Why should I attend RCF and what distinguishes you from other churches in southeast Virginia “the 757″?
- You should attend Reformation Christian Fellowship if you are interested in learning the whole truth of God’s Word, the Bible, using sound, well-established rules for interpretation.
2. You should attend if you want to learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit from the reformed, Calvinistic perspective. This includes:
* The truth and the supremacy of the infallibility of Scripture over all traditions.
* The five Solas of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), “Sola Gratia” (Grace Alone), “Sola Fide” (Faith Alone), “Solus Christus” (Christ Alone), and “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone Be Glory)
* The doctrines of grace – the five points of Calvinism explaining salvation of man through Jesus Christ
* The sovereignty of God over all things, including our suffering
3. You should attend if a multi-generational approach to discipleship and ministry appeals to you.
4. Lastly, you should attend if you find a simple church model of limited programs refreshing and freeing, where discipleship, ministry, fellowship and evangelism flow as an expression of love for our triune God.
These are what distinguish us from most churches in the 757. If you’re dissatisfied with Bible teaching that lacks depth and accuracy, or focuses on application more than doctrinal truth, you may be ready for RCF. If you’re disappointed and perhaps even exhausted by all of the age-segregated church programs, and disheartened by the departure of all of your young people after they graduate from youth group, you may be ready for RCF. If you’re burned out by too many programs and commitments, you may be ready for RCF. Please accept our warm, heartfelt invitation to visit.
Why does Reformation Christian Fellowship focus primarily on God’s Word?
We believe the Word of God is God’s tool for making disciples. It is powerful and effective and is able to equip God’s people for every good work (Hebrews 4:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
How are Sunday Services typically conducted?
Our Sunday mornings begin at 8:45am with RCF Academy, RCF Academy Junior (ages 8-12), RCF Academy Micros (ages 4-7), and RCF Academy Toddlers (2-3). RCF Academy is comprised of courses that allow for a deeper knowledge of the Word of God and focuses on topics that may not have time to be adequately addressed during a typical sermon. For adults, this is surveys of the Old and New Testament, Covenant Theology, Theology Proper, Evangelism, and other courses. For the Juniors, we teach an age-appropriate Old Testament survey using curriculum from Great Commission Publications. For the Micros and Toddlers, we teach using curriculum from Great Commission Publications. All of the Academy sessions last between 30 and 45 minutes. RCF Academy meets in the Fellowship Hall.
At 9:45am we engage in corporate prayer using the ACTS model — Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is held in the fellowship hall.
The worship service begins at 10:30 am with a greeting and prayer from one of the elders. The worship leader then leads an opening song. Afterwards one of the elders reads the sermon Scripture Passage and usually the pastor delivers the sermon. From time to time one of the elders or one of the pastors in training delivers the sermon. After the sermon, the congregation is encouraged to respond in prayer. Next, the worship leader leads the congregation in songs that are related to the sermon. Once the singing is finished, one of the elders gives announcements and a final benediction. Services typically end between 11:30 and Noon, so about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Most people stay and talk for another 20 to 30 minutes, we like to be together!
At 9:45am we engage in corporate prayer using the ACTS model — Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. This lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is held in the fellowship hall.
The worship service begins at 10:30 am with a greeting and prayer from one of the elders. The worship leader then leads an opening song. Afterwards one of the elders reads the sermon Scripture Passage and usually the pastor delivers the sermon. From time to time one of the elders or one of the pastors in training delivers the sermon. After the sermon, the congregation is encouraged to respond in prayer. Next, the worship leader leads the congregation in songs that are related to the sermon. Once the singing is finished, one of the elders gives announcements and a final benediction. Services typically end between 11:30 and Noon, so about 1 to 1 ½ hours. Most people stay and talk for another 20 to 30 minutes, we like to be together!
What types of Songs do you sing at RCF?
At RCF we strive to sing hymns and contemporary songs that accurately confess the truths of God’s character and what He has done. This is done through a progressive acoustic/folk style band as a middle ground between different generations within the congregation.
What church programs do you have?
We offer the essentials for a healthy church:
By not pursuing and being bogged down with numerous programs, our church family members have time to meet informally with each other for discipleship, mentoring and fellowship, and have time to share the good news of Jesus Christ in their community. We also try to incorporate all ages in most, but not all, activities we do. This is an expression of our multi-generational philosophy of teaching and ministry. Our hope is that our young people will feel as much a part of the church as our older members, to stay and grow.
- Sunday morning worship that begins with RCF Academy courses for adults and children, followed by corporate prayer, then a worship service featuring sermons that focus on verse by verse teaching from the Bible, and a nursery during the service for children four and under.
- Weekly small group Bible studies.
- Encouragement to attend theologically orthodox and gospel-focused conferences once every 1 – 2 years.
- Annual church family meeting, picnic and Christmas party for church-wide fellowship.
By not pursuing and being bogged down with numerous programs, our church family members have time to meet informally with each other for discipleship, mentoring and fellowship, and have time to share the good news of Jesus Christ in their community. We also try to incorporate all ages in most, but not all, activities we do. This is an expression of our multi-generational philosophy of teaching and ministry. Our hope is that our young people will feel as much a part of the church as our older members, to stay and grow.
