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Message QUICK GUIDE TO HOPE CHURCH

WHO IS HOPE CHURCH?There is much more to church than what you immediately see. We want to be true to what we believe God has called this church to be. Mission and Vision are important to us because ‘without vision the people perish’. We need to know where we are going and doing what God has called us to do. Our values help us stay tuned to who God has called us to be. Our vehicles help us get there. All of this is underpinned by our doctrine - what we believe.OUR MISSION - MAKING GOD FAMOUSIN OUR LIFE - We want our lives and all we do to glorify Jesus. We follow Him. AS CHURCH FAMILY - We share our lives generously with each other as family, to help each other grow in Jesus. AS WE GO - The Borders is our home. We love and serve the people that live here and beyond, knowing that Jesus can transform lives and communities.OUR VISIONThe church we see God building is a family where everyone truly belongs. An inviting, all age church excited about Jesus and what He is building through each of us. We believe God wants to pour out His Spirit in greater measure; for His Church to know His presence and power to enable His people to ourish in the days ahead. We see the church partnering with other churches and ministries and working tirelessly to see His kingdom advanced. We see us multiplying and meeting in multiple gatherings across the Borders and beyond. To strategise for that we have established the values Pray, Meet, Make, Multiply for this season.5

WHO IS HOPE CHURCH?There is much more to church than what you immediately see. We want to be true to what we believe God has called this church to be. Mission and Vision are important to us because ‘without vision the people perish’. We need to know where we are going and doing what God has called us to do. Our values help us stay tuned to who God has called us to be. Our vehicles help us get there. All of this is underpinned by our doctrine - what we believe.OUR MISSION - MAKING GOD FAMOUSIN OUR LIFE - We want our lives and all we do to glorify Jesus. We follow Him. AS CHURCH FAMILY - We share our lives generously with each other as family, to help each other grow in Jesus. AS WE GO - The Borders is our home. We love and serve the people that live here and beyond, knowing that Jesus can transform lives and communities.OUR VISIONThe church we see God building is a family where everyone truly belongs. An inviting, all age church excited about Jesus and what He is building through each of us. We believe God wants to pour out His Spirit in greater measure; for His Church to know His presence and power to enable His people to ourish in the days ahead. We see the church partnering with other churches and ministries and working tirelessly to see His kingdom advanced. We see us multiplying and meeting in multiple gatherings across the Borders and beyond. To strategise for that we have established the values Pray, Meet, Make, Multiply for this season.5

PRAY We desire to know God’s presence and to move in His power, not ours. Prayer is key. ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’ [Exodus 33:15]MEET Something signicant happens when we, as the people of God, meet together. We want to be expectant and faith lled for what God would do among us. ‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all lled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.’ [Acts 4:31]MAKE Our life goal is to become like Jesus. We want to equip and release one another to grow as Jesus followers. We want to be disciples who make disciples. ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…’ [Matthew 28:19MULTIPLY Obviously it’s Jesus who does the multiplying. But we can position ourselves to see multiplication, experiencing fruitful lives and intentionally using God given opportunities to expand so we can share Jesus with others. ‘Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers’ [Acts 9:31]OUR VALUES7

PRAY We desire to know God’s presence and to move in His power, not ours. Prayer is key. ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’ [Exodus 33:15]MEET Something signicant happens when we, as the people of God, meet together. We want to be expectant and faith lled for what God would do among us. ‘After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all lled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.’ [Acts 4:31]MAKE Our life goal is to become like Jesus. We want to equip and release one another to grow as Jesus followers. We want to be disciples who make disciples. ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…’ [Matthew 28:19MULTIPLY Obviously it’s Jesus who does the multiplying. But we can position ourselves to see multiplication, experiencing fruitful lives and intentionally using God given opportunities to expand so we can share Jesus with others. ‘Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers’ [Acts 9:31]OUR VALUES7

