Hope Community Church
based on 21 reviews
Mon - Fri 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Sun 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Sat 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Category: Religion
Tags:
church, worship, christian, caring, meeting place, coffee shop, wifi, opportunity, hope community church, hope community church raleigh, hope, mike lee, raleigh, mega church, carnal, worldly, apostate
I am the owner of this business
Accepts Credit Cards: yes
Parking: Private Lot
Wheelchair Accessible: yes
21 reviews for Hope Community Church
Anyone that has been around this group for any length of time can see that the money does flow in - AND STAYS THERE. This link will take you to the 2012 budget (http://www.gethope.net/church-finances) which shows they will bring in $9.5M and spend $8.7M on themselves. 54% or a crisp $5.1M goes directly to pay the staff. Chew on that for a minute...5 MILLION DOLLARS of the donations people give go to the salaries and benefits of Mike Lee's staff! Not that they would ever make it public, but I'd bet Mike and Laura Lee are stashing back a fair chunk of change, not to mention they also travel on the congregations dime. I'd bet Mike charges his vehicle lease to Hope CC too but that's just a bet. And how about his personal body guard? When was the last time you heard of a local Pastor that has (or even needed) his own personal body guard?? Dave Patchin (Mike's right hand crony) is another one that's knocking back some cash. What a little "yes man" toad that guy is. Anyway, it's a racket folks; pure and simple. They'll tell you how much the are doing for the local and global community but the reality is they are pocketing way more for themselves than they ever give away. Go to the link above if you want to call BS on me. It's their budget, not mine.
I attended HCC for several years. I do believe Pastor Mike's heart is in the right place regarding Missions but the entire time i attended the church, i never heard one heartfelt prayer of salvation, and only one mention of a politically-incorrect topic. I understand they dont want to offend, however, some of us have a real yearning inour hearts for a verse by verse, literal sermon that does not avoid hot topics but faces them head on. I also never heard him preach on prophecy which is so important in these last days. The holy spirit opened my eyes and now i truly believe this church has become an apostate latter-days church, as have so many others who are trying to be seeker friendly but at jthe same time are not delivering the message of salvation that is so important. I specifically recall an Easter service where the message was so off topic and there was no call for salvation. I left there feeling sad in my spirit. After trying so many churches in the Cary area, i made a decision to aviod seeker friendly and relevant teachings. I am so thankful that God led me to Christ Calvary in Apex. There are people there from every walk of life, age and race who worship together as brotjers and sisters in Christ. I have only been twice but have already met some really wonderful people whereas when i attended Hope, i found it extremely hard to make any real friendships. Hope really needs to bring the fire of the message back into the pulpit and do away with the scripted, themed presentations that are geared more toward entertainment and delivering an experience.
If you want to try another church by any chance, I happen to go to an awesome one in Cary, Landmark Freewill Baptist with Pastor Nate Ange...you will definitely get fed there :) Its nice to hear that you are hungry for God's Word. Its a much smaller church than Hope, but God is definitely present in this church and we are diversified as well! Kristen.
This church is not for everyone, but what church is? The sermons are definitely Bible based and never watered down. (Unless you call a bit of self-deprecating humor from the pastor 'watering down") My wife and I are thoroughly challenged and fed spiritually each and every week we attend. I travel a lot and I love being able to catch up on the messages online. Tithing is encouraged that is biblical, but Hope does not pass an offering plate; it places no pressure on the congregation to publicly give. That is biblically sound as well. People leave their tithes and offerings in a box in the back or anonymously online.
Having been raised in a conservative Baptist church, I understand the desire of some for a more traditional church building and solemn atmosphere-I don’t necessarily miss it, but I understand it. I personally like the music at Hope-although sometimes I do long for some of the old traditional Hymns-especially if the band would rock those songs out! The messages are almost always spot-on biblically and relevant to today’s world.
Seriously? "NEVER watered down?? "SELF-DEPRECATING"?? Come on now. Mike makes fun of others (Facebook is for perverts, Fuquay is for idiots, the short buss is for retards, Chapel Hill is...you get the point) far more than he ever makes fun of himself. His messages are crafted to model the current rock star, tattooed, cigar smoking, "Hotty" culture - not challenge you to submit to the Holy Word of God. If he reads more than a paragraph in any one message that would be a record. As for the offering, check the online budget. They will take in $8M this year, but not to reachout and serve the community or missions, but to support a bloated staff that opperates like a corporation and to maintain Hope Country Club.