What do people typically wear to RCF?
For Men that attend RCF attire has included long or short-sleeved collared shirts, polos, t-shirts, jeans, slacks, or shorts.
For Women that attend RCF attire has included dresses at appropriate length, blouses, long or short sleeve shirts, t-shirts, jeans, and modest length shorts.
While the attire may seem a little relaxed from other churches, men and women are free to dress more formally. However, at the other end of the spectrum, we encourage modesty for both men and women.
For Women that attend RCF attire has included dresses at appropriate length, blouses, long or short sleeve shirts, t-shirts, jeans, and modest length shorts.
While the attire may seem a little relaxed from other churches, men and women are free to dress more formally. However, at the other end of the spectrum, we encourage modesty for both men and women.
Why does Reformation Christian Fellowship have a discipleship process?
At RCF we believe our purpose is to make known the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why we believe it is important to build up and disciple the saved.
What does this discipleship process look like?
We employ the following Word-centric, four step process:
- Declare the Word
- Discuss/Delve the Word
- Do the Word
- Deliver the Word
All of that sounds great but what exactly does it mean?
Declare the Word.
This happens during our Sunday morning expositional preaching and Corporate Prayer. This is exactly why Paul gave Timothy this charge, which still applies to us today.
2 Timothy 4:2 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom: preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Discuss/Delve the Word
Bible Study Life Groups and classes through the RCF Academy. This is where the body has an opportunity to discuss the truth of God’s Word together, ask questions regarding meaning and personal application, pray for and fellowship with each other. This is also where the life group leader will understand the gifting and passion of each in their group, as well as their faithfulness in attending and participating, and will recommend a ministry for them to serve.
Although optional, and meant to reveal and prepare future teaching leaders and counselors the RCF Academy is designed for everyone. This is a replacement for topical study small groups. Through RCF Academy we will conduct classes that will prepare future leaders for teaching and/or counseling. After a period of time, the academy instructor will assess the gifting and passion for teaching and/or counseling for each in the group, as well as their faithfulness in attending and participating. They will recommend they lead a Bible Study Life Group or support the pastor in counseling.
Do the Word
After sitting under the Word declared and discussing the Word together, our people go Do the Word. Here they serve the church body by loving and caring for one another, participating or leading in a particular ministries endorse by the elders (as described in Discussing delving the Word), lead their families in family worship, catechize their children, and of course walk in holiness before the Lord.
Deliver the Word
Our people, faithful in attending Sunday worship and corporate prayer (Declare), Bible Study Life Groups (Discuss), and serving the church body (Do), are invited to attend the evangelism class to learn more about how to share the gospel with neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc. and care for the needy in their community, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and dying world. The class includes role playing and field work to practice the skills learned in the classroom.
This happens during our Sunday morning expositional preaching and Corporate Prayer. This is exactly why Paul gave Timothy this charge, which still applies to us today.
2 Timothy 4:2 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom: preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Discuss/Delve the Word
Bible Study Life Groups and classes through the RCF Academy. This is where the body has an opportunity to discuss the truth of God’s Word together, ask questions regarding meaning and personal application, pray for and fellowship with each other. This is also where the life group leader will understand the gifting and passion of each in their group, as well as their faithfulness in attending and participating, and will recommend a ministry for them to serve.
Although optional, and meant to reveal and prepare future teaching leaders and counselors the RCF Academy is designed for everyone. This is a replacement for topical study small groups. Through RCF Academy we will conduct classes that will prepare future leaders for teaching and/or counseling. After a period of time, the academy instructor will assess the gifting and passion for teaching and/or counseling for each in the group, as well as their faithfulness in attending and participating. They will recommend they lead a Bible Study Life Group or support the pastor in counseling.
Do the Word
After sitting under the Word declared and discussing the Word together, our people go Do the Word. Here they serve the church body by loving and caring for one another, participating or leading in a particular ministries endorse by the elders (as described in Discussing delving the Word), lead their families in family worship, catechize their children, and of course walk in holiness before the Lord.
Deliver the Word
Our people, faithful in attending Sunday worship and corporate prayer (Declare), Bible Study Life Groups (Discuss), and serving the church body (Do), are invited to attend the evangelism class to learn more about how to share the gospel with neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc. and care for the needy in their community, becoming the hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and dying world. The class includes role playing and field work to practice the skills learned in the classroom.
Now that you have explained the Discipleship Process, How does it start?
Newcomers find out about RCF primarily by members sharing the gospel (see Deliver the Word) in their community and invite them to attend Sunday morning worship and corporate prayer with them. Newcomers, after a period of time, are invited to attend the 411 class offered Sunday morning before corporate prayer to learn more about RCF and what membership means. Faithful attendees will have the opportunity to confess and demonstrate their faith and walk in Jesus and decide to sign a membership covenant. For those that complete this step, the 411 instructor encourages them to then join one of the many Bible Study Life Groups, showing them where to get information on their meeting days, times and locations.