Welcome to Riverview

To lead people to Christ and Welcome to Riverview build them in a worshipping community. T people to Chri and build the into a worshi community. T What to expect at Riverview Church

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Thank you so much for your interest in being part of this community of faith called Riverview Church.

We believe with passion and conviction that God has called us to a mission – to lead people to Christ and build them into a worshipping community. Mission is the main thing – it is the heart of our church; it is the core reason we exist; it guides what we do and why we do it and we believe it is worth our time and talents.

The wonderful result of working to achieve our mission day by day is that it leads us toward what we believe God has given us as the vision for our church. Vision is what we want our church to look like and feel like as a result of fulfilling our mission – it is a picture that produces passion in us now.

This handbook makes clear what it means to be part of this church. Although we are all wired differently and represent a kaleidoscope of personalities and abilities, the people of Riverview Church face the same direction – committed to our mission and united by our vision.

Thank you so much for considering partnering with us – together we can impact our world with the gospel of Christ.

Warmly Haydn Nelson Senior Minister

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What’s inside?

Welcome 2 Our Story

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What we believe

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What we value

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Our environments

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Getting connected

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Care and Growth

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Giving: what we believe

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Governance and financial reporting

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Frequently asked questions

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Riverview is My Church form

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WELCOME TO RIVERVIEW

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Our Story The very first Riverview Church service was held in December of 1979 under the name ‘Inner City Faith Fellowship’ in a small hall in Belmont, Perth Western Australia with only a handful of people in attendance.

Inspired by the simple gospel message of reconciliation with God and others, this small gathering flourished in number outgrowing several Perth inner-city venues during the early 1980s. In 1985 the church was renamed Rhema Family Church and moved to its current home in Burswood, just outside Perth City.

In 1989 Philip Baker, the son of the church’s founders and first Senior Ministers, was appointed as the new Senior Minister. Under young and fresh leadership, the 1990’s proved to be a period of significant change. Although the simple message of reconciliation remained core, the church became committed to reaching beyond itself and becoming a place where anybody could feel welcomed and included. This significant shift was marked by a change in name in 1998 to Riverview Church. Over the next decade the church continued to grow steadily, attracting people from

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all over the city of Perth. During this time the church added two new campuses, one in the northern suburb of Joondalup and another in the southern suburb of Cockburn Central.

In mid 2009, Philip Baker faced an unexpected health crisis that resulted in him resigning his leadership role in July of 2010. At that time the church started a committed search for the next Senior Minister and Haydn Nelson was appointed to this position in November of 2010.

Under his leadership the church has continued to grow and has established two new independent churches from out of the two campuses: Northreach Community Church in the north and The Red Door Community Church in the south.

The ongoing generosity of Riverview’s attendees and partners has allowed the church to be highly involved in community action locally through Riverview Community Services, as well as Aid and Development internationally through Riverview Children’s Foundation, working with underprivileged children in Africa and South-East Asia. The church community has also supported the televised broadcast of its weekend services around Australia and the world.

The people of Riverview Church remain committed to their long-standing mission to “lead people to Christ and build them into a worshipping community’.

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TOP: Inner City Faith

Fellowship before it became ‘Rhema’ and moved to Burswood.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Rhema (Now

Riverview) at Burswood before original renovations.

MIDDLE LEFT: Congregation

of Rhema Church in its formative years.

FAR LEFT: Philip Baker

inspects a new pathway outside Riverview Church.

FAR RIGHT: Haydn Nelson

speaking onstage at Riverview in 2014.

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What we believe We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God. In them we discover God’s plan for humanity, culminating in the wonders of the cross, resurrection and the birth of the Church. The Bible is the authority for Christian faith and lifestyle.

We believe in one God, creator of all things, who is infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ was true God and true man, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary and died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is now at the right hand of the Father God as our High Priest and Advocate.

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We believe that all people were created in the image of God but fell into sin and are therefore far from God. It is only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit that salvation and spiritual life can be obtained.

The shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provides the grounds for justification and salvation.

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ. During this age He indwells, guides, instructs and empowers those who believe for godly living, effective service and compelling witness to the truth of the Gospel.

We believe that there is one true Church universal, comprised of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. That this body of believers gather themselves together for worship, prayer, teaching of the Word of God, fellowship, service, and the observance of Water Baptism and Communion. The local church, under the watch and care of leaders, must work in love and unity to fulfill its mission and glorify Christ.