WORSHIP & PRAYER NIGHTSA monthly mid-week space where we can meet to worship freely and let God lead us in prayer.SUNDAY GATHERINGSThere is a monthly rhythm to give us smaller, mid and larger gatherings; All Out Sunday: where we gather in Life Mission Groups across the Borders. Sunday Gatherings: mid sized multiple gatherings. All In Sunday: with one gathering all together.LIFE MISSION GROUPS (LMGs)Life Mission Groups are a family within a family. It’s where we are known and cared for. Life Mission Groups emphasise discipleship and remind us of our mission. Groups meet in homes in different areas across the Borders.2s & 3sWe encourage everyone at Hope to partner with others in groups of 2 or 3 people. It’s about deeper relationship, prayer, encouragement and accountability - to help each other be Jesus followers.STREAMS Streams are all about equipping and releasing us in the vefold ministry gifts [Ephesians 4] of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.COMMUNITYWe want to love our communities. Some of our serving and outreach includes: Community Drop In, Thrive Baby & Toddler group, CMA Debt Help, Food Bank and GreenHope Community Drop In.OUR VEHICLESVision is where we are heading as church, vehicles are the things we do in practice to help us get there. Different seasons might require different methods and emphasis. In this season for Hope Church these are some of our vehicles;9

WORSHIP & PRAYER NIGHTSA monthly mid-week space where we can meet to worship freely and let God lead us in prayer.SUNDAY GATHERINGSThere is a monthly rhythm to give us smaller, mid and larger gatherings; All Out Sunday: where we gather in Life Mission Groups across the Borders. Sunday Gatherings: mid sized multiple gatherings. All In Sunday: with one gathering all together.LIFE MISSION GROUPS (LMGs)Life Mission Groups are a family within a family. It’s where we are known and cared for. Life Mission Groups emphasise discipleship and remind us of our mission. Groups meet in homes in different areas across the Borders.2s & 3sWe encourage everyone at Hope to partner with others in groups of 2 or 3 people. It’s about deeper relationship, prayer, encouragement and accountability - to help each other be Jesus followers.STREAMS Streams are all about equipping and releasing us in the vefold ministry gifts [Ephesians 4] of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.COMMUNITYWe want to love our communities. Some of our serving and outreach includes: Community Drop In, Thrive Baby & Toddler group, CMA Debt Help, Food Bank and GreenHope Community Drop In.OUR VEHICLESVision is where we are heading as church, vehicles are the things we do in practice to help us get there. Different seasons might require different methods and emphasis. In this season for Hope Church these are some of our vehicles;9

GOCommit to sharing God’s love and the good news of Jesus with others around you. ‘Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone’ [Colossians 4:5,6]11WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELONG TO HOPE CHURCH?We prefer the term ‘Belonging’ rather than membership. When you feel part of a family it makes sense that you’ll want to be involved and play your part. For those who are on a journey with Jesus and want to put down roots and become part of the Hope Family we invite you to join with us to pray, meet, make and multiply;PRAY - Develop your own prayer life and join in with church prayer life like Hope Prayer. MEET - Commit to being relationally connected through Gatherings, LMGs and 2s & 3s. MAKE - Commit to your own discipleship and encourage others in theirs. MULTIPLY - By engaging in gifts, give, go;GIFTSWe believe each of us is chosen by God for ‘works of service’ [Ephesians 4:12] Holy Spirit gifted to live out our faith where we live and work and to serve in local church. Serving on a team means you know others better and grow up in Christ who came to ‘serve and not be served’.GIVECommit to nancially supporting Hope church through regular giving. ‘see that you also excel in this grace of giving’ [2 Corinthians 8:7] Grace empowered generosity enables the church to ourish, and a vital part of maturing as a disciple is getting involved in cheerful giving into church.

GOCommit to sharing God’s love and the good news of Jesus with others around you. ‘Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone’ [Colossians 4:5,6]11WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELONG TO HOPE CHURCH?We prefer the term ‘Belonging’ rather than membership. When you feel part of a family it makes sense that you’ll want to be involved and play your part. For those who are on a journey with Jesus and want to put down roots and become part of the Hope Family we invite you to join with us to pray, meet, make and multiply;PRAY - Develop your own prayer life and join in with church prayer life like Hope Prayer. MEET - Commit to being relationally connected through Gatherings, LMGs and 2s & 3s. MAKE - Commit to your own discipleship and encourage others in theirs. MULTIPLY - By engaging in gifts, give, go;GIFTSWe believe each of us is chosen by God for ‘works of service’ [Ephesians 4:12] Holy Spirit gifted to live out our faith where we live and work and to serve in local church. Serving on a team means you know others better and grow up in Christ who came to ‘serve and not be served’.GIVECommit to nancially supporting Hope church through regular giving. ‘see that you also excel in this grace of giving’ [2 Corinthians 8:7] Grace empowered generosity enables the church to ourish, and a vital part of maturing as a disciple is getting involved in cheerful giving into church.

