core values

- The Gospel -

The Gospel is the ‘good news’ that through Christ’s death and resurrection, God’s kingdom has entered history to renew the world. This is the message and mission of the local church. The Gospel is both the invitation and the means of discipleship. The proclamation and practice of the Gospel drives everything we do. Specifically, the Gospel is at the heart of…   

Teaching: Jesus proclaimed that the whole of the Scriptures pointed to and were fulfilled in him. We teach the Gospel message as the means to living the life God intended for humanity to live.    Becoming like Christ (discipleship), and loving God are not add on steps to the Gospel, but are the practical expressions of the Gospel.

Worship: The message of the Gospel encompasses our worship as well. Worship is our response to the grace of God, extended to humanity in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

- Community -

The Gospel creates a new humanity, rescuing people from individualism and isolation, and bringing people together as a foreshadowing of God’s coming kingdom. Living in community is therefore essential to becoming a follower of Christ. This is expressed at Living Hope through…   

Small Groups: Rather than being a church with small groups, Living Hope is a church of small groups. Our small groups connect people together in relationships for spiritual growth, accountability, and discipleship.

Leadership: Living Hope is lead by a plurality of elders, called by God to lead the church and model the necessity of community. Our aim is to reflect the value of community and plurality in all we do.

- Mission -

The Gospel message is a message wrapped up in mission. Because Christ was sent into the world for a mission, the Gospel calls all followers of Christ to be on mission. We believe that our calling as followers of Christ is to serve our world, thus embodying the mission and message of Jesus Christ. This mission is expressed at Living Hope through…

Missional Living: We believe that God has placed us in a particular place, with particular gifts, in a particular time, for an intentional purpose. Therefore, mission is not reserved only for super-Christians with a higher calling, but is the norm for any who would follow Christ. The Gospel calls us to integrate all aspects of life and work with our faith. Living Hope aims to equip people to live out and proclaim the Gospel in all walks of life.

Local and Global Mission: We believe that we are both responsible for and called to the transformation and well-being of Memphis (Jeremiah 29) as well as the proclamation of the Gospel to the ends of the Earth (Acts 1). Therefore, Living Hope focuses on particular areas of our city and world to engage in meaningful service and Gospel proclamation. By caring for the poor and the least reached, Living Hope seeks to fulfill the great commission through strategic mission.

Church Planting: Realizing that Living Hope cannot be all things to all people, we seek to plant Gospel-centered churches in and around Memphis and our world.