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What we value WHAT MATTERS MOST TO US

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WE WANT GOD’S WORD TO GUIDE OUR WAY.

WE PROCLAIM JESUS AND PRACTISE JUSTICE.

WE BELONG TOGETHER AND ARE BETTER TOGETHER.

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WE BRING OUR BEST AND GIVE OUR FIRST TO GOD.

WE ALWAYS TAKE CARE AND STILL TAKE RISKS.

WE’RE INTO PROGRESS MORE THAN PERFECTION.

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Our environments At Riverview we often speak about our desire and intention to create engaging and transforming environments where people can connect with God and others. We have used the metaphor of “home environments” to explain the nature and purpose of our church environments. The environments are: 1. The “Foyer” Primary Purpose: Encounter This environment includes all our weekend services and special events. Its primary purpose is to provide people with a shared experience marked by an encounter with God and His loving presence.

2. The “Lounge” Primary Purpose: Growth This environment includes our Foundations Program, Riverview Women, Interest Groups, Cultural Communities and every other context where the primary purpose is growing together around a shared or common interest.

3. The “Kitchen” Primary Purpose: Belonging This environment is made up of a wide variety of small groups that provide people with the opportunity to share life together at a deeper level. These groups meet regularly in homes, cafés and parks and encourage people to ‘know and be known’ by other people.

The diagram highlights the interconnected nature of these environments as well as their primary purpose:

Eg: Services

Foyer

Purpose: Encounter

Shared Experiences

Eg: Small Groups Purpose: Belonging

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Kitchen

Lounge

Shared Lives

Shared Interests

Eg: Foundations Purpose: Growth

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Getting connected At Riverview Church we recognise and celebrate the fact that each individual’s spiritual journey is unique. Our desire is that no matter where you are on that journey that you continue to grow and develop in your relationship with God and the Church community. Our Connection Pathway outlines the different ways that an individual can find and enjoy community at Riverview Church: 1. TAKE A SEAT Our hope is that you would join us by attending one of our regular weekend services or special events. These weekend services and events are an opportunity for the people of Riverview Church to come together, worship God, receive great teaching, spend time with each other and invite friends to experience life in our faith community.

2. JOIN A GROUP The Riverview Community is made up of many kinds of people who meet regularly in a variety of small to medium sized group settings all around the Perth Metropolitan area. We have groups for people of all ages and stages of life.

Connect Groups Connect Groups are small groups that meet regularly (usually fortnightly) throughout the Perth Metropolitan Area in homes, cafés and parks. They gather to talk about life and faith, and how the two intersect.

Social Gatherings These are regular medium-sized social activities designed to provide people with a first step in meeting others at Riverview Church. They are usually age-based and offer a great way to meet people of similar heart and mind.

Interest Groups These Groups meet regularly around a common interest or activity such as photography, movies, snorkeling and more.

Cultural Communities Riverview Church is a vastly multicultural church. We have observed that the affinity that resonates between two or more people of the same cultural background provides great potential for establishing and building community.

Online & Social Media: Keep up to date with church events, news by connecting with us via our online community ‘Churchview’, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

3. PLAY A PART In addition to building the church, advancing the spread of the good news about Jesus and helping others, Volunteer Service also benefits those who are doing the serving.

Giving of one’s time, energy and talent is both rewarding and fulfilling and provides one with the opportunity to connect with other like-minded people. Volunteer Service is a great way to meet people, make friends and stay connected to church life.

Our hope is that an ever-increasing number of people would partner with us through Volunteer Service in fulfilling our mission to lead people to Christ and build them into a worshipping community. To find out more about Volunteer Service at Riverview register for the next Volunteer Service Orientation night by going online to the church website or by visiting the Connect Lounge at a weekend service.

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Care and Growth CARE AND PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE

PERSONAL GROWTH

At Riverview you can access spiritual and emotional care as well as practical assistance by contacting our Care Team who will endeavour to help you and/ or find the best help available. We have a team of staff and volunteers who can assist with:

Growing and developing in any area of our lives requires both relationship and knowledge. Our Discipleship Pathway, called Foundations, consists of 3 streams that provide an opportunity for learning about God and many other aspects of faith life in a supportive and highly relational environment.

