The Heart of Renewal
The Heart of Renewal
After the sudden departure of our founding pastor in late September, it became clear that God was calling us into a season of renewal. This page outlines that renewal process and how, together, we can partner with Jesus and one another to make 2026 a year of deep transformation for our church and our life together.
We believe that renewal begins with the heart. At Hope Fellowship, renewal is not about fixing a program or reacting to a moment - it’s about returning to what matters most: Jesus, spiritual health, and faithful presence. Throughout Scripture, renewal happens when God’s people pause, listen, repent where needed, and realign their lives with God’s purposes.
This season of renewal is rooted in prayer, humility, and trust that God is actively at work among us. We believe God renews His church not by pressure or performance, but by forming people who are deeply rooted, spiritually mature, and shaped by the way of Jesus.
Our desire is not simply to move forward, but to move forward together, with clarity, unity, and hope.
We believe that renewal begins with the heart. At Hope Fellowship, renewal is not about fixing a program or reacting to a moment - it’s about returning to what matters most: Jesus, spiritual health, and faithful presence. Throughout Scripture, renewal happens when God’s people pause, listen, repent where needed, and realign their lives with God’s purposes.
This season of renewal is rooted in prayer, humility, and trust that God is actively at work among us. We believe God renews His church not by pressure or performance, but by forming people who are deeply rooted, spiritually mature, and shaped by the way of Jesus.
Our desire is not simply to move forward, but to move forward together, with clarity, unity, and hope.
- Co-Interim Lead Pastors Aaron & Angela, & Hope Fellowship Leadership
The Process of Renewal
The Process of Renewal
Renewal is intentional - and it takes time.
Our renewal process is focused on three interconnected areas: spiritual renewal, relational renewal, and organizational renewal. Each of these areas matters deeply, and together they shape the kind of church God is forming us to be.
As part of this season, the renewal process includes the following key components:
Our renewal process is focused on three interconnected areas: spiritual renewal, relational renewal, and organizational renewal. Each of these areas matters deeply, and together they shape the kind of church God is forming us to be.
As part of this season, the renewal process includes the following key components:
1. Vision & DNA Conversations
We are laying foundational clarity around who we are, what matters most, and the kind of church God is calling Hope Fellowship to be. These conversations help us reconnect with our shared story, name our values clearly, and align our future direction around a Jesus-centered vision.
2. Church-Wide Surveys & Cultural Work
In January, nearly 3,000 families participated in our All Church Survey. We're deeply grateful for your voices and are thoughtfully and prayerfully considering what you shared as we discern our next steps together.
3. Pastoral Search Process
As part of our renewal season, we have officially stepped into the Pastoral Search Process. Our Board is approaching this season with a commitment to discernment, prayer, and attentiveness to the Spirit as we seek what God has for Hope Fellowship.
4. Preparing for Future Leadership & Direction
Every conversation, every prayer, and every evaluation in this season is aimed at preparing Hope Fellowship for the future God has for us. This includes strengthening leadership pathways, clarifying roles, and ensuring we are aligned spiritually, relationally, and organizationally for what lies ahead.
5. Spiritual Vitality
True renewal always begins in the heart. At the center of this process is a renewed focus on spiritual life and formation. We are calling our church to:
Renewal is not something we simply manage - it’s something we receive as we remain faithful and open to God’s work among us.
- Prayer
- Deepening our walk with Jesus
- Leaning into opportunities for spiritual growth
- Gathering each weekend for corporate worship and edification
- Serving one another and serving our community
Renewal is not something we simply manage - it’s something we receive as we remain faithful and open to God’s work among us.
Stay Connected & Get Involved
Stay Connected & Get Involved
We commit to providing clear communication in this renewal process. Here’s a list of important resources & opportunities for you to stay connected and involved.
renewal Update videos
Watch to get an update on where we are in the Renewal Process.
Hope Fellowship dna
Learn about who we are, who we're becoming, and what we're committed to as a church.
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read the Bible in 2026 with Hope
Read through the entire Bible together as a Church.
Family Tree Message Series
Family Tree Message Series
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Updated April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We want to keep you informed and grounded during this season. Here are honest answers to the questions we're hearing most.
WHERE THINGS STAND
Where are we in the search for a new Lead Pastor?
We’ve been doing some work on making necessary changes to our leadership structure and bylaws, which has kept us from launching our search process. We are doing foundational work - clarifying/defining our leadership structure, defining how authority and accountability work, and forming a credible search team. The changes we are making to our authority and accountability structures are significant and better for the long-term health of the Lead Pastor and our church, but have taken diligent time and process to get it right. We want to be in a place where we can answer a strong candidate's questions about authority and accountability with clarity and confidence. We're not there yet, and we'd rather get it right than move fast.