THE NEXT GENERATION We believe church is for all ages. We want to see our kids and young people ourish and have solid, relevant grounding in Christianity. That is why we invest in Hope Kids and Hope Youth. But more than that we desire to be spiritual mothers and fathers nurturing, equipping and releasing us all to reach our God given potential. This also means we want to be raising up the next generation of leaders.LEADERSHIPWhenever the New Testament talks about church leadership it’s always in the plural. Because of this Hope Church is overseen by a team of Elders [biblically the terms elder / pastor are interchangeable], men who carry the responsibility for the doctrine, pastoring, discipline and direction of the church. The elders are helped by Team Leaders - men and women who head up different teams and carry signicant practical responsibility. We also have a team of Trustees who oversee the nancial and legal side of Hope Church as a charitable organisation. Biblical leadership is always servant leadership and that’s what we aim for. Leaders have vital role but so do we all. We believe in the ‘priesthood of all believers’. God speaks to and through all of us.ACCOUNTABILITY & PARTNERSHIPWe so value our partnership within the Newfrontiers Family of Churches and are very blessed to be part of New Ground who offer apostolic wisdom and oversight. We enjoy strong links and support with the other New Frontiers churches in Scotland and are part of Scotland New Ground Hub. Hope Church is part of the Galashiels Fellowship of Churches. We work closely with many local churches and regularly meet with their leaders. We are interested in the Kingdom God is building with us all. Hope Church is part of Evangelical Alliance. 13

THE NEXT GENERATION We believe church is for all ages. We want to see our kids and young people ourish and have solid, relevant grounding in Christianity. That is why we invest in Hope Kids and Hope Youth. But more than that we desire to be spiritual mothers and fathers nurturing, equipping and releasing us all to reach our God given potential. This also means we want to be raising up the next generation of leaders.LEADERSHIPWhenever the New Testament talks about church leadership it’s always in the plural. Because of this Hope Church is overseen by a team of Elders [biblically the terms elder / pastor are interchangeable], men who carry the responsibility for the doctrine, pastoring, discipline and direction of the church. The elders are helped by Team Leaders - men and women who head up different teams and carry signicant practical responsibility. We also have a team of Trustees who oversee the nancial and legal side of Hope Church as a charitable organisation. Biblical leadership is always servant leadership and that’s what we aim for. Leaders have vital role but so do we all. We believe in the ‘priesthood of all believers’. God speaks to and through all of us.ACCOUNTABILITY & PARTNERSHIPWe so value our partnership within the Newfrontiers Family of Churches and are very blessed to be part of New Ground who offer apostolic wisdom and oversight. We enjoy strong links and support with the other New Frontiers churches in Scotland and are part of Scotland New Ground Hub. Hope Church is part of the Galashiels Fellowship of Churches. We work closely with many local churches and regularly meet with their leaders. We are interested in the Kingdom God is building with us all. Hope Church is part of Evangelical Alliance. 13