• General Prayer including prayer for healing • Spiritual Direction/Formation • Hospital and Home Visits • Pre marriage and marriage coaching • Parenting coaching • Wedding Celebrants • Funeral Officiants • Practical Help and Crises Assistance • After Hours Emergency Pastoral Contact Pastoral Care Team: (Monday - Thursday: 9am - 5pm) P: +61 8 9416 0000.

Weekend Services: Pastors area available at the Prayer and Connect Lounges for 30 minutes after each service Riverview Community Services: P: +61 8 9416 0000 riverview.org.au After Hours Emergency Pastor: (Inc. Fridays) M: +61 4 14 639 862

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Foundations 1

This 6-week long course runs 4 times per year and offers those new to Riverview Church an insight into the essential elements of Riverview’s theology. It is also ideal for anyone who has recently become a Christian or is still exploring the essentials of the Christian Faith.

Foundations 2

This Course consists of eight 6-week long units taking the topics covered in Foundations 1 and spending significantly more time with them. Each unit offers a time of teaching and a time for small group reflection and discussion.

Foundations 3

This Course consists of sixteen 6-week long units that are rotated through 4 years.

The units include topics relating to church history, systematic theology as well as detailed explanations of various Biblical books.

Other Life Enrichment Courses designed to enhance your Marriage (Devoted), Parenting (Principled Parenting) and Personal Financial Management (CAP Money) also run regularly throughout the year. To view the complete Foundations e-prospectus or other course details or to register for a course, please go online to www.riverviewchurch.com or visit the Connect lounge during a weekend service.

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Giving: what we believe “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” – 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 In the Bible we see that God intends the church to be financed through willing offerings brought by his people. At Riverview, we encourage our church community to prayerfully and faithfully commit themselves to this practice.

Riverview people are encouraged to give first and foremost to Riverview Church.

We call this First Giving. First Giving (or priority giving) enables us to ensure that the church is in a healthy position financially and always able to meet its obligations, fund the expansion of the gospel and accommodate the demands of growth. We suggest that people make 10% of their income the goal for their First Giving as this has precedent in scripture both as a general principle and as a compulsory practice within the Old Testament Law. While we recognise that as New Testament Christians we are free from the obligations of the Old Testament Law we encourage people to adopt the practice of giving 10% as a freewill offering but allow them the freedom to decide on the level of their giving based on their individual circumstances.

In addition to this we also encourage those who call Riverview home to give to Riverview Trust. This we call Second Giving. Financial contributions to the Riverview Trust are used to support activities run by Riverview Community Services, Riverview Children’s Foundation and Riverview Media. These extension organisations expand our reach into the broader community and enable us to impact more people, in more places and in more ways. All giving to Riverview Trust is tax-deductible.

At Riverview we regularly teach that God has called us all to a life of generosity and that honouring Him with our money and material wealth as a matter of priority is fitting for the devoted follower of Christ.

We also recognise that our giving to those in need (orphans, widows and the poor) helps to free them from a lifetime of enslavement to circumstances beyond their control and provides them with opportunities to flourish in life.

How can I give?

There are a number of ways in which you can give: • Online at www.riverviewchurch.com • At all Weekend Services via Cash, Cheque or Credit Card • EFT (only available for First Giving) If you would like to give by making a deposit or periodical payment, our bank details are: Account Name: Riverview Church BSB: 066-163 Account Number: 10243724 We encourage electronic giving where possible, as this is the most convenient form of giving.

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Governance and financial reporting CHURCH LEADERSHIP

FINANCIAL REPORTING

The head of Riverview Church is Jesus Christ. As an organisation we seek to reflect His priorities in all that we do.

Consequently, no decision is ever made that would knowingly contradict any of His teachings in scripture. In addition, we endeavor to discern the direction and leading of Jesus for our church through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Riverview Church Inc. is a not-for-profit Incorporated Association under the leadership and oversight of a Board.

The Riverview Group encompasses Riverview Church Inc., Riverview Media Inc., Riverview Children’s Foundation Inc., Riverview Community Services Inc., and Regent College Inc. Before the beginning of a new financial year, a comprehensive Annual Plan that includes budgets, goals and strategies is tabled for the Board to review and approve. The Executive Team works with Ministry Area Leaders to compile plans and budgets that reflect the priorities of the Church. During the year the Executive Team monitors and reviews the progress of the church with the approved budget and ensures that all internal procedures are being followed.