WOW,for being Christians many of you are not acting very Christ like! Hope is a wonderful church, which teaches the truth straight from the Bible! Sometimes it is ugly truth that makes people uncomfortable.
It looks like a school auditorium/movie theater for a reason...to make un-churched people feel comfortable and welcome, as that is the philosophy of the church to reach non-believers.
The pastors are most definitely available after each service to speak with anyone who chooses! Also I think it is awesome that pastor Mike has tatoos, I love that they are down to earth and so not hold themselves on a pedistal!
My children LOVE the children's ministry and learn each week something new (i know this because they tell me what they learn as well as receiving concrete information and daily activities for us to do at home during the week!) They do have play time and climbing structures, what is wrong with them having fun!
I was raised Catholic and learned nothing about the bible/a relationship with Christ. I was bored as a child and had to be drug to church. I am not putting down the Catholic church, just showing how every one is different in what they prefer etc. It is fine if Hope is not the church for you, but please don't throw out false information and judgement that may prevent someone from a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Amen!! I agree. Those people need to take there anger and hate elsewhere. Pastor Mike is awesome and so is Hope Community. People need to stop being soo sensitive!!
I found it a little wierd when I walked into front doors of "church" and saw a concession stand selling soda, coffee and cakes. Then the feeling was.....am I in a school? You will feel like you are at a school auditorium when you are cattled through the doors to listen to an overdone broadway production. And the kids like this church because they get to go into some romper room play areas and avoid the sermon. Religion is a touchy subject and I'm aware of that but this place was strange to say the least. If I want starbucks coffee I'll go to Starbucks. And if I want to see an off broadway production I'll go to New York City. But this church is run like a business and very clicky. And yes ALL churches need donations to pay bills but this place is for sheeple who have screwed up every where else and need to be accepted somewhere. It was'nt for me but if you like to drink the kool aid and lace up your nike's more power to you.
Maybe you shouldn't be going to church with your uptight attitude. The children are taught religion and when they get to middle school they do have a youth pastor. It is called Non-Denominational for a reason. If you want a church like the olden days, there are plenty of churches like that around here. Don't tell me you didn't know it was Non-Denom before going, because I won't believe you.
To Peter D: I'm sorry you feel that way about Hope. Having been raised in a conservative Baptist church, I understand the desire for a more traditional church building and solemn atmosphere-I don’t necessarily miss it, but I understand it. I personally like the music at Hope-although sometimes I do long for some of the old traditional Hymns-especially if the band would rock those songs out! The messages are almost always spot-on biblically and relevant to today’s world.
As for your comment "this place is for sheeple who have screwed up everywhere else and need to be accepted somewhere……………if you like to drink the kool aid and lace up your nike's more power to you. I’ll say this: " All are sinners and come short of the glory of God” -Christians and non-Christians alike. So, if you're trying to find a church without a bunch of 'screw-ups" I can promise you, it won't be found on this Earth…………….unless you drink copious amounts of Kool-Aid !
May God bless you and give you wisdom in finding a church where He wants you.
As far as churches go, I have done a lot of searching in my life. I had a very difficult time finding a church that I enjoyed and gained something by attending. However, each time I attend Hope I feel like I can't wait to go back. Like a good college lecture, I gain valuable knowledge that I feel like I can apply to my daily life. However, unlike a college lecture, this experience brings you closer with God, yourself, and others. I really value my time at Hope. Yes, it is a contemporary service and that may not be for everyone, but it offers those of us who had trouble fitting in traditional services a place to worship. :)
Hope brought me back to God and the real meaning of my religion. The world is all so interrelated, even in perceived diversity, and Hope recognizes that and embraces everyone, every person there is a child of God, and respected equally. I visited when they were only 100 or so people and to be honest i feel closer to the church now, i was afraid to be the outcast in the old church, i was scared to ask serious questions. The larger environment provides all the opportunities and smaller groups in addition to the base of the church. It provides nonjudgmental ways for you to follow, begin, explore, and even speculate your path with God, your able to do it in your own time and in your own way.
