Membership

If you have questions about the membership process, contact Ceallaigh Anderson at ceallaigh@hopecc.com.

There are two main types of membership at Hope Community Church: Positional Members and Church Members. Church Membership can either be Full Membership or Associate Membership as described below:

"Positional Members"

Hope Community Church acknowledges that every individual who has made a personal profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a "positional member" of the universal Body of Christ and should be given opportunity to use their God-given gifts and resources to serve Him and further the Kingdom of God. There are many ways that members of the Body of Christ can use their gifts at Hope Community Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6). "Positional" membership is eternal and unchanging.

"Church Membership"

We also believe that God calls "positional members" to grow by becoming "church members" in a specific, local fellowship united with common Biblical beliefs and a common sense of mission (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:25-31; 14:12,26 Hebrews 10:24,25). We cannot see the invisible bond of a "positional member" in Christ, but we can identify those who are the "church members" at Hope Community. We invite those wishing to join our community of faith to become church members if they agree with the Constitution and its Bylaws and are willing to go through the membership process to become church members of Hope Community Church.

"Associate Church Members"

Being uniquely located near the University of Minnesota, Hope Community Church recognizes that some people may wish to keep their membership at a "home" church while they are in transition. If this is the case, we allow for an associate membership, where these individuals can be members of Hope Community Church without transferring their membership from their previous church. The privileges, responsibilities and disciplines of an associate membership are identical to a church membership, except that the membership will expire four (4) years from its inception. At that time, in order to continue membership at Hope Community Church, the individual will need to become a church member by discontinuing membership in another church body.

Procedure for becoming a Church Member:

1. Declare a personal commitment of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, publicly proclaimed through believer baptism by immersion, and display evidence of a maturing, active, love relationship with Jesus;

2. Be in full agreement and practice with the HCC Statement of Faith, Vision, Core Values, and Church Covenant;

3. Agree to abide by the Hope Community Church constitution and bylaws.

4. If the individual is a member of another congregation, a letter of transfer from that church will be requested, or a written communication with that fellowship that membership is to be discontinued at the previous church.

5. Prior to acceptance as a Church Member, each person will complete the introductory membership class which explains Hope Community Church's vision, values, beliefs, ministries and expectation of being a Church Member.

6. A person interested in membership will meet with a group of Church Members appointed by the Leadership Team to determine that he/she agrees to uphold the conditions of membership. At least two (2) people from this group will be members of the Leadership Team. Upon approval of this group of Church Members, as well as the fulfillment of 1-5 above, the person will become a Church Member.

Procedure for becoming an Associate Church Member:

Procedure for becoming an Associate Church Member of Hope Community Church is the same as the procedure for becoming a Church Member, with the exclusion of the letter of transfer request.

Privileges of Church Membership:

It identifies a person as a Christ-committed follower (Ephesians 2:9, Romans 12:5).

It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage a person in a walk with Christ (Galatians 6:1-2, Hebrews 1:24-25).

It places a person under the spiritual protection and guidance of Christ-centered leaders
(Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28-29).

It gives a person the accountability needed to grow (Ephesians 5:21).

It provides the opportunity to hold offices in the church (Elder and Deacon).

It gives the person the privilege of voting on Church matters if of legal voting age (18).

Note - We do not require church membership in order to be in non-office positions of service or leadership. The only requirement is that the individual must be a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

Responsibilities of Church Membership:

With the privilege of membership comes certain responsibilities. As they are enabled by God to do so, members will:

1. Pray regularly for other members and the church pastor(s) and leadership;

2. Regularly participate in the ministries of Hope Community Church;

3. Care for others in the Body of Christ and prayerfully consider ministry within the church;

4. Seek to follow Christ and His example in attitude and activity;

5. Share the good news of forgiveness in Christ with those who do not know Him; and

6. Give regularly and intentionally of God's financial provision to support the work of the church.

See Hope's Constitution for additional information.