Riccarton Baptist Church

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Riccarton Baptist Church - About Us

What is the Church?

You may have a clear idea of what the church shouldn't be, but how would you describe a church that looks Biblical. The Bible paints a varied picture of what it means to be the church, but there are a couple of guiding principles in considering what it means to be the church.

They are found in 2 primary passages:

Read Acts 2:42-47. This passage describes what happens when conversion takes place and people are filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit. We relate differently, have different priorities and there is a dynamic in the way we relate to God and each other.

Read Ephesians 4:1-16. This passage describes a church that is under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people respect one another - are gifted and called to serve in the church and society - and are becoming more Christ-like as they achieve this.

The Church is God's people in community, reflecting God's presence and priorities.

This describes the church that we desire to be at Riccarton Baptist.

Vision Statement

The vision of Riccarton Baptist Church is to be a community of followers of Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God across the generations, across the cultures, across the city and across the world to the glory of God.

We believe God has been unfolding his purposes for us to be a family of great diversity that will reach across barriers that can divide.

These might be age barriers, or gender barriers, or cultural barriers, or social barriers, or disability barriers, or economic barriers. God has given us a heart to embrace this diversity and we are positioned geographically in a community of diversity.

Some key passages of Scripture that encourage us to pursue being God's family of great diversity are:

John 17:22 Jesus prayed for us, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

Acts 11:19-30 where it describes the church in Antioch being founded by intentionally reaching across cultural, gender, social and economic barriers and where they were first described as Christians.

Revelation 5:9-10 where it describes a great multitude representing "every tribe and language and people and nation."

Beliefs

We are a community of those who believe in God the Father, in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit - one God; who are repentant of sin and have been saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ through His atoning death and resurrection; who publicly confess their faith and who are committed to the church's aims and functions.

Leadership Team

Every organisation relies on good leadership.
The leadership structure of Riccarton Baptist includes Elders and Ministry Leaders.
Elders seek to discern God's direction and values for the church. These are communicated to the wider leadership and church for dialogue and affirmation. Elders are appointed by church members at the Annual Meeting in November.
Ministry Leaders are appointed by the Senior Pastor and Elders. Key qualities sought for in these people include a devotion to Jesus Christ and His Church, along with a passion for their ministry and an ability to develop a team to achieve their goals.