Both Sunday Morning Services

MEMBERSHIP

River Valley Church exists to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus
who love one another and impact the world with the gospel.

The gospel calls us simultaneously to two relationships. The first is a relationship with God the Father through his son Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. The second is a relationship with his people in the kingdom. Membership in a local church is recognition of a commitment to participate in the community of God’s people on mission together. Members of River Valley are those who are in covenant with one another and living out our mission to make disciples of Jesus, love one another, and impact the world with the gospel.

Membership in a local church should be thought of as a very serious commitment. Becoming a member of a church is about becoming a part of a family on mission, not simply joining an organization. That’s why we believe it’s so important to share all the details of what we do, why we do it, and how we do it so you can decide whether this is the church for you.

Pathway to Membership

Step #1: Attend a Service
As a body of believers, we gather to worship the Lord, sit under biblical teaching, and fellowship with each other on Sundays at 9:00 and 11:00am. If we truly want to be known by the same characteristics as the early church, then we must gather regularly to do these things together as the body of Christ. Our Sunday morning gatherings are the primary place where these things regularly take place.
Step #2: Attend Starting Point
Starting Point is the best place for you to learn about our mission, philosophy of ministry, and discover how you and your family can get connected. Even if you’ve been attending River Valley for years and haven’t attended Starting Point, we strongly encourage you to do so prior to participating in our Membership Class.

1st Sunday of every month at 9:00am | Room 101 | Kids Ministry offered during class
No need to register for Starting Point, just show up.
Step #3: Join a Community Group
Community Groups are at the core of who we are as a church. Being in a Community Group is the primary place for each of us to live out River Valley’s mission. It’s within the context of community that we best mirror the early church as we read and discuss Scripture together, pray and care for one another, and live as salt and light within our community. Join a Community Group to experience the rich, full life of discipleship that the early church must have been like!
Step #4: Attend a Membership Class
The gospel calls us simultaneously to two relationships. The first is a relationship with God the Father through his son Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. The second is a relationship with his people in the kingdom. Membership in a local church is recognition of a commitment to participate in the community of God’s people on mission together. This is a serious commitment so we believe it’s important to share all the details of what we do, why we do it, and how we do it so you can decide whether this is the church for you.
Whether you are new to River Valley, or you’ve been with us for a while but have never attended Starting Point, please attend Starting Point prior to the Membership Class. See Step #2 above.

If you are married, please attend the Membership Class with your spouse.
Step #5: Serve and Lead in the Church
We often think of Jesus’ call to follow him and be "fishers of men" as one man at one pond with one pole trying to catch one fish, but Jesus was referring to fishing with a net. This kind of fishing requires that the many strands of the net be in good working order. As members of a community on mission, we have the privilege of weaving our spiritual gifts, time, and resources together into a strong and powerful net. We want to be a gospel community living out the gospel mission with no holes in our net.
So, what’s your strand in the net?
If you need help registering for a Membership Class you can contact the Church Office at 574.258.5513 or info@rivervalley.net.