WHAT WE BELIEVE What we believe is the foundation of all that we are and everything we do - all rooted in the Bible.JESUS CENTREDWe believe God the Father has established Jesus as the Head of the church. He is the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Senior Pastor and Teacher in the worldwide church which we are part of. All our life and growth comes from our union with Him. Through Jesus, God builds His church. [Ephesians 5:23]THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY OF GODIn creation, providence and redemption. That God is the perfect, Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ was God made man; His virgin birth, the authority of His teaching and His work of atonement for everyone by His death on the cross, EVANGELICALThe Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the living word of God. We believe it literally, take it as our authority, and order our individual and corporate lives in the light of it. So we believe the miracles recorded in the Bible really happened and Jesus physically rose from the dead and will physically return. We try our best not change scriptures so that they t with culture but rather with the help of the Holy Spirit endeavour to interpret the truth so that we can obey it. [2 Timothy 3:16]CHARISMATICMuch more than just being lively! We believe the model of church as seen His bodily resurrection, His ascension into Heaven, His present priestly intercession for His people and His future return to earth [1Peter 1:3]THE REALITY OF ORIGINAL SINIn consequence of the fall and our necessity of regeneration. We are called to worship Him with our lives and that God in His outrageous love has made justication for the sinner solely by faith through the atoning work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion and sanctication; also in ministry, worship and in exercising spiritual gifts through the body of believers. [Romans 3:23,24] MISSIONALWe are a people who have been commissioned by Jesus to make disciples of all nations. We will speak about Jesus, making sure that we do so respectfully, keeping our lives and conversation full of grace. We believe that Jesus is the way to be reconciled to God and so we proclaim Jesus and Him crucied. [Colossians 4:2-6]BELIEVER’S BAPTISMJesus told his rst followers to baptise [baptizio - plunge/immerse] all who gave their lives to Him. So this is what we do: fully immerse believers who have confessed repentance and faith in Jesus as their saviour and Lord. [Matthew 28:19]in the book of Acts is a model for us to pursue today – Spirit lled lives - from looking after the poor to expecting miracles. We don’t believe that the era of the early church was totally unique – yes, it was uniquely foundational, but that foundation shapes the church today. The Holy Spirit fuels our power, sacrice, community, impact, opposition, boldness, proclamation, signs and wonders. We believe in all the things you’ll nd in the Bible’s charisma lists. [Romans 12 & 1 Corinthians 12]DIVERSEWe welcome everyone. We are not interested in building church with a particular label. We want to build a Revelation 7 church 15where every kind of person - regardless of age or social background - is gathered around the throne. A beautiful thing because it speaks of the victory of Christ – that on the cross He has brought down every dividing wall so that we are all now one in Christ! Ephesians 2:14,15]COMPLEMENTARIANWe believe in the distinctiveness of men and women. We believe in men and women using their gifts and serving in the church. We believe that leadership is a male and female role. We believe eldership is a male role because we believe that’s what the Bible teaches. [Genesis 1:27

WHAT WE BELIEVE What we believe is the foundation of all that we are and everything we do - all rooted in the Bible.JESUS CENTREDWe believe God the Father has established Jesus as the Head of the church. He is the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Senior Pastor and Teacher in the worldwide church which we are part of. All our life and growth comes from our union with Him. Through Jesus, God builds His church. [Ephesians 5:23]THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY OF GODIn creation, providence and redemption. That God is the perfect, Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That Jesus Christ was God made man; His virgin birth, the authority of His teaching and His work of atonement for everyone by His death on the cross, EVANGELICALThe Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the living word of God. We believe it literally, take it as our authority, and order our individual and corporate lives in the light of it. So we believe the miracles recorded in the Bible really happened and Jesus physically rose from the dead and will physically return. We try our best not change scriptures so that they t with culture but rather with the help of the Holy Spirit endeavour to interpret the truth so that we can obey it. [2 Timothy 3:16]CHARISMATICMuch more than just being lively! We believe the model of church as seen His bodily resurrection, His ascension into Heaven, His present priestly intercession for His people and His future return to earth [1Peter 1:3]THE REALITY OF ORIGINAL SINIn consequence of the fall and our necessity of regeneration. We are called to worship Him with our lives and that God in His outrageous love has made justication for the sinner solely by faith through the atoning work of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit in conversion and sanctication; also in ministry, worship and in exercising spiritual gifts through the body of believers. [Romans 3:23,24] MISSIONALWe are a people who have been commissioned by Jesus to make disciples of all nations. We will speak about Jesus, making sure that we do so respectfully, keeping our lives and conversation full of grace. We believe that Jesus is the way to be reconciled to God and so we proclaim Jesus and Him crucied. [Colossians 4:2-6]BELIEVER’S BAPTISMJesus told his rst followers to baptise [baptizio - plunge/immerse] all who gave their lives to Him. So this is what we do: fully immerse believers who have confessed repentance and faith in Jesus as their saviour and Lord. [Matthew 28:19]in the book of Acts is a model for us to pursue today – Spirit lled lives - from looking after the poor to expecting miracles. We don’t believe that the era of the early church was totally unique – yes, it was uniquely foundational, but that foundation shapes the church today. The Holy Spirit fuels our power, sacrice, community, impact, opposition, boldness, proclamation, signs and wonders. We believe in all the things you’ll nd in the Bible’s charisma lists. [Romans 12 & 1 Corinthians 12]DIVERSEWe welcome everyone. We are not interested in building church with a particular label. We want to build a Revelation 7 church 15where every kind of person - regardless of age or social background - is gathered around the throne. A beautiful thing because it speaks of the victory of Christ – that on the cross He has brought down every dividing wall so that we are all now one in Christ! Ephesians 2:14,15]COMPLEMENTARIANWe believe in the distinctiveness of men and women. We believe in men and women using their gifts and serving in the church. We believe that leadership is a male and female role. We believe eldership is a male role because we believe that’s what the Bible teaches. [Genesis 1:27

