Thursday Evening Bible Studies

We desire to provide plenty of opportunities to study and apply God’s Word – so additional to any teaching on a Sunday morning we encourage you to join us for bible study on a Thursday evening hosted at a members home.

Evangelism

It is our desire as a church to be obedient to our Lord’s commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and see people become disciples of Jesus Christ. We understand God has designed the means to accomplish this, His children faithfully explaining the gospel to others (Romans 10:14). Therefore we endeavour to see the members of RBC equipped and enabled to go out into the entire world telling others the true Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16).

Discipleship & Counselling

It is our commitment that the Word of God (the Bible) is fully sufficient and authoritative to address our deepest problems as people created in the image of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  As Christians we truly have, in Christ, all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  It is very normal to need the help of others as we seek to live a life more reflective of the glory of God. Therefore, our  pastor is committed to providing care for those who need help in specific areas and/or pairing them with others in the church family who can give them this help from God’s Word.

Ministry Training Internships

We believe the church carries the primary responsibility for training and equipping pastors and local church leaders. Bible Colleges and Seminaries are to serve the local church and are not primarily intended to prepare a man for pastoral ministry. Rather they are to supplement the work of the local church specifically in the area of academic rigour and specialised skill development. Colleges and Seminaries are ideally suited for the development of the technical skills (i.e. original language exegesis, hermeneutics , biblical theology, systematic theology, homiletics, etc.) needed for a life-long study of God’s Word enabling the student to mine the depths of Scripture, first applying its truths to his/her own life and then passing those truths on to others. It is the local church’s responsibility to disciple, mentor, and oversee the development of character and servant-leadership. This is not separate from academic training; rather it is an essential foundation to one’s qualification for pastoral ministry. One is not ready or qualified for pastoral ministry or any level of local church leadership just because they have completed an academic program (1 Timothy 3). We believe someone who desires to serve (i.e. has an “internal call” according to 1 Tim. 3:1) in pastoral ministry or any level of local church leadership ought to be affirmed by his/her local church (i.e. an external confirmation of their “internal call” otherwise known as a “call to ministry”). Ideally this affirmation would occur before one begins formal academic training by entering a Bible College or Seminary. To this end we desire to provide a Ministry Training Internship as a vital part of the ministry of Rolleston Baptist Church.

Local & Global Missions

As we look within the pages of Scripture we see God’s passion for His children. He initiated reconciliation with Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3) and throughout Scripture He continually seeks out His own, drawing them to Himself, and ultimately reconciling them all through the death of His Son. God’s love for and passion for the lost is triumphantly displayed on the cross of Calvary when His, one and only beloved Son, gave His life as a ransom for many. God desires and has designed his plan of redemption around the spread and proclamation of this Gospel message (Colossians 1:3-8). We desire, as a church, to train, send, and support missionaries who are committed to the same principles and priorities you will find at RBC. We long to see Gospel-centred churches all over New Zealand and the world.