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VIVA Charter


VIVA Charter, Beliefs and Membership


VIVA is a Christian support group of like minded believers. It is not a debate forum for non-believers. VIVA and it's members will formulate plans to reach the lost, but only like minded believers will be accepted as VIVA members.

Thus with such a group, one can make progress and have joy rather than continual conflict. Below is the VIVA Charter. VIVA stands for (V.arious I.ndividuals who are V.ery A.live in Christ.)

1.0 Basic Beliefs of V.I.V.A.
 All VIVA members will be in agreement on the following basic beliefs.

  • Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and our Savior and deserving of first place in all things.
  • There is but one true God: the trinity of God the father, God the son, and God the holy Ghost.
  • Christianity is not a religion per say, but a personal relationship with Jesus. VIVA is non- denominational. Denominations are a trick to separate us.
  • All mankind has sinned.
  • The wages of sin is death.
  • Jesus died to pay for our sins.
  • Salvation is the free gift of God which can not be earned.
  • Salvation is through Grace not works. We can not add to or subtract from Jesus perfect sacrifice on the cross through our own works.
  • Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins.. but includes the imputation of Jesus life into us.
  • Jesus came to die for our sins.
  • VIVA members must confess that they have accepted Jesus free gift and are saved by faith.
  • Baptism is not a condition of salvation. No baptism methods or practices shall divide us.
  • Once saved always saved. Jesus will not loose those his Father gives him.
  • To practice Christianity is to "walk in the Spirit" which is to allow Jesus to have control of all things in our lives while we personally enter the Sabbath rest.
  • Putting Jesus in charge results in ultimate freedom not bondage to a treadmill of forced human works.
  • There is no condemnation for those who walk in the Spirit. Since God does not condemn us, VIVA members will not condemn one another.
  • VIVA members are real people who struggle with lives ups and downs, not Phantom Christians. VIVA members will not put on airs of perfection for fellow VIVA members, and will openly share their problems without fear of condemnation. We will be ourselves, not some pretend perfect creatures.
  • We can do no good acts on our own, we can not please God of our own actions. Only by total dependence on Christ Jesus can we do good works, and they are his works not ours, forplanned that we should do them.
  • We are to share our faith with VIVA members and with non VIVA members and the lost, even if politically incorrect to do so. VIVA will support this so that the lost may be led by the Holy Spirit to Christ. In sharing our faith, it is not necessary that you talk eloquently, it is a faith act. All who are saved are saved through the act of the Holy Spirit not by our perfect words. So VIVA members will not fear to speak up.
  • We are to love one another. We are to become close friends to one another, support one another, and help one another. VIVA members are to try to become the best of friends.


2.0 Membership in VIVA
To become a new member of VIVA and get on the VIVA distribution list the following criteria will apply:
  • Must be nominated by an existing VIVA member. It is the responsibility of the VIVA member to screen all potential members for the above belief set.
  • New Members are to request membership by sending a personal statement that they are saved by Jesus, and agree with the VIVA belief set. They should also include basic information about themselves. The sponsoring VIVA Member will forward this mail to the VIVA list. All VIVA members will then accept that the nominating VIVA member has checked out this individual. They will email greeting to the new member welcoming them with love. The VIVA list custodian will add them to the list and will mail them a list. The list will be regularly issued to all VIVA members for updating their lists.
  • Contact a Viva Member


3.0 Activities of VIVA
The goal of VIVA is to support like minded Christians, to allow them to contact and love one another, and to be a vehicle to support the work of the Holy Spirit through VIVA members. Activities will be scheduled as lead by the Spirit.

A Mail list is maintained and members regularly send mail to fellow VIVA members to seek help with personal problems or to gain advice on how to reach out to a lost friend or associate.

3.0 VIVA Rules of Conduct
The goal of VIVA is to support like minded Christians, to allow them to contact and love one another, and to be a vehicle to support the work of the Holy Spirit through VIVA members. VIVA is not a debate society, and strict rules of conduct will be enforced. These rules include the following:

  • In essentials Unity.
     VIVA members who express views that in direct contradiction of the VIVA Charter will be removed from VIVA.
  • In Non-essentials Liberty
    VIVA members are free to express their views on non-essentials not covered in the charter above. VIVA members will not condemn one another for these views, and if countering views from your own are expressed on non-essentials you are NOT free to be offended by them. VIVA members will not expect to find unity on all topics, just the essentials.
  • In all things Charity.
    VIVA members will be kind, considerate, and charitible to all members regardless of agreement or not.
  • Insulting and offensive language will not be tollerated.
    If a VIVA member directly insults another, they will be removed. To regain membership an appology will be required.
  • Thick Skin and Long Suffering is required
    Members who are continually insulted by the least little thing will be removed from VIVA. Maturity must be shown, and being slow to anger, and long suffering of your VIVA brothers and sisters is expected.
  • Members are Free to Leave VIVA at any time
    Members can leave VIVA at any time by sending a note to viva-remove@associate.com. Or by sending a note to the moderator asking to be removed.
  • Threatening to leave will cause immediate removal
    Since VIVA members are free to leave at any time, threats to leave unless others change will not be tollerated. If a member threatens to leave, they will be immediately removed.
  • Love one another
     VIVA members are required to show christian love for one another as commanded by Jesus. Hateful behaviour will not be tollerated.

    VIVA havenerJP@aol.com Contact a Viva Member

    Created: Feburary 1997
    Last Updated: Jan 16, 1998