OUR CULTUREOur culture helps us determine what we seek to look and feel like - a philosophy of ministry. These Biblical themes are taken from Acts 2:42-47 - an exciting picture of New Testament Church!ROOTED IN FATHER GOD’S LOVETo know the intimate love of God the Father and seek His presence always. 'praising GOD'LOVING JESUS. FOLLOWING JESUSIt's all about Jesus. Only His grace saves us. Only His grace keeps us. We want to follow Him as radical uncompromising followers. True followers of Jesus make more followers. 'devoted to ...BREAKING BREAD'WORD CENTREDThe living, active and powerful word of God - central to all we believe and do. ‘they devoted themselves ..to TEACHING’SPIRIT EMPOWEREDHoly Spirit lled, gifted and empowered to live for Jesus and serve in the church of Jesus. Knowing Holy Spirit power to save, heal, restore, and see the miraculous. ‘many WONDERS and SIGNS’PRAYERFUL‘Only God can move mountains but our prayers move God’. We must seek HIM rst in everything. 'they devoted themselves ... to PRAYER'GENEROUSReecting the generous heart of God Generous with our lives, love and nance. ‘GIVE to ANYONE who had NEED’17

OUR CULTUREOur culture helps us determine what we seek to look and feel like - a philosophy of ministry. These Biblical themes are taken from Acts 2:42-47 - an exciting picture of New Testament Church!ROOTED IN FATHER GOD’S LOVETo know the intimate love of God the Father and seek His presence always. 'praising GOD'LOVING JESUS. FOLLOWING JESUSIt's all about Jesus. Only His grace saves us. Only His grace keeps us. We want to follow Him as radical uncompromising followers. True followers of Jesus make more followers. 'devoted to ...BREAKING BREAD'WORD CENTREDThe living, active and powerful word of God - central to all we believe and do. ‘they devoted themselves ..to TEACHING’SPIRIT EMPOWEREDHoly Spirit lled, gifted and empowered to live for Jesus and serve in the church of Jesus. Knowing Holy Spirit power to save, heal, restore, and see the miraculous. ‘many WONDERS and SIGNS’PRAYERFUL‘Only God can move mountains but our prayers move God’. We must seek HIM rst in everything. 'they devoted themselves ... to PRAYER'GENEROUSReecting the generous heart of God Generous with our lives, love and nance. ‘GIVE to ANYONE who had NEED’17

A FAMILYWhere everyone nds their place, is loved and belongs. A family where we nurture, disciple, support and be accountable. ‘they were TOGETHER and had EVERYTHING IN COMMON.’AUTHENTICReal, open, honest, sharing our lives and being relevant to those around us. 'SINCERE hearts.'BUILDING TEAMEveryone has been called and gifted ‘created to do good works' we want to release and equip each other to serve Jesus and His church. And Empower the next generation. ‘all the believers were TOGETHER.'SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE God has given His very best. We want to serve His Church with our very best. 'they DEVOTED themselves.’FUNEnjoying and celebrating together the grace of God in our lives with ’GLAD and SINCERE hearts.’

A FAMILYWhere everyone nds their place, is loved and belongs. A family where we nurture, disciple, support and be accountable. ‘they were TOGETHER and had EVERYTHING IN COMMON.’AUTHENTICReal, open, honest, sharing our lives and being relevant to those around us. 'SINCERE hearts.'BUILDING TEAMEveryone has been called and gifted ‘created to do good works' we want to release and equip each other to serve Jesus and His church. And Empower the next generation. ‘all the believers were TOGETHER.'SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE God has given His very best. We want to serve His Church with our very best. 'they DEVOTED themselves.’FUNEnjoying and celebrating together the grace of God in our lives with ’GLAD and SINCERE hearts.’

www.hopechurchborders.org.uk | Hope Church Borders is a Registered Charity SC044574 Part of Newfrontiers Family of Churches MAKING GOD FAMOUSIN OUR LIFE | AS CHURCH FAMILY | AS WE GO