THE RIVERVIEW BOARD

The Board is made up of Christian men and women who provide general governance of the church in accordance with the Riverview constitution. The Senior Minister and Executive Team report to the Board on a quarterly basis and provide the Board with vision, strategies and plans for leading the staff and congregation.

When evaluating a candidate as a new Board Member, all parties concerned consider a set of criteria outlined in the Church Constitution. A process is then initiated for appointment and induction of the new Board member that is outlined in detail in the Riverview constitution. Copies of the constitution are available from the church office.

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The Riverview Group is audited each year according to the Australian Auditing Standards. The Riverview Group complies with all Australian Accounting Standards and requirements of the Associations Incorporation Act 1987 (WA). The audited financial statements of the church are available on request.

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Frequent questions CAN ANYONE ATTEND RIVERVIEW CHURCH?

HOW DO I INDICATE MY DESIRE TO BE A PART OF RIVERVIEW?

Everyone is welcome to call Riverview home regardless of where they are in their journey of life and faith and no matter what they may think or believe about God. Anyone curious about exploring the Christian faith and experiencing life in the local church is most welcome and encouraged to fully engage in the life of our faith community.

If you would like to let us know that you now call Riverview your spiritual home and would like to receive regular communications from our Senior Minister, notifications of special events and access to Churchview, our online community, simply fill out the form on page 14 (or via our website) and hand it in at Information or The Connect Lounge at a weekend service.

DO I HAVE TO BE PERFECT OR HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER TO BE AT RIVERVIEW?

Not at all! We are all broken and fallible human beings in need of the ongoing help of God. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes. We do however actively encourage people to commit to the ongoing process of pursuing the knowledge of God and responding to what they discover about Him by submitting to Him as Lord and leader of every aspect of their lives.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I COME TO CHURCH AT RIVERVIEW?

We encourage people to attend services as often as possible, ideally one service each weekend. At the same time, we recognise that church is about more than what we do together on the weekend and we encourage people to explore all that the church community has to offer during the rest of the week.

HOW DO I ‘JOIN’ RIVERVIEW CHURCH?

Riverview does not have an official membership or partnership base. Those who call Riverview home ‘join’ the church by getting involved in the life of the church through regular weekend service attendance, volunteer service, giving financially toward our shared vision, participating in small group life and connecting online through Churchview.

CAN I VOLUNTEER AT RIVERVIEW?

Anyone who identifies as follower of Jesus and supports the vision, mission, beliefs and values of the church can apply to serve as a volunteer and representative of Riverview. See our volunteer service handbook (or web site) for more information and to apply.

CAN I BE PREVENTED FROM ATTENDING RIVERVIEW?

Sometimes a Riverview attendee begins to live in a way that is potentially harmful both to the people who attend and the church’s testimony in the world. In such circumstances the leadership of the church, after proper communication undertaken in a spirit of reconciliation, reserves the right to exclude someone from church meetings or activities.

WHAT ARE THE PRIVACY POLICIES REGARDING MY INFORMATION?

Riverview Church Inc. complies with the National Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). The church will collect general information about you, such as your name, address, and contact details so the church can contact you. We will not use your personal information for any other purpose without first seeking your consent, unless authorised or required by law.

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Riverview is my Church PERSONAL DETAILS First Name: Surname: Address: Suburb: Post code: Telephone (Home): (Business): Mobile: Email: Date of birth: *If Under 18 yrs of age: Parent / Guardian permission is required.

Please include me in church wide emails:

YES / NO

How long have you been attending Riverview Church?

SPOUSE/PARTNER DETAILS First Name: Surname: Address: Suburb: Post code: Telephone (Home): (Business): Mobile: Email: Date of birth: *If Under 18 yrs of age: Parent / Guardian permission is required.

Please include me in church wide emails:

YES / NO

How long have you been attending Riverview Church?

CHILD DETAILS First Name: Surname: Date of birth:

CHILD DETAILS First Name: Surname: Date of birth:

CHILD DETAILS First Name: Surname: Date of birth: *If Under 18 years of age: Parent / Guardian permission is required.

I give permission for to attend Riverview Church. (Signature):

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To lead people to Christ and ild them into a worshipping unity. To lead ople to Christ d build them a worshipping unity. To lead PO Box 524 Victoria Park WA 6979 +61 8 9416 0000

email@riverviewchurch.com

riverviewchurch.com

201509_RVWELCOME_DE

1 Thorogood Street Burswood WA 6100