| Structure
River of Life is organized according
to the biblical pattern of the five-fold
ascension gifts (Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher,
Evangelist) Elders and Deacons as well as Department
Leaders and Team Leaders.
An Apostle is needed to Govern. He is one set forth
with authority, who faithfully represents the purposes
and intentions of God. An apostle will be involved in
founding and establishing churches on a proper foundation.
A Prophet is needed to Guide. He is one who speaks forth
directly what he hears from God. These messages may
bring revelation, exhortation, give warning, or include
prediction. A prophet’s ministry will also impart
vision.
A Pastor is needed to Guard. He is one who feeds, tends
to, keeps, and protects those who God has placed in
his or her care.
A Teacher is needed to Ground. He is one who gives himself
to the study and exposition of the Word of God to instill
in the people of God a love and respect for the Word,
and to bring them to a place of maturity in the faith.
An Evangelist is needed to Gather. He is one who has
the ability to readily share the gospel in any situation
and equips the Body to evangelize. One who has the gift
of an evangelist has the special ability to share the
gospel in such an effective way that people readily
come to know Christ.
We should not categorize and box people into one ministry
gift. People may function in different ministry gifts
at different times or even during the same period. The
ministry gifts were not given for the purpose of categorizing
people, but rather for demonstrating and conveying the
full headship of Christ. By studying the functions of
the ministry gifts, we can gain a clearer understanding
of His fullness. Although the pronoun “he”
is used in this teaching, we believe there is neither
male nor female in the body of Christ and therefore
we promote women in ministry and leadership positions.
“But to each one of us grace has been given as
Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When
he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and
gave gifts to men…” It was he who gave some
to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s
people for works of service, so that the body of Christ
may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith
and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…
From him the whole body, joined and held together by
every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up
in love, as each part does its work.” Eph.
4:7-8, 11-13, 16
An Elder is one who is responsible for spiritual oversight
and care of the local assembly. Elders are chosen by
God and ordained by Pastoral leadership. The qualifications
for elders (I
Tim. 3:1-7) are also foundational qualifications
which all persons in the five-fold ministry must meet.
“Paul & Barnabas appointed elders for them
in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed
them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
Acts
14:23
A Deacon is a servant who is set in charge of and attends
to Church business. Deacons are set in office by the
leadership as needed. This is not a permanent position,
rather, a deacon remains in office as long as needed.
Deacons may also be removed from office if they no longer
meet biblical qualifications (I
Tim. 3:8-13).
“In
those days when the number of disciples was increasing,
the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic
Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the
daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all
the disciples together and said, “It would not
be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word
of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose
seven men from among you who are known to be full of
the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility
over to them and will give our attention to prayer and
the ministry of the Word. This proposal pleased the
whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith
and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioach, a convert
to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles,
who prayed and laid their hands on them.” Acts
6:1-6
Ministers
At the discretion of the Senior Pastors and counsel
of ordained leadership candidates may apply for a minister’s
license. The applicant should:
1. Be a member in good standing of River of Life Community
Church
2. Complete all training that may from time to time
be required by the Pastor with the advice of leadership
team
3. Complete all practicum’s that may from time
to time be established by the Pastor
4. Fully agree with and subscribe to our Tenets of Faith
and Doctrine
5. Obtain the approval of the Senior Pastors and leadership
team after an oral examination
6. Pass a background examination as may be deemed necessary
7. Meet such other requirements as may from time to
time be established by the Senior Pastors
Ordination
River of Life may ordain ministers at the discretion
of the Senior Pastors with the advice of ordained leadership.
A candidate for ordination must:
1. Meet the requirements for licensing set for by River
of Life
2. Exhibit a confirmed and demonstrated calling of God
to an ascension gift ministry of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist,
Pastor, or Teacher
3. Meet such other requirements as may from time to
time be established by the Senior Pastors with the advice
of ordained leaders.
Limits
The Pastor may limit any license or ordained minister
to an area of special emphasis such as music, youth,
education or outreach.
Annual
Review and Revocation
The licenses and/or ordination of ministers with River
of Life shall be subject to review annually by the Pastoral
Team. Any minister’s license or ordination shall
be automatically renewed unless revoked at the discretion
of the Pastoral Team. The license and/or ordination
of any minister licensed or ordained by River of Life
may be revoked at any time at the discretion of the
Pastoral Team on the grounds that would justify the
application of church discipline to a member of River
of Life. The revocation of the license or ordination
of a minister previously licensed by River of Life may
be communicated to the church, associated and affiliated
churches and organizations and the public at large if
the minister whose license or ordination has been revoked
allows or promotes the idea that he continues to be
licensed or ordained by the church after revocation.
Application
Application for ordination and/or licensing as a minister
of the Gospel shall be on the form provided by the Pastor.
Once submitted, an application shall be either approved
or denied within thirty days of the completion of the
investigation of the applicant. Once approved, ministers
will receive a letter of approval with a date for their
public ordination and a certificate of ordination will
be issued.
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