For Sunday school at 9am, nursery and childcare is provided through grade 6. For corporate worship gathering at 10:30am, nursery and childcare is provided through age 6.

God's Word presents both singing and musical instruments as major features of God-exalting worship  (Psalms, Col 3:15, Eph. 5:18-19, James 5:13). We are careful to choose songs that present the truth of God's Word through lyrics that are accurate, beautiful, and singable,  but we do not believe that the Bible provides specific guidelines as to the style of the music. The Lord has richly provided us with an array of musically gifted people, and we want to use those gifts to play and sing together with the purpose of bringing glory to God.  We believe that those who lead music are to worship as they play and sing, and in this way they are "lead worshippers" in our singing time (1 Cor 10:31).  

We believe that the Lord's Supper, or communion, is for all believers because all believers are instructed to participate in the ordinance. Indeed, it is called "the cup of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27), which extends beyond our fellowship to all who are the Lord's people. Also, the limitations that are given for participation in the Lord's Supper are given for the person himself (1 Corinthians 11:28). While each person is told to examine himself, the church is not given that same instruction to examine the individuals. It is important to note that each person is to take it seriously as directed in 1 Corinthians 11:27-30. While baptism is the outward sign that marks a person’s entrance into God’s people, the church, communion is the outward sign that celebrates a person’s ongoing participation in God’s people, the church.

While we consider many of those who hold to doctrines that define the charismatic movement to be fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we do not agree with or support many of the doctrines or practices of the charismatic movement. We believe that the gifts of apostleship, prophecy, tongues, and miracle-working (miracles performed directly through men) were energized by God only during the foundation stage of the church (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 14:20-22; 2 Corinthians 12:12). The God-given purposes of the gifts have been fulfilled, and we now appreciate these gifts by recognizing God's provision for us through the past use of the gifts. God does energize other gifts today such as the gifts of leading, serving, teaching, and helping. Christians must be good stewards of their gifts by using them to build up other believers in the local church. For more information, see our Doctrinal Statement for Teaching and Shepherding.

Our church is led by our elders. We believe this follows the pattern of church government described in the New Testament. Our elders work as a pastoral team and agree before decisions are made. There is no time limit to the service of our elders.

We believe God's Word teaches that women have many vital functions in the local church, but that the office of overseer/pastor/elder is to be reserved for men. This is based on teaching found in 1 Timothy 2:9-15, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.

While we do not have an official translation for our church, the preaching is from the Legacy Standard Bible. We have several reasons for preferring the LSB for our preaching. First, it is a literal, word-for-word translation. The translators have tried to stay as close to the original manuscripts as possible. Second, it maintains important biblical and theological words (such as "propitiation") which are necessary to accurately convey the meaning of the original text. Third, we appreciate that it renders God’s covenant name as Yahweh rather than LORD as in most other translations, since Yahweh is literally His Name (see more at lsbible.org). Fourth, it is an appropriate translation for all ages. It is understandable for children, yet useful for deeper study for older individuals.

You don't need to have an LSB to follow along with the teaching at Gospel Hope. However, it would probably be most helpful to you to have a literal translation (such as the New American Standard, ESV, or New King James) rather than a paraphrase (such as The Message or The New Living Translation). LSB Bibles will be provided for your use each Sunday.