What does it mean that you are a family of churches?

We think the term “family of churches” most accurately describes who we are. We are one church made up of multiple interdependent churches. We are one organization, with one tax ID number, and one bank account.

We are united around shared DNA:

1. Covenant Relationship – We are bound together as one legal entity with shared resources. We are a family of churches.

2. Beliefs and Practices – We operate from the same foundation in the Gospel.

3. Vision and values - We are committed to multiplication of God’s church and Gospel transformation.

Each church/location has a very real opportunity to contextualize ministry based on its communities needs and opportunities.

How does the leadership structure work?

There is a True Hope wide Leadership Board who oversees the entire ministry of True Hope Church and meet the qualifications of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.

This group of individuals is made up of the Lead Pastors and a group of leaders from each church. They have the responsibility of the spiritual oversight and leadership of the congregation, including encouraging, nurturing, developing new church leaders, counseling and providing constructive feedback to the lead pastors.

The Leadership Board is not focused on congregation specific issues (what music to play, how to get more small groups, etc.), but is focused on True Hope-wide issues. These include policy, vision, acquiring property, and planting new churches.

If push came to shove, the Leadership Board would have authority over the congregations. However, the system is designed not to use this authority unless necessary.

Each local congregation has a staff team that shepherd and serve the church, oversee its ministry, set its budget, carry out discipline, hire future staff, and lead the mission in its community.

Is there a leader of leaders?

Yes. Bruce Young is currently the Sr. Pastor of True Hope Church.

How do finances work?

Each congregation is expected to be self-supporting (obviously, this takes time for new churches).

Each congregation gives 10% to a centralized Missions fund (local and global) that supports church-planting, local, and global partnerships.

Each congregation also contributes a small percentage to centralized operations for accounting, payroll, communication, website, graphics, and facility maintenance services.

The remaining 80% is available for the local congregation to budget and spend as needed. These funds pay for staff salaries and ministry expenses. In a genuine way, this allows those giving at a local congregation to know that every dollar they give is supporting the mission of their local congregation, as even the local, global, and central operations monies are used to extend and support the ministry of the local church.

How does preaching work?

Each congregation has regular live preaching, overseen by the congregation’s lead pastor. Since we believe in multiplication and leadership development, each church has developed a teaching team to equip others for present preaching and future planting opportunities.

What holds True Hope Church together?

True Hope Church was possible in the first place by high levels of relationship and trust among the senior leadership. As the church continues to grow and expand, it is held together by three main things:

Covenant Relationship. This covenant agreement unites the congregations of True Hope Church into an interdependent family of churches. Like a marriage, this bond provides the security of commitment while requiring mutual sacrifice. We believe we are better together as we use shared gifts and face the challenges and burdens of life and ministry. We are committed to living in deep unity to allow the gospel to be shared with a more significant impact (John 17:23). 

Common DNA. The core beliefs and values of our leadership are embodied in a common DNA. All churches submit and participate within this DNA, with unity of purpose and goals of expanding God’s Kingdom and proclaiming His Gospel. Our end goal is to join the movement of God in loving and reaching this world for His glory. All churches also contribute to it, bringing new life and vibrancy by the nature of their participation. 

Established Boundaries. These are the elements that all churches must share. They set boundaries within which leaders are encouraged to creatively develop programs and practices that meet the needs of their community. These boundaries include doctrine, values, central ministries, unified ministries, and communication standards.

How does this structure make everyone better?

We are better together! In serving together, we are reminded that we are joining a movement of God, not building our kingdom.

Lead Pastors are better together because they have a team of others to do life together with in the same role who are supporting and encouraging each other.

Staff are better because they have colleagues they can engage at other churches who are doing similar work.

Preachers are provided the opportunity to collaborate on sermons or bounce ideas off each other.

Members are better because they have localized neighborhood churches to invite friends and co-workers who live in other parts of town.

Newer churches and church plants are more successful because they have a community of churches to lean on (especially with admin), and they have the support and strength of a movement behind them.

In the end, each church is strengthened by the overall reputation of True Hope.