1. RSN is committed to knowing God, His character and His ways. We affirm the vital importance of hearing God's voice, seeking His counsel and obeying His instructions. (Numbers 23:19-20;

Deuteronomy 32:3-4; John 5:30; 10:1-4; 16:13-14; Isaiah 6:8; Acts 16:6-10; 2 Timothy 2:14-15, 23-25)

2. RSN is called to make God known through evangelism, discipling, training and church planting. (Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15,20; Acts 1:8; 13:2-3; Romans 10:9-18; 15:18-21; Luke 10:5-9; Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5)

3. RSN seeks to promote unity among all of God's people. We endeavor to work in partnership with other believers, and to build working relationships among Christian leaders, churches and missions for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. (John 17:20-23; Philippians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10;

Ephesians 4:1-6; Philemon 4-7)

4. RSN is called to praise and worship, intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare. We endeavor to resist the devil by moving in the opposite spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ. In all things, we desire to keep Jesus central to our lives and ministry. (Ephesians 5:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalm 32:6; 100; 150; John 17:15-21; Mark 11:24; Acts 1:14; Colossians 4:2-3; Ezekiel 22:29-30; 1 Timothy 2:1; Ephesians 6:10-18;

2 Corinthians 10:3-5; James 4:7; Matthew 12:23-30)

5. RSN affirms the importance of living holy and righteous lives. We believe that holiness is a fruit of God's grace, transforming the motives of the heart, and affecting our words, conduct, business dealings and relationships. (1 Samuel 15:10-28; Psalm 32:1-5, 51:3-17; Matthew 5:3-10; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 12:12-15) 

6. RSN is dedicated to being relationship oriented as we work together. We desire to minimize the need for structures and rules by leading lives of transparency, humility and open communication.

(Galatians 5:1; 6:1-2; James 5:16; 1 John 1:7)

7. RSN believes in the importance of empowering leadership. Empowering leaders are not self important or striving for position, but they are servant leaders that equip and release others to excel in their own gifts, without fear of being over-shadowed themselves. (Matthew 11:29; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 22:25-27; Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 2:2-5)

8. RSN recognizes the advantages of maintaining in simplicity, the basic ingredients of a healthy church as recorded in the New Testament. (Acts 2:42, 46-47; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Hebrews 10:24-25)

9. RSN recognizes the vital importance of every local church. A local church is a committed body of believers, dedicated to the long-term discipling of people from infants to the elderly, teaching the whole counsel of God’s word so that the church becomes a visible expression of the Kingdom of God at work in their community. We believe that every local church also has a role in reaching their region and the world. As customs and traditions vary, we will do our part to help each local church realize the full potential of their unique calling and gifting. (Matthew 5:14-16; 6:10; Luke 2:52; John 17:20-23; Acts 1:8;

Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; Ephesians 3:8-10; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:2-5)

10. RSN is committed to seeing a local gathering of believers within reach of every person. We believe that limited population or the remote location of a community, should never prevent the planting of a viable church. (Ezekiel 34:4-6; Matthew 18:12-14; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; Colossians 4:15;

Hebrews 10:24-25)

11. RSN is committed to each local church “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3) with other Christian churches in their region. They do this by actively pursuing ways to encourage and strengthen other churches, and by being willing to receive from their strengths as well. (John 17:20-23; Romans 12:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14-21; Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16; Philippians 2:1-5; Colossians 3:12-17)

12. RSN is committed to balanced discipling that activates the mind, heart and hands of every believer. These basic commands of Jesus Christ are an important part of establishing a believer in their walk with God.  

Repent & Believe: (Mark 1:15)  

Be Baptized: (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-11)  

Love God & Neighbor in Practical Ways: (Matthew 22:37-40)  

Celebrate the Lord’s Supper: (Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)  

Pray: (Matthew 6:5-15) Give: (Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 6:38)  

Disciple Others: (Matthew 28:18-20)

13. RSN is committed to being, then doing, then teaching, according to Jesus' example. We affirm the importance of living a concept, theory or belief in personal experience as essential to passing it on to others. We believe that godly character and the fruit of the Spirit are more important than an individual's gifts, abilities and expertise. (Ezra 7:10; Micah 6:8; Acts 1:1; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-17;

2 Peter 1:5-10) 

14. RSN is called to value each individual. We believe individuals of all races, ages, cultures - male and female - have distinctive contributions and callings. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 139:13-16; Galatians 3:28;

1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Acts 13:1-3; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:4-7)

15. RSN recognizes the importance of providing ministry education and “On the job” training in a person’s natural environment. Rural leaders are often best served with training and education provided in a way that does not remove them from their homes and employment. (Acts 15:30-33; Ephesians 4:11-12; Colossians 4:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:15) 

16. RSN recognizes the value of the family. We affirm the importance of families serving God together in the church, not just the father and/or mother. Each family member contributes their gifts in unique and complimentary ways. We support the necessity for each individual family to be a strong and healthy unit. (Deuteronomy 4:9-10,40; 6:6-7; 32:46; Proverbs 31; 1 Timothy 3:4-5) 

17. RSN is called to team ministry. We recognize that functioning as a team provides an opportunity for balance of spiritual gifts and insights. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 15:22; Matthew 18:19-20; Mark 6:7; Acts 15:6, 12-13,22; Ephesians 4:11; 5:21)

18. RSN makes no distinction between “clergy and laity” or “sacred and secular”. Every member in the body has a necessary role. We seek to honor all functions equally within the Kingdom of God. No roles or ministries are more important or spiritual than others. (Zechariah 14:20-21; Acts 11:9; Romans 12:3-8; 13:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Colossians 4:14; Titus 3:13; Philemon 1-2; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 4:10-11)

19. RSN believes that all church leaders (for their own health and well being) should be in relationship with leadership outside their local congregation. These leaders should be those that they trust, and to whom they can make themselves accountable. (Proverbs 11:14; Acts 11:1-18; 14:21-27; 15:1-23;

Ephesians 4:11-16; James 5:14-16)  

20. RSN is called to practice generosity and to model and teach generosity in all we do. 

(Psalm 112:5; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; Romans 12:8-13; Philippians 4: 16-19; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 6:18)