An Introduction to

Welcome to the Hope Christian Church membership class! It is our hope that you will not only learn more about the church, but will also catch the vision to reach the world with the good news

of Jesus Christ. We look forward to partnering with you as we follow Jesus together!

OUR VISION

PURPOSE STATEMENT (What we want to be true about us)

The purpose of Hope Christian Church is to grow people to love God, and to grow churches to love people.

“He (Jesus) said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

MISSION STATEMENT (What we want to accomplish)

* Lead people to LOVE GOD fully, practically, and without restraint. Loving God is another way of saying "worship". At Hope Christian Church, we recognize that Biblical worship is a lifestyle based on a relationship of surrender to the living God. (Romans 12:1-2)

* Lead our members to LOVE PEOPLE in practical and meaningful ways. Jesus said that we would be known as His disciples by our love for one another, and He commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. People invest in the things that they value, and this is why Faith, Hope and Love are the essentials for the Christian; with the greatest of these being love!   (Matthew 22:39)

* Lead people to SERVE ALL they come in contact with, in and out of the church. At Hope we want to be a community where people can grow in Christian maturity and discover God’s ministry plan for their lives. When Christ is at work in every aspect of our lives, then ministry is a natural outpouring of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  (Romans 8:29, Ephesians 4:11-16)

* Lead people to MULTIPLY. We are called to share God’s good news in the languages, cultures, and contexts of all the people we come in contact with. In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus tells us to scatter the seeds of the Gospel everywhere we go, and at Hope Christian Church we focus our “scattering” intentionally toward the people of Castaic, the Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County, and ultimately the world. (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts17: 16-34)

* Part of Multiplication involves church planting. We intentionally plan on planting new churches, being a catalyst for effective church planting and partnering with other churches and church planters to assist in expanding church starts as much as possible. (Acts 2:43-47) (Acts 1:8)

* Multiplication also involves ‘giving away’ ministry by training others and then encouraging them to move into places of service and ultimately leadership! We want to not only train and release members of Hope into ministry, but also want to partner with other churches and ministries as the Lord leads.

VALUES OF HOPE (Basis from which decisions are made)

1. We value the Bible as the source of authority for our beliefs (truth) and the standard by which we live (application). (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2. We value the worship of God corporately and in our individual lives. (Revelation 4:11, Romans 12:1) This is an experiential relationship with God that commands our full devotion. (Luke 9:23-25)

3. We value people and desire that they discover a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

4. We value authentic relationships that promote life change, healing, and wholeness. (Colossians 3:12-17)

~ By putting the interests of others above our own(Philippians 2:3-4, John 13:34-35)

~ By living an open and honest life before each other(Ephesians 4:25, 1 John 1:7)

~ By giving and receiving Scriptural correction(Hebrews 10:24-25, 3:13)

~ By clearing up blocked relationships (Matthew 5:23-24)

5. We value a lifestyle of sacrifice (time and treasures) for the sake of others, both as a church and as individuals. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)

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6. We value the involvement of every Christ follower in meaningful ministries, contributing their unique gifts and abilities. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

7. We value teamwork as the most effective means of accomplishing our goals and objectives. (Romans 16:1-3,21-23)

* Cohesion - We are loyal and trust each other.* Proactive - We have a “can-do” attitude.* Sharp - We do sharp things in a sharp way.* Inclusive - You can be part!

8. We value excellence because it honors God and inspires people. (Colossians 3:23)

9. We value cultural relevancy and innovation, subject to Biblical Truth. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

10. We value being Kingdom-Focused in our decision-making, vision, goals, plans, actions, and ministries. (Matthew 6:33)

OUR FAITH STATEMENTS

* In essential beliefs, we have unity.

“There is one body and one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all...” Ephesians 4:4-6

* In non-essentials, we have diversity.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” Romans 14:1

* In all things, we show charity.

“If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge, but also the very secrets of God, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I amount to nothing at all.”

1 Corinthians 13:2 PH

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OUR ESSENTIAL BELIEFS

The Bible is the Word of God. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. Because God inspired it, the Bible is the supreme source of truth for all Christian beliefs and practices. (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105,160; 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He is one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is infinite and personal, holy and loving, forgiving and just. (See Genesis 1:1; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Jesus Christ is the eternal God who became a man, lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and was bodily raised from the dead. He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return some day to reign forever. (See Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5; 14:10-13; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Heb. 4:14-15)

The Holy Spirit is God’s presence in the world today. He is present to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He comes to live in every believer at the moment of conversion, and provides power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and personal guidance. The Holy Spirit also gives every believer spiritual gifts, which are to be used in ministry to others. (See John 16:7-13; 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; 12:4-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18)

God creates human beings in His image. They are the supreme objects of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all are marred by an attitude and lifestyle of disobedience toward God called “sin.” Sin separates people from God and causes them to miss God’s plan for their lives. (See Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6; 59:2; Romans 3:23)

People were created to exist forever, either eternally separated from God by sin and personal choice (a condition the Bible calls “hell”), or eternally present with God in heaven through salvation (described below). (See John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Revelation 20:15)

