Why "Small Church"?

When Christ's Apostles helped establish New Testament churches, congregations were small enough to meet in homes.   Within the first few hundred years of church history, evidence for a "mega-church-sized" local congregation cannot be found.   Today, congregations numbering in the hundreds seems to be the norm (Or at least the goal of leadership!).   RBC believes smaller churches maintain genuine relationships and accountability amongst the brethren.   Our goal is to see other smaller-sized churches planted that will also prove to be faithful to the Word.   

What has been the result of massive congregations & multi-million dollar properties and church buildings?   Have the large church gatherings seen an increased love amongst the brethren?   Is there greater intimacy between Elders and the families they oversee?   Has the regular practice of hospitality by church leaders increased, or has it virtually disappeared?   How can a handful of leaders know the flock if they oversee hundreds of members?       

We believe the small church model reflects Biblical precedence & early church practice.   Given the commands church members and leaders are obligated to obey within the context of the local church (e.g., The "one-anothers"), it is likely early churches were smaller in size by Divine design!

It's in a smaller-sized gathering that Christians are more likely to build trust & move beyond surface-level forms of brotherly love.  When the fellowship is small enough for all members to be known, obeying the "one-another" commands actually becomes realistic!   Big churches, by default, are not designed to foster intimate fellowship & accountability within the flock.

We love our brethren that gather in large churches (We were once there with them!)   Yet, our conviction is that large churches create a "business environment" rather than a Biblical family environment.   We recommend this video for your edification.    

Philosophy of Leadership

Most qualifications for the office of Elder have to do with a man's godly character.  This cannot be evaluated solely through his sermons - his life must be observable by church members.  Therefore, an Elder must have sincere relationships with the families he oversees so they can truly trust that he is qualified to lead.  Members must be able to observe his home and family life.   Elders must be accessible so that their character is known and demonstrated.   An Elder proves to be a teacher - not just a preacher - as he patiently answers challenges and difficult questions from the flock.  These things can be accomplished through an Elder's regular practice of hospitality with church members. 

       (1 Tim 3, Titus 1, Acts 20)           

Elders must lead, and in some sense "rule" the congregation.  Yet, the Bible commands Elders to not "lord-over" the flock & instead be an example through their teaching, humility and service. 

At RBC, major decisions affecting the church are first discussed with the flock prior to the Elders making the final call.  Members will be taught the views of the Elders, and leaders demonstrate humility by allowing members to voice their concerns & ask challenging questions.  The goal in this process of decision-making is to strive for a consensus of agreement amongst the brethren - genuine church unity!  Unfortunately, in most conservative churches, leaders make major decisions behind closed doors - showing little regard for the discernment and wisdom that can be found within the flock - this is a common example of congregations being "Lorded-over"!   We recommend this video on leadership style

(1Peter 5:3, Luke 22:24-27, 1 Cor. 12:23, Rom. 12:16, 1 Peter 4:9, James 2:1-9)

 Edifying Church Meetings 

At RBC, members shall be known, loved & held accountable by all.   Each of the brethren are to be in service to Christ through the exercising of their God-given gifts.  On the Lord's Day, the teaching and worship time lasts about two hours, followed by a meal (Including the Lord's Supper - we recommend you watch this video!).  After the meal, the women will gather together for prayer, and the men do the same.  Many brethren stay and fellowship for several hours.  Sundays are truly a sweet time to be a part of the family of God!

In addition to the Lord's Day meeting, we gather on Wednesday evenings for a meal, topical teachings, Q&A, hymn singing and prayer.
     (Eph. 4:11-16, 1 Cor. 12:12-26, 1 Peter 4:9, Matthew 18:15-18)

Worship

Worship music teaches doctrine. Therefore, we are committed to only singing hymns and songs with lyrics that are faithful to Scripture.

(Eph. 5:19) 

Expositional Preaching

Reformation Bible Church teachers are committed to preaching expository, verse-by-verse sermons each Lord's Day. 

(1 Tim 5:17)

Children

Our church is family-integrated. Namely, the children are present in the whole-church gathering to observe the sober-minded worship of adults.  While children benefit from the leadership and teaching of mature brethren within the flock, they are responsible to answer only to their parents - not the church.  Parents - particularly the father - should disciple & discipline the children as understood according to Scripture.

(Deut 11:19, Eph 6:1-3) 

Sundays

RBC is not a mere Bible study, it is a formal church. Therefore, we gather on Sunday mornings & follow an orderly worship service.  An example of our Oder of Worship can be found at the bottom of our homepage. 

(Hebrews 10:25)

Discipleship

We strive to build deep Biblical relationships within the church. Elders and  mature men are intentional in training younger believers in sound doctrine, theology, and Christ-like living.   Mature women are expected to disciple younger women in the areas commanded in Titus 2:3-5.   

Evangelism

Our church is committed to the Great Commission.  Each member should strive to take advantage of evangelism opportunities throughout their week.  In addition, some members conduct various outreach efforts and street evangelism on a regular basis. 
(Matthew 28:19) 

 
Membership

In a time when church loyalty is rare and superficial love dominates, we believe Christians should formally devote themselves to a local church submitting to leaders & the congregation as they follow Christ.  RBC members are called to participate in the lives of all those in the assembly and agree to make every effort - as much as it depends upon them - to live at peace and be reconciled with one another.  It is within the local church that a committed church member is to regularly exercise their Spiritual gifts, practice the "one-anothers", and be under accountability. 

(Eph. 5:21, Heb. 13:17, 1 Peter 5:3, Matt. 18:17, 1Cor. 6:2, 5, Rom. 12:18, Matt. 5:23-24)

Church Planting

We pray that God would be pleased to see many small faithful churches planted in the Valley.  A small church structure promotes greater local connection, diversity, capability, and also increased accountability between small churches where the focus remains on the edification & equipping of the saints for the work of ministry.  At RBC we have no infatuation over church attendance numbers and the creation & expansion of various "church programs".  We seek, by His Grace, to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples, baptizing & teaching them to obey all that the Lord has commanded. 

(Acts 2:47, Rom. 16:5, Eph. 4:11-16, Matthew 28:18-20 )

Giving

Since RBC's establishment in 2022, we have not "passed a plate" or taken up a "collection".   If the Lord reveals a genuine need, we pray that our members would be faithful to try to meet that need according to each one's willingness and ability.   Churches that are run like corporations have staff workers to pay, and large property / building expenses to meet - RBC has no desire to follow in that direction.   

Perhaps it will please the Lord to see RBC not only grow in faithfulness, but also in number, and a handful of bi-vocational leaders will be necessary to faithfully oversee and serve our congregation.  At that point, giving from church members will be used to support their ministerial work & provide for the needs of the church as necessary.   

(2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Timothy 5:18)