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FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Riverview:
What do you believe? Does Riv have any crazy, off-the-wall beliefs?
You can view our Statement of Faith here. You will find we are a non-denominational church that values the Word of God as our standard for living.
What kind of church is this?
We are very casual in our attire, services, and worship, but conservative in doctrine as a non-denominational church. We serve gourmet coffee and welcome you to take it into the auditorium. We want to be a church where anyone and everyone really does feel comfortable checking out God stuff. If you are searching spiritually, we're the place to hang out and learn about Jesus.
Is Riverview affiliated with any group of churches?
Riverview was started by a group of churches who have since birthed several other groups of churches. We continue to stay involved with them through one of those groups, GCM. We also work with Acts 29 for church planting efforts.
What is a service like?
Our services move quickly and and have various styles of music (click here to listen to live recordings from some of our bands) and interactive teachings laced with video and action. We do not want to be boring. Teachings are application-oriented, so you can usually do something with the information on Monday. Click here to listen to or watch recent messages.
What should I wear to church?
Jeans and a T-shirt (maybe this one?) are fine with us . . . or a suit or a dress (but preferably not both). And feel free to leave the piercings in and show off your tattoos. We are definitely casual. We just ask that you wear something. We're not all that concerned about outside appearances.
How do I become a member?
We offer the Membership Class several times each year. The class covers what it means to be a member at Riverview, what we believe, how to get more involved, and our vision. Each class is two hours long and lunch is provided. Email Info@RivChurch.com to see when the next class will be held, or check out the RivU page to see if there's one coming up soon.
What's with the coffee?
We just know people like freshly ground gourmet coffee, and we want folks to feel comfortable. Somehow it's just easier to have a conversation with someone new when you have a cup of coffee in hand. On the average weekend we go through ten gallons of half and half, sixteen pounds of sugar, and almost two hundred carafes of coffee!
What is there for my kids?
First, we have RivKids, an extensive program for younger kids (infants through sixth graders), during all weekend services at the Holt Venue. Then there's Chaos for middle schoolers. And for high schoolers, there's The Element, both of which meet weekly for Life Group time and interaction as a larger group.
How do I get married at Riverview Church?
Anyone can get married, but we're more interested in it being a great marriage. To encourage that result, we offer a day-long Pre-Marriage Seminar called “Before You Say I Do”, which covers finances, communication, intimacy, etc. If you are a member and would like to find out more about weddings, just contact the Riv office for a wedding packet. You can either call our office at 517-694-3400 or email Weddings@RivChurch.com
What does Riv believe about Baptism?
Baptism, like a wedding ceremony, is an outward demonstration of our inward love and symbolizes our death to the old life (going under water) and resurrection to a new one (rising up out of it). (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Colossians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4). You can read more about baptism here.
Riverview has baptisms during our weekend services several times each year. For more info and for the next scheduled baptism date, email Tony.Pyle@RivChurch.com.
Why are there so many pastors at Riverview? Who's the senior pastor?
We operate under the “plurality” of leaders principle found in the New Testament. Instead of a senior pastor, we have a team of pastors with shared authority. This not only makes for a strong leadership team for increased wisdom, decision making, burden sharing, and leadership, but offers accountability and protection from pride, sin, etc.
How do I become a pastor (elder) with Riverview Church?
The local church, as described in the New Testament, was always led by a team of elders (also known as pastors, overseers, or shepherds). Riverview functions in the same way, with a team of pastors who work together to lead the church. New church plants from Riverview are either led by a team of elders or are assigned elders from Riverview until such time that local elders can be recognized.
Men who are interested in serving as a pastor at Riv or leading a church plant from Riv are encouraged to download and read the following documents that describe the process they must go through. Please direct any questions you have to the pastor you work most closely with.
Click here to download the Church Planter Evaluation Process.
Click here to download the Elder Evaluation Process.
What is Riverview's position on financial giving?
Few areas are as misunderstood in Christianity as the area of giving. The idea that a believer in Jesus Christ is obligated to tithe (give 10% of their income to their local church to support the work of God) is widespread among the body of Christ.
Some churches require members to submit to the leadership their income records to ensure that they are indeed giving 10%. Other churches teach that anyone who does not tithe is robbing God and is therefore under a curse.
At Riverview, we do not believe the Bible teaches the tithe is incumbent upon New Testament believers. However, it does teach that Christians are to be generous, sacrificial, expectant and cheerful givers! We often stress that giving is something that is between an individual Christian and God. If you are visiting Riverview, you will not be expected to give. In fact, we hope that you will sit back and take it all in without feeling any pressure to “drop something in the bucket.”
How can I get involved at Riverview?
At Riverview there are all kinds of ways to get involved. Most of our areas of ministry falls into one of these areas:
Do llamas go to heaven?
Umm . . . no. But here's how you can:
There's much confusion today in our culture regarding what a Christian is and how a person becomes one. Some believe that being a Christian means being born into a particular church or denomination and being baptized as a baby into that religion. Others would say that being a Christian means that you have to believe in God, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, attend a church and try to do your best in living an upright life.
With all the confusion out there, it's important that we look to the Bible for answers. God has provided for us a definitive and authoritative answer in His Word that allows us to navigate through all the confusion that we may encounter. To understand what Jesus Himself has taught regarding how to become a follower of His, we need to see what the New Testament teaches.
When we study the New Testament, we see that a person becomes a Christian by recognizing three things. First, a person needs to recognize that they are separated from God because of sin and under His judgment. We have a natural inclination to rebel against God and be hostile to Him. (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 1:21) We are corrupt in such a way that it's impossible for us to know God, love Him, or obey Him the way we ought to. (Romans 8:5-7) Sin has infested every area of our lives,and we sin against God because we are by nature sinners. (Romans 3:9-20) Since the very core of who we are is corrupt, it is impossible for us to change our condition.
The sad result is that we are completely separated from God. Sin has completely destroyed man's relationship with a holy, just and righteous God. (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13; Isaiah 59:2) And because God is holy and just, He must righteously judge those who sin against Him. (Romans 1:18; Nahum 1:1-6) The just punishment for our sin is to experience eternal separation from God in a place the Bible calls Hell. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 20:11-15)
Second, a person needs to recognize that God has offered a provision for mankind that would heal that separation and protect us from His judgment. God, while being holy and just, also equally loves mankind and desires us not to experience His judgment but to be rescued from it. (John 3:16) To accomplish this, God provided an escape from His judgment by becoming a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3) As God, Jesus lived a completely sinless life and took upon Himself the penalty that our sin deserves. (2 Corinthians 5:21) He was willing to be judged on the cross in our place so that we could stand before God as innocent, our sins completely paid for and removed. (Colossians 2:13-14) Because Jesus died on the cross on our behalf, God is able to freely offer us His gift of forgiveness. (Ephesians 2:13; 1 Peter 3:18)
Third, a person needs to recognize that they need to receive God's free gift by responding in faith to what Christ has done for them. It's not enough to simply know, or even agree with these truths. True faith demands the action of humbly receiving what Christ has done for us by asking Him to save us. In doing so, we let go of trusting in ourselves to get to Heaven based upon our own achievements, and change to trusting in Christ alone based on what He has done for us.
A Christian is a person who has been freed from the enormous debt owed to God by accepting His free gift of forgiveness which is in Jesus Christ. When we trust in Christ, God changes us from the inside out, giving us the desire and the ability to follow Him. He gives us the Holy Spirit to lead us and teach us. And He introduces us to a new life that is everlasting.
