R.U.F.'s Rod Mays

November 11, 2008

SYSTEM OF BELIEF

RUF brings to the campus a heart for God, a love for the campus and convictions that are well formed, deeply held and which allow us to bring a fully-orbed ministry to students. As a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America, we reflect the historic positions of the Church which include:

AUTHORITY

The full authority, inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. The Scriptures being the only infallible rule of faith and practice. We also hold to the sufficiency of the Bible, that all we need to know for life and godliness is found in it.

NECESSITY

The necessity of new life in Jesus Christ. Only those belonging to Christ have any hope for this life and the next.

TASK

The task of the Church to be the "gathering and perfecting of the saints." That is to evangelize the nations, and to strengthen the faith and life of Christians through the means by which God has appointed.

PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY

Instructed and guided by this system of belief, RUF has developed a philosophy of ministry which is biblically informed and pastorally sensitive. It is consistent with the God-given role of the Church on campus to reach and equip students to love and serve Jesus Christ and his Church. Our goals are...

GROWTH IN GRACE

RUF aims to help students understand and use the means of grace which God has provided for Christian growth. This includes studying the Bible, developing a prayer life, understanding worship, and depending on the Holy Spirit in order for us to die to sin and grow in righteousness.

EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS

RUF must proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the university community with the hope of reaching the world. We take seriously Christ's command to go and make disciples. So we are witnessing to the truth about God and man in the world of academic, relativistic thought, and we are depending upon the Holy Spirit to draw students to trust in Christ as Savior and serve him as King.

FELLOWSHIP AND SERVICE

Because Christians are united to Christ, they are also united to other believers. As Christians learn to participate by using their gifts and strengths, the body of Christ is built up. It also means reaching out as a loving, believing community to the university community -- demonstrating what it means to be a Christian.

BIBLICAL WORLD AND LIFE VIEW

Christianity is a way of seeing all of life. We believe that God is at work in the world, upholding his creation and ruling over all his creatures. His revealed truth is the integrating principle for all knowledge. This provides the Christian with a frame of reference for thinking and life-style.