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."

Values

Authenticity - we will be honest and real with ourselves, each other and God.

Biblical Faithfulness - the Bible is our ultimate guide for personal faith and life together as growing, maturing followers of Jesus Christ.

Compassion - we will be accepting of everyone and respond with compassion and justice to each person.

Diversity and Interdependence - God loves a church of diverse yet interdependent people. Through variety in ministries, ministry teams, life groups and corporate unity we will welcome all and celebrate our differing roles in the church.

Evangelism - every person matters to God and as people of the "good news", we have a responsibility and privilege to share this with them.

Humility - recognizing our weakness, we acknowledge our dependence on God.

Intimacy with God - worship and prayer are vital to our relationship with God, in surrendering ourselves to him, in seeking his will and receiving all he has for us.

Relevancy - we will seek to relate and communicate with our culture in ways that help people meet with God.

Servant Leadership - we will empower, encourage and equip people to be all they can be by developing their natural and spiritual gifts to serve God.