why new hope church?
by JVS on Dec.28, 2008, under 2008, Sermons
OK. I need some help for next week Sunday’s message. As I mentioned at church this morning, I want to know why you find a connection with New Hope Church (assumming you do). What is it about this church that makes it relevant to you? Why are you a part of this community? If you could just post your response as a comment (or email it to me), it would be greatly appreciated.
Listen John’s message here
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why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30 2008 @ 11:57 AM PST
I’ve been to lots of churches over the years. I was born into the Anglican tradition. I’ve been to the Vineyard, and a nondenominational church that tried to bridge the gap between Christianity and the New Age movement. All of these communities had a different focus and flavour, and they were all good for me for a season. I believe that God creates communities and places for people within communities. For this season I believe God has created a place for me here – at New Hope. He has something for me to do here, and something for me to learn here. I’ve never been one of those people who worries too much about the denomination of a church. As Bono once told Oprah – “I don’t care whose name is on the house, as long as God is in the house.” (Or something like that). God is in the house here!
I’ve been working on this theory over the past few years that I like to call “Practical Mysticism”. My personal version is still full of holes, but the gist of it is that God manifests himself through people. We pray for the world to be a better place. God tells us to get up off our knees and give money to help out Inn From the Cold or Thandana or Ubuntu. He tells us to sign up as a volunteer, or stop to talk to that person who looks down, or be nice when you’re out driving on the winter roads. We somehow participate in making the world a better place. There is some sort of balance between experiencing God in that indescribable, vertical, mystical thinness, and living God as we interact with the world around us. New Hope is all about finding God and living God in everything we do – in short – ‘Practical Mysticism’.
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30 2008 @ 01:15 PM PST
Initially I came because my kids really liked it. Now I come because the vision here is what I think the vision of a church should be, it fits with who I am and how I think. I also stay because of the people, there are some amazing people here, thinkers, doers, encouragers, lovers – all giving the gifts and talents they have.
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30 2008 @ 02:03 PM PST
i love that families are working together at new hope – serving others and making church happen. kids handing out programs with their parents, stacking chairs, passing the collection baskets and helping out with kids younger than they are. awesome.
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, December 30 2008 @ 03:32 PM PST
As I’ve attended NHC my uderstanding of God has continued to grow. The idea of God being always present, always active in my life has awakened me to a whole new perspective of my daily routine. God cares about my job, family, even my hockey team…He not only cares but I sense his presence on those tough days, or whispering in my ear when decisions have to be made. You see, when I opened myself up to the possibility of God “doing stuff” all around me, every day of the week, it seems as though that not a week goes by where I don’t trip over God revealing himself in a way I never thought of before. It is not just a Sunday morning thing where I learn more about God any more. It is because of Sunday morning that I learn more about God and what he is doing in my life and life all around me every hour and every day of the week. And this is just my little, navel gazing life, my imagination is too small to take on what God does in this world fully and completely. So this is why New Hope is my church, to unlock more of the mystery, and to do this in a community of people who care and serve. C
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, December 31 2008 @ 07:36 AM PST
When I attend New Hope, I’m always excited to hear what Pastor John has to say. His inspirational words always lift my spirit and give me the hope that I need to get through another week of my life. Pastor John relates all things going on in the current world to God and gives me a new perspective on them. A pastor is a very important part of a church for me, as I crave encouragement and enlightenment and Pastor John always delivers. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 03 2009 @ 05:53 PM PST
Why NHC for me?
It is a place to see and feel and know and love and experience and believe in God without borders and without the requisite shame that came with the God of my youth. It is a place to be real about who I am …about what I think or feel or believe or wear. It is a safe place to wonder..to worship, to be disillusioned even. It is a place on a journey…like all of us…a little messed up like all of us…
It is (usually) a place I like to be. 
why new hope church?
Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, January 03 2009 @ 09:36 PM PST
It was march of last year that I attended the baptism of my friend and her children at New Hope Church. In addition during this time I was going through some emotional turmoil in trying to understand and grieve the death of my father. I really enjoyed the service and found New Hope a welcoming environment. I found comfort and a hopefulness for peace in understanding that death happens for a reason; to believe in a higher power. It helps that I do have friends attending this very church and attending feels “right” for me and my family. My family enjoys that Pastor John brings real life matters and relates it back to the scripture and what it means to believe in God. This church environment is not one that we have previously experienced and enjoy what New Hope has to offer. Thank You!
