AUGUST 28, 2022

AUGUST 21, 2022

AUGUST 14, 2022

As we make our way through this transition, we want to lead with transparency and answer any questions you may have.

In the video below, Pastor Chip Riggs and a member of our Stewardship Team, John Myers explain the process we’ve walked through this summer and how God has led us to this exciting time as a church.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What brought about this transition in leadership?

Question 1

In December 2021, Travis Ogle, our Senior Lead Pastor, shared this statement with our church family:

“I feel a responsibility to see our church walk through this leadership transition and on the other side experience the bright future God has for us.”

On the weekend of August 14, 2022, Pastor Travis shared the Lord has made it clear the role he accepted in December 2021 was only for the season of transition that followed Pastor Vance Pitman’s resignation as Senior Pastor. As a result, Pastor Travis will be stepping down from his role at Hope Church to pursue a new ministry opportunity.

As we send Pastor Travis and Shar to serve with the North American Mission Board, what are we sending them to do?

Question 2

As Executive Vice President of Send Network, serving alongside Pastor Vance, Pastor Travis will play a strategic role within Send Network in mobilizing churches and developing church planters.

Will Pastor Travis and his family remain connected to Hope Church?

Question 3

Yes. Pastor Travis and Shar plan to remain members of Hope Church and residents of the Las Vegas Valley. Their desire is to continue serving, connecting and being on mission through Hope Church as active members. 

Who will lead Hope Church moving forward?

Question 4

Since Hope Church was started, we have been led by a plurality of Pastors who walk together in Christ-like submission with a Stewardship Team for accountability, wisdom, and counsel.  This leadership model has evolved over the years, but the team leadership has been consistent since the very beginning.  Moving forward, the same shared leadership model will remain in place, but will look different.  Pastor Scott Worthington will serve as the leader among the Lead Team of Pastors, and will be Hope Church’s new Senior Pastor.  After 15 years of serving in this ministry at every level, God has raised up Pastor Scott for such a time as this.  Our entire Lead Team of Pastors and Stewardship Team have heard from God together and unanimously affirmed this role for Scott.  Pastor Scott will lead our Lead Team of Pastors, currently including Pastors Scott, Tom, Teddy, Patrick, Edward and Chip, who will provide visionary direction, spiritual oversight and leadership through preaching for the accomplishment of the mission. 

How does Hope Church make decisions about the future during leadership transitions?

Question 5

Hope Church is led by a plurality of Pastors who walk together in Christ-like submission with a Stewardship Team for accountability, wisdom, and counsel.  Decision making at Hope Church involves the Lead Team and Stewardship Team hearing from God together in one accord.  This has been our leadership model and decision-making model since we began as a church family.  In response to Pastor Travis’s transition, our Lead Team and Stewardship Team and their wives sought the Lord together and are unified in our decision to affirm Pastor Scott as the Senior Pastor leading through the Lead Team of Pastors to provide visionary direction, spiritual oversight, and leadership through preaching for the accomplishment of the mission. 

 

Does this transition change the vision and mission of Hope Church?

Question 6

It does not!  Hope Church will continue forward in our mission of connecting people to live the life of a Jesus follower.  We believe God has raised us up to be a launching pad to the nations from the platform He has established in Las Vegas.  Our doctrine, values, and ministry strategies will remain the same as we move forward together on mission.  Pastor Scott, as our new Senior Pastor, embodies our DNA as a church and believes strongly in our mission as a church.

What happens to the Directional Team?

Question 7

With every new leader, there is a need to adjust the leadership structure around him or her to fit their specific needs.  As God has called Pastor Scott as our Senior Pastor, the needs for leadership structure around him has changed.  With Pastor Travis, the need was for a Directional Team of Pastors who would be a subset of the Lead Team and provide operational decision making and leadership through preaching.  This was primarily because Pastor Travis was our senior leader but was not our primary communicator.  Pastor Scott will be our senior leader and is also our primary communicator, along with many other gifted teaching pastors.  So, in analyzing the best possible leadership structure to fit his leadership needs, it was decided that the entire Lead Team of Pastors would provide visionary direction, spiritual oversight, and leadership through preaching for the overall ministry of Hope Church.

Two additional teams will make up a subset of our Pastors and will serve specific functions for our church: the Executive Team, comprised of Pastor Scott as our Senior Pastor, Pastor Chip as Executive Pastor of Ministries, and Morne Moritz as Executive Director of Operations, will provide operational decision making and strategic leadership; and the Teaching Team, led by Pastor Edward and including Pastors Scott, Vance, Jeff, Ricky, Tom, and Trenton, will continue to provide invaluable help with study and content for the preaching ministry of Hope Church.

Because of this, the Directional Team is now absorbed within the Lead Team of Pastors with continuity for our conviction that the church is led by a plurality of pastors.

If I have other questions, what is the best way for me to seek clarity?

Question 8

We are happy to address additional questions you may have.  Please submit your questions through the form below, and one of our pastors will respond as soon as possible. You can also email us directly: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

What can I do to help?

Question 9

• The first way you can help is by being spiritually alert and diligent in your walk with Jesus. Rest assured, the enemy hates what is taking place at Hope Church (“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9). The enemy wants to divide and discourage God’s people any way he can, and transitions are a prime opportunity to do so. We should expect spiritual attacks and be very sensitive to our words and relationships during this time. If there is an offense, a misunderstanding, or a problem, do your very best to make it right immediately (“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18).

• The second way you can help is by proactively fueling unity with our church family. Whether it is providing support, clarity, or connection for others, this is a moment to pursue unity as the body of Christ (“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3).

What is a timeline for Pastor Travis at Hope?

Question 10

Pastor Travis is finishing well in his role at Hope! Pastor Scott and the Lead Team of pastors have worked with Travis to develop several milestones that have served as markers for him completing his time as a pastor here at Hope. Based on those milestones, Pastor Travis’s day-to-day responsibilities will conclude at the end of August. Having said that, there are several items that Pastor Scott and the pastoral team will be working with Pastor Travis on throughout the remainder of 2022.

If I desire to send Pastor Travis and Shar a note of encouragement for their faithful service at Hope Church, can I do that?

Question 11

Absolutely!  Please send your note to [email protected].