be known and to be loved by his Church. When you read 2 Cor 3:17-18, we all have the glory of the Lord upon us. It's not a glory that will fade away, but one that will grow brighter and brighter.
God's Grace is what changed the game. We are who we are because of God's Grace is freely given to us, his chosen people. We don't see Grace as a chair that you temporarliy sit in until you grow up enough to be a Disciple. We see Grace as the foundation on which everything is built upon. Grace is God's espressed love for us when he sent Jesus to reunite people back to himself.
Concerning God's Kingdom, let's simply say that this is where we live. We are a Kingdom people, called by God to extend His borders. We do that by Gathering, Growing and Going. As citizens of his Kingdom, we emphasis three things, reuniting people back to God, disciples making disciples and reproducing. Living in the Kingdom of God is a blast and we desire that all should experience Kingdom living.
"ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY BUILDING FAITH COMMUNITIES WHERE MEMBERS ARE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LIVE GOSPEL CENTERED LIVES."
This is the part of the exploration where we decide the path to take in order for us to reach the mountain top, to see the vision lived out in our church community. We would sum up or mission with these four words, Kingdom, Community, Spirit and Gospel.
Kingdom living only takes place within community, our Community Groups are centered around the Gospel of Jesus. Kingdom people are Spirit filled people, a people that believe we are called to a life of walking in the Spirit, Gal 5:16.
This is the third part of our expedition, the tools we will take on the journey. We have a clear vision of what's at the top of the mountain. We've decided upon the route we need to take. The final question left what tools are nececary for us to reach the top?
How we live! Reading Acts chapter 2 we see a people living in community, not superficially, but rather authentically. Needs are expressed and met without prejudice or bias. The River Center hungers for this type of Biblical Community where all are welcomed.
The Spirit and Truth are not an either/or resolution, but rather a harmonious discovery where the Truth and the Spirit flourish. We are a people saturated with the truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live as citizens of a Kingdom where Jesus is Lord.
Worship is a lifestyle that is expressed in how we live. It’s more than just something we do it’s who we are. We at the River Center believe we face a worship crisis not a sin crisis. We are discovering what it is to worship Jesus in spirit and truth.
River Center people are a sent people. We understand our purpose is to go starts right here in Lebanon! Each one of us has received grace gifts not for our benefit but for the benefit of others. We are called as co-laborers with Jesus who is in the business of restoring people back to God.
The church is a community of believers that have been gifted by the Holy Spirit to live life for the common good. We are called to use what God has given us to encourage and strengthen the entire church. We are called to live life, "All in"! We are walking this out in our serving, giving and going.
We were once lost, trying to find ourselves in fame, money and possessions. In the midst of our despair Jesus saved us. He called us out and said, “You are now mine.” Our identity is found in Him. Our hope, our peace, our joy, our purpose is found in Him alone.