Salvation is a free gift received from God. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works, so we must place our faith in Jesus Christ as God’s provider of forgiveness. This faith involves committing one’s life to Jesus as Lord (or leader). (See John 1:12; 14:6; Romans 3:21-26; 6:23; 10:9-13; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)

Our salvation, being a gift of God, is secure. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not the self-effort of the Christian. (See John 5:24; 10:27-29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5)

The Church is the body of Christ on earth. The term “church” has both a universal meaning (all Christians of all time) and a local meaning (individual congregations like Hope). Each local church is responsible to decide its boundaries according to its understanding of the Bible, and determining how it can best contribute to the fulfillment of God’s purposes on earth. (1 Corinthians 16:19; Eph.1: 22-23; 1 Tim. 5:17)

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THE HOPE STRUCTURE

“For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace...Everythingshould be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

1 Corinthians 14:33,40

HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS

Senior Pastor and Pastoral Leadership TeamThe Pastoral Leadership Team is set aside because of the gifting, character and calling to discern direction and lead the congregation. This team is selected based on the qualifications of an “elder” or “pastor” as denoted in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The Pastoral Leadership Team also takes primary responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the church. We want to streamline our structure to maximize ministry and minimize maintenance. Each small group and ministry team relates to someone from the Pastoral Staff. Within that context, we want the day-to-day decisions made by the people actually doing the ministries of the church.

Leadership CommunityThe Leadership Community includes all ministry team leaders and small group leaders. The Leadership Community works to coordinate ministry efforts to ensure unity of vision and direction. In addition, the Leadership Community provides grass roots input essential for wise decision-making.

Hope Christian Church MembersThe Leadership of Hope Christian Church seeks input from the membership on matters of significant direction. Members of Hope are asked to confirm by vote:

* The hiring of the Senior Pastor, or any other Pastoral Staff* The budget* Changes in the constitution* The election of Trustees, * The purchase of property

OUR AFFILIATION

Though Hope Christian Church is an independent church, committed to effectively ministering to people here in Castaic and the Santa Clarita Valley, we recognize that our responsibility does not end locally. In what’s called the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20) the Lord Jesus commanded his follower to be involved in a much greater task: sharing him with the whole world. This goal is too big for us to accomplish alone, so we have chosen to cooperate with groups of other churches that, like us, see this commission as a priority. Listed below is information about the organizations with whom we affiliate.

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The Southern Baptist Convention is composed of over 40,000 self-governing churches that are connected together for one purpose - to more effectively take the message of Christ to the world. To be a member a church must: (a) contribute toward Baptist outreach efforts, and (b) be in agreement with the overall purposes, goals and beliefs of other participating churches.

Three Advantages of affiliating with the SBC.1. It allows us to identify with other Christians who are known for their commitment to the Bible. The SBC has no man-made “creed.” The Bible is our only authority.

2. It allows our church to participate in the largest missionary organization in the world. Through the SBC financial base known as the “Cooperative Program,” we help support over 7,500 missionaries so they don’t have to raise support independently.

3. Remaining part of a larger group brings an accountability that keeps us from straying into the errors of many cults and cult-like churches.

The California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) is a fellowship of about 450,000 members in approximately 1,800 congregations that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention. Each week throughout California 60 language groups and almost 100 ethnic groups are represented in congregations throughout California. The CSBC and the SBC share a common bond of basic biblical beliefs and a commitment to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.

The San Fernando Valley Southern Baptist Association (SFVSBA) is a gathering of Christian churches whose desire is to fulfill Jesus' words of 'Go and make disciples' to our surrounding area. As an association, the SFVSBA exists to glorify God by helping our local churches and their leaders find the encouragement, empowerment and assets they need to fulfill Christ's calling. They want to strengthen existing church ministries, assist in new church plants, educate in missions opportunities and keep everyone informed about denominational resources. 

The North American Mission Board assists Southern Baptists in their task of fulfilling the Great Commission in the United States, Canada and their territories through a North American strategy for sharing Christ, starting churches and sending missionaries.

MEMBERSHIP AT HOPE

Membership is not necessary in order to enjoy the many benefits of attending Hope Christian Church. Still, becoming a member is an important and meaningful step to take as you integrate

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into the life of the church. This section addresses some common questions that people ask about church membership.

Why become a member of a church?The difference between attenders and members can be summed up in one word: commitment. At Hope we recognize the need for a formal membership. Becoming a member of Hope Christian Church is a declaration that you are moving from being a consumer to being an investor; that you are joining not simply the community of Christ but the cause of Christ. Here are four reasons we believe church membership is important.

* A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church.“...Christ loves the church, and he gave his life for it.” Ephesians 5:25

“You are members of God’s very own family ... and you belong God’s household with every other Christian.” Ephesians 2:19 LB

A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our no commitment society. We live in an age where very few people want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of “church shoppers and hoppers.” Membership swims against the current of America’s “consumer religion.” It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.

* A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on.Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family.

* A Personal Reason: This is the best way to grow spiritually.The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you’re not committed to any specific church family.

