Denominational Issues
Denominational Issues
Contact numbers:
612-866-4055 Main office and extensions
612-866-8226 Fax
Submit questions to our leadership board.
Participate in the Discussion!
- Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Events Room
- Sunday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Events Room
- Monday, June 4 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel
- Tuesday, June 5 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel
- Thursday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel
Please review this information and plan to participate in one of our Town Hall Meetings.
Wednesday, May 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Events Room
Sunday, June 3 at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Events Room
Traditional Worship
Our early service starts at 8:45 a.m. This service is led by organ and choir music.
Connection Hour
From 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. is set aside each Sunday for educational programming for all ages.
Contemporary Worship
Our 11:00 a.m. worship hour is led by a contemporary praise band and features a more up-tempo worship style.
The Well
Gather for informal worship at The Well each Sunday evening at 6:30 p.m.
Hope’s Denominational Discernment
Since its founding in 1954, Hope Church has been a Christ-centered and biblically-based evangelical church. Because Hope Church has been a strong voice for biblical orthodoxy, we have repeatedly found ourselves at odds with many positions taken by our presbytery (the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area) and denomination (the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)). The theological divisions are growing wider and more entrenched. With the advent of a new Presbyterian denomination in January 2012, Hope’s session began to consider seeking dismissal from the PC(U.S.A.) to a new denominational home where Hope Church can thrive as a congregation “centered in Christ, sent in his love.”
Communications and Resources on Denominational Issues
Letter to the Congregation (May 21, 2012)
"What Hope Church Needs in a Denominational Home" (Adopted by the session on May 17, 2012)
"Why a Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) Would Better Serve Hope Church as a Denominational Home." (Adopted by the session on May 17, 2012)
Session Resolution (Approved by the session on May 17, 2012)
Hope Alive Denominational Update (March 2012)
Learn more about The Fellowship of Presbyterians
Learn more about A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO)
Video Introduction to The Fellowship of Presbyterians and ECO
Contact
If you have questions or comments for the session at anytime during this discernment process please click here to fill out the “ask the session” form.
Quick Overview
About The Fellowship of Presbyterians
The Fellowship of Presbyterians began in January 2011 as a conversation between seven PC(U.S.A.) pastors who wanted to find new ways to encourage each other in common faith, ministry, and mission. These pastors were concerned about the health of the PC(U.S.A.) as a denomination, where membership has dropped steadily over 40 years and ongoing disputes over theology and bureaucracy create a culture of contention more than vitality. They talked of reclaiming a covenanted biblical community, where unity is derived from a shared mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ, not from structural affiliation, and where young leaders are nurtured to speak the gospel into a rapidly-changing world. The pastors issued a nationwide call to others of like mind who envisioned a new future for congregations to connect and grow while sharing a Presbyterian, Reformed, Evangelical heritage.
About A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO)
ECO is a new Reformed, Presbyterian denomination that was formed in January 2012. ECO invites followers of Jesus who share a Reformed, Presbyterian heritage to reclaim a sense of covenanted biblical community. ECO exists to serve the local church and nurture leaders so that the Kingdom of God expands. As an expression of The Fellowship of Presbyterians, ECO seeks to serve the ministry and mission of Christ’s Church. The name represents a three-fold commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ (Evangelical), connect leaders through accountable biblical relationships founded in God’s grace (Covenant), and commit to a shared way of life together (Order). The acronym ECO also speaks to the commitment to strengthen the “ecosystems” of local churches, providing the resources needed to grow, thrive, and reproduce.
The mission of the Fellowship of Presbyterians and ECO is to build flourishing churches that make disciples of Jesus Christ.