faq
How do I become a member of Living Hope?
We desire to be a church where every member feels loved. Being a member of our church means that we care for one another (1 Cor.12:12-27), we watch out for one another (1 Cor.10:24: Eph. 4:2), and we submit to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:21). Being a member of the church provides people spiritual encouragement, love, nurture, care, and opportunities for serving God. Being a member also includes responsibilities for serving God and others. Therefore, in order to be a member of Living Hope, the following requirements must be met:
• A personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation
• Baptism as a testimony of salvation
• Completion of membership class and signing of the most recent new member covenant
Will Living Hope ever have their own permanent building?
Living Hope is currently in the process of designing and building a permanent building on our property at Hwy 385 and Keogh Rd. just south of the intersection of 385 and Poplar Ave in Piperton.
What about my children?
HOPE PARK is the place for children, birth – Grade 4 on Sunday mornings. HOPE PARK for Preschoolers (birth-Pre-K) is offered at 9 and 10:45 each Sunday morning. God’s love for preschoolers is shared through words of love and comforting care by adult volunteers who serve on a weekly basis and have been screened and trained to deal with the needs of preschoolers. Center based teaching begins with age 2-Pre-K.
At both hours, preschoolers (age 1-Pre-K) have an opportunity to worship God through music as gifted worship leaders engage them in singing and learning songs about the great God that loves each of them.
Children in Kindergarten through Grade 4 have two entirely different opportunities in HOPE PARK. At 9:00 children study the Bible from a God-centered viewpoint. Each week children are challenged to ask the question, “What does this week’s lesson say about God?” Children Desiring God curriculum series is used during this hour. At 10:45 a.m., “The Park” opens for K-4th Grade. This is a large group and small group concept using the Promiseland series as the curriculum. The Park provides a time of active worship and fun activities as well as in-depth Bible study and small group experience. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend both hours.
Grapple is our new preteen (5th and 6th grade) ministry—a joint effort of the children’s and student ministries. It meets during the 9 a.m. hour on Sunday mornings. Each week preteens will have fun while digging into the Bible to “grapple” with faith and real-life issues. During the week they will connect online (in a safe, protected on-line community) with their teachers and fellow students, post prayer requests and God sightings, prepare for upcoming lessons, and vote on future activities.
What About My Students?
Our desire at Living Hope is for students to be Christ-followers who are on mission to serve people and show the love of Christ in their schools, on their teams, in their band, etc. We long for students to love God, live in community and serve their world, and our plan for making that happen is pretty simple:
• Students experience worship with all of Living Hope on Sunday mornings. This connection with the rest of the body is important as students learn to love God. Middle School students have their GoGroups, but High School students have had trouble connecting on Sunday morning. That’s why we started The Hub AM – a place in the Commons for students to gather, snack and get to know each other from 10:15 until 10:45am. Students attending the second worship service can then enter the worship center and sit together.
• Students worship together, play together, and are challenged through the Word at The Hub on Sunday nights. Why “The Hub”? Because our student ministry is not a place where you can come and grow stagnant. Like a major air traffic hub, we want to keep people moving through. We are all about helping students grow and then sending them out to change their world.
• That leads us to our GoGroups. Middle School students meet on Sunday mornings during the 9am hour. High School students meet after the Hub on Sunday nights. These are small groups where students dig into the Truth together and then challenge each other to live it out. These groups also take on mission and service projects as a team.
• Other events throughout the year, like Disciple Now, summer camp, and mission trips also help move students toward becoming disciples – loving God, living in community and serving their world.
We currently have 70 students involved in our ministry on a given week, and we’ve got new students joining us all the time. We know there are more out there who have not gotten involved, so please join us this week! Check the Student Page on this site for current information about special events.
Where can I serve?
Our hearts desire is to provide an opportunity for you to grow in your spiritual walk with the Lord and one of the ways is to serve His church. We have opportunities in all areas: Small Groups, Information Center, Set up and break down of our equipment, Ushers, Coffee Bar (set up and pack away, or facilitate), Greeters (includes parking lot, front door, commons area), children, and students. You can sign up to serve by completing the tear off section of our weekly bulletin and placing it in the offering basket or taking it to the information center.
How do I join a Small Group at Living Hope?
Because our groups are about relationships, spiritual growth and serving those around us, we make every effort to be intentional in helping people find a small group.
Any given Sunday, you can visit our Small Group Table in the Commons Area at Briarcrest and someone will help you begin the process of finding the right group for you. We offer this opportunity year-round, every Sunday.
Also, we offer 2 large-group connecting events called LH Connection, one in February and the other in September. Each of these events creates multiple “starter groups” that are launched that night and continue for 6 weeks. It’s a great way for you to mix with people whom you could potentially be in a group with. After the 6 weeks, you determine whether you want to continue as a group.
Is Living hope affiliated with any denomination?
Living Hope is not currently affiliated with any particular denomination, but may affiliate with any group that we feel will help us to better make disciples of Jesus Christ.
What is Living Hope’s leadership structure?
Following the New Testament model, Living Hope has a plurality of leadership. We have a body of elders that is made up of a combination of staff and lay elders that are nominated and affirmed by the church. We also have a staff made up of pastoral and non-pastoral leaders. The staff carries out the normal day to day operations of the church, while final decision-making authority is vested in the elders. The elders and staff work closely together to discern and to lead others in accomplishing Christ’s vision for this body of believers.