What does it mean to become a member of Hope Christian Church?Membership at Hope Christian Church is built around the idea of relationship. We emphasize that you’re joining a family rather than an organization. Becoming a member is a way of expressing your commitment to a relationship with Christ and with the people of Hope Christian Church. It says that you believe in what we’re doing as a church and want to be a part of it.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO BECOME A MEMBER?

There are four basic requirements:

1. A follower of Christ - making a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Leader and Forgiver. Being a follower of Jesus Christ means that you have surrendered your whole

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life to Him, asked Him to forgive you, turned from your past (repented) and celebrate that Jesus is your king.

2. Baptism – By this we mean that you have experienced Christian baptism after you made your personal commitment to follow Christ. At Hope Christian Church we baptize by immersion as a public expression of your commitment to Christ. (See Church Ordinances, below)

3. Attend the Hope Christian Church Membership class- A seminar that communicates the beliefs, strategy and ministries of Hope Christian Church, as well as what it means to be a follower of Christ.

4. Membership Covenant - Signing a covenant, renewable every year, that expresses your commitment to Christ and to the Hope Christian Church family (A copy is included at the end of this packet).

CHURCH ORDINANCES

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (called ordinances) as reminders of His death. These two ordinances are: Baptism and Communion.

Christian baptism is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members … memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

A. Why baptize?1. To follow the example of Jesus. (Matthew 3:13-17)

2. To obey Christ’s command.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” Matthew 28:19

3. It was the practice of the early church. (Acts 2:41; 8:36-38)

B. What does “Baptism” mean?1. It illustrates Christ’s death and resurrection.

“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that,

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just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-4

2. It symbolizes my new life as a Christian.

C. Why do we practice baptism by immersion?1. Because Jesus was baptized that way.

“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove.” Matthew 3:16

2. Because baptisms in the New Testament were by immersion.

“And he ordered the chariot to stop. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. `When they came up out of the water...” Acts 8:38

3. Because the word “baptize” means, “to immerse or put under water.”

4. We believe that immersion best symbolizes a death and resurrection.

D. Who should be baptized?Every person who has accepted Christ as Lord. At Hope Christian Church we wait until our children are old enough to make a clear commitment to Christ and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptize them. (Acts 2:41; 8:12,13; 8:35-38)

E. When should I be baptized?As soon as is practically possible for you and the church.

F. Who should do the baptizing?A Christian, preferably a church member who will represent Hope Christian Church.

G. Where should I be baptized?Anywhere there is enough water, and where members can witness the event.

1. What is Communion? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

* It is a simple act (v.23)

* It is a reminder (v.24)

* It is a symbol (v.25)

* It is a statement of faith (v.26)

2. Who should participate in Communion?Only those who are already Christ followers (Mark 14:22-26)

“For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment upon himself.” 1 Corinthians 11:29

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3. How do I prepare myself for Communion?

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord’s. A person ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:27-28

By...* Self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:27)* Recommitment (Romans 12:1)* Confessing my sins (1 John 1:9)* Restoring relationships (Matthew 5:23-24)

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Responsibilities of Membership

1. Continue to walk with Jesus Christ. (Colossians 2:6-7; 2 Peter 3:17-18; Philippians 3:12)

2. Be at peace with others. (Ephesians 4:1-3; John 17:21)

3. Accept others into the community. (Romans 15:7)

4. Encourage others. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

5. Serve and help others. (Philippians 2:2-11)

6. Carry your weight in the ministry and finances of the church:

- Ministry (1 Cor. 12:4-7; 14-26; 1 Tim. 1:12)

- Finances (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:9,12; 2 Cor. 9:6-9)

7. Follow leadership within scriptural limits. (Heb. 13:17; Philippians 2:14)Benefits of Membership

1. Sharing friendship with other Christ followers. (Rom. 12:10)

2. Being accepted and loved by others. (Romans 15:7)

3. Encouragement and motivation by others to do well. (Hebrews 10:24)

4. Help from others in time of need. (Galatians 6:2)

5. Experience fulfillment as you exercise your spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

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6. Help in watching your “blind spots” to avoid spiritual accidents. (Hebrews 3:13; 13:17)

7. Ongoing opportunities to affect decision making in the church. (Acts 6:1-2)

8. Coaching in how to walk with Christ and how to contribute to the lives of others. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

9. Growth toward maturity in Christ (as we work together with other Christ followers). (Ephesians 4:14-16)

THE HOPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior, and having been baptized, and being in agreement with Hope Christian Church’s statements, strategy and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Hope Christian Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:

1. I WILL STRIVE TO LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD. (Acknowledging we are all imperfect and we will blow it at some time or another. A commitment to be honest about where we are and that when we sin we come clean and trust Christ for his forgiveness)

2. I WILL BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN MINISTRY. (Faithful worshipper in corporate celebration, active involvement in growth opportunities, and find a place of service in which to use gifts and talents)

3. I WILL COMMIT TO GIVING FINANCIALLY. (Moving toward the tithe and beyond)

4. I WILL LIVE AN EVANGELISTIC LIFE. (Loving relationships with those who do not know Christ)

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