What does the timeline look like?
March–May: Foundational work. Clarifying leadership structure, updating bylaws, defining accountability relationships, and finalizing search parameters.
June: Search begins. Discerning and evaluating candidates with a well-equipped team.
June: Search begins. Discerning and evaluating candidates with a well-equipped team.
WHAT WE'RE FIXING
What was wrong with how things were structured before?
The previous bylaws concentrated nearly all authority in the Senior Pastor, with very little formal accountability or checks and balances. The Board and Elders weren't always well-informed on governance matters, and meaningful accountability for the Lead Pastor was almost non-existent structurally. We're committed to fixing this - not just culturally, but structurally. We are building in real checks and balances into how the Board and Lead Pastor relate in the distribution of authority and accountability.
Does this mean the church is broken?
No. There's no financial crisis, attendance remains strong, and ministry is continuing. We hear stories of transformation and care every week. However, we do recognize we’ve had some unhealthy structures and we can be better and do better. What's happening now is honest, proactive work to build something healthier - not a response to a current-day emergency. Most churches of this size and age have governance gaps. These gaps have become more apparent to us in the past seven months since the abrupt departure of our former Lead Pastor. In addition, many healthy churches are better because they did this exact kind of structural reset. It feels uncomfortable, but it's a well-worn path.
WHY IT'S TAKING TIME
Why does the process feel slow?
Think of it like a home remodel. You have plans, contractors lined up - and then you open the walls and find outdated wiring, a load-bearing wall in the wrong place, and a foundation that needs reinforcing. Nobody planned to find that. But you can't frame a new room and hope it holds. You have to do the hidden work first - even when it feels like going backward. That's where we are. The infrastructure is stronger. The new room is still coming.
What's the risk of just moving quickly?
We could end up right back where we started. Without clear accountability structures, we'd essentially be hiring someone into the same broken system. Previous to the clarity that is emerging, a strong, healthy candidate would likely walk away once they saw we couldn't answer specific questions about authority, governance, or structure. The extra time of preparation protects the church in case of future crisis and promotes greater sustainability for the next pastor. This timeline also creates space so our next Lead Pastor won't walk into unhealthy comparisons to a long-tenured founding pastor — protection for this church, for the next pastor, and for all of us who love this place.
The search itself
What kind of Lead Pastor are we looking for?
Our all-church survey from Jan-Feb was clear that our church values a Pastor with a strong commitment to Biblical teaching, spiritual growth, and Hope Fellowship being a place of welcome and belonging.
A more detailed Lead Pastor role profile will be finalized in conjunction with the start of our Search process in June. We are committed to finding someone who welcomes accountability and collaboration, and has the gifts to discern and lead vision for the next five-plus years. We recognize the need for the next Lead Pastor to keep us centered on Jesus and help us go deeper theologically and spiritually.
A more detailed Lead Pastor role profile will be finalized in conjunction with the start of our Search process in June. We are committed to finding someone who welcomes accountability and collaboration, and has the gifts to discern and lead vision for the next five-plus years. We recognize the need for the next Lead Pastor to keep us centered on Jesus and help us go deeper theologically and spiritually.
Will the congregation have a voice?
Yes. Representative leaders from each campus will be involved in the search process alongside Board and Elder representation. We'll also be hosting campus specific town hall meetings in May to keep people informed and to invite prayer for the process and the next leader.
Could someone already on staff become the next Lead Pastor?
The process is being designed with integrity and openness. Internal candidates are welcome to apply alongside external ones.
Is anyone helping us with this process?
We have been working with an outside group since November called Lead from Transformation (LFT). They are a church health and consulting organization guiding our leadership and Board through the process of these leadership, structure, and culture changes along with the pastoral search design. Outside expertise helps make the process professional, fair, and less susceptible to our internal blind spots.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Reach out to us!
The best step is to bring questions directly to an Interim Lead Pastor, Elder, or Board member. Our leadership wants to be transparent, and asking directly gives them the chance to either answer or honestly acknowledge what they don't know yet. You can email Leadership at leadership@hopefellowship.net.
And however you're feeling in this season - uncertain, hopeful, impatient, or at peace - we'd love for you to pray with us for wisdom, clarity, and the right leader for what's next.
And however you're feeling in this season - uncertain, hopeful, impatient, or at peace - we'd love for you to pray with us for wisdom, clarity, and the right leader for what's next.