My wife and I were led to this church by a man that we both loved and is now gone but will never be forgotten. We both were baptized a number of years ago and accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior. We have traveled extensively due to my business but are settled in the area, hopefully, until our days on earth are done. We have had the opportunity to attend churches throughout the country and off shore. Each church body is unique and you feel more comfortable in some that you do others. Doesn't make one better that the other. We like Hope because we have learned more about Jesus and how we should try to live our lives in a little over a year than we did over many previous years. I have to admit, my first time at Hope was almost my last. The music was different. But you know what? I actually like the music now. I learned to appreciate the talent of the musicians and listened to the words they sing. It all makes sense now for some reason. We still feel new to the church and I think that is because we feel overwhelmed with all of the activities the church is involved with. That is OK. We arrive early, enjoy the coffee, watch people and hear the words we need.
I have been going to this church for a number of years and have watched it go through huge changes, not all for the best.
The pastors certainly have the gift of speaking, and the sermons are the best I have ever heard. And their outreach ministries (both foreign and local) are impressive.
But there are some changes I just don't get. The worship music is frequesntly over the top. I am all for contemporary Christian music, but sometimes it is so frantic that I expect to see a mosh pit in front of the stage. I also don't get why the project the members of the worship team on the screens during the songs. And in the "auditorium" they took down a beautiful copper cross and put up a light show - what's up with that?
There is definitely an inner circle that includes the staff. Some of the staff seem to consider themselves elevated above the rest of the crowd and come off as snobs. It's weird to see a middle-aged pastor show of his tatoos during a sermon.
It's a big church, and if you expect to see the pastor at the door after the service, it is not for you. Same goes if you don't like the small group concept.
They call themselves a seeker church, I feel they are using all these secular lures to get the heathens in.
But you know the saying - if you find a perfect church don't join it beauce you will ruin it.
It sounds like the church should go to Vegas. I am so GLAD!!! and Praise God every day that I got away from that church and found a very sound Bible believing church. What is said is that the people at Hope Community Church are so into themselves that they can't see straight.
Im so sorry that you had a bad experience at Hope but I will tell you that times arent like they used to be with boring music and boring lectures. This church has saved my marriage. By the way I have tattoos...does that make me a bad person? This church is doing GREAT things in the world. They accept ANYONE.
To ‘caggolfer’: Someone at Hope must have really ticked you off for you to be so bitter,nasty and judgmental. A good dose of Eph.4:29 & 5:1 would do us all some good …uh?
A very judgemental church. The leaders are politically selected on "how much money you have. It was suppose to be a Grace Brethren Church but they don't even practice the beliefs. Unless you want to go to a entertainment special every week and be snubbed and treated awful find somewhere else to go.
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FlecktoneFan
Ummm, if they post the budget on the website, which you kindly provided the link for, doesn't that at least attest to the church's transparency?
What you call 'spending on themselves" is actually operating expenses (mortgage, utlities,etc) and a church with almost 7000 members and 3 campuses to support, there is a LOT of operating expenses and employees support.
A church's employee compensation budget should average between 40% and 55% depending on size and current and future growth of the church.(e.g. a growing church will probably be at the top of the scale, whereas a stagnant church can afford to stay on the low end).
Hope is certainly large and no doubt growing and as with any business-non or for profit- a church must stay ahead of it's growth 'curve, otherwise it will outgrow it's resources and not be able to serve it's purpose .
From your post, it's obvious your problem with Hope is more personal than it is with it's transparent budget. That's fine, but readers who want a review of a house of worship should be spared your subjective, personal attacks on the staff and somewhat ignorant opinion of it's finances.
As for why Pastor Lee has a security guard? I don't know, but there is probably a good reason. Why not ask him yourself?
Hope is NOT for everyone, but everything that I've experienced there has been a blessing to me and obviously thousands of others.
I encourage people to try this church out and if you feel led to attend regularly,great. If not, fine and God Bless you in your search. If you have a gripe about the churches finances, ask for a meeting with that pastor, or an elder-who's board actually approves the budget. I'm sure they'll be happy to discuss it with you.
Steve Ca.
"But readers who want a review of a house of worship should be spared your subjective, personal attacks on the staff and somehwat ignorant opinion of it's finances."
I have no dog in this fight until I read that. We recently moved to Raleigh, and this is a review site and I as a reader looking for a church am more than able to discern when someone speaks from personal experience versus stating facts. It always bugs me when the opposing view wants to state their opinion, but have to silence others from saying how they feel. That's what a site like this is about; personal opinions. Then everyone who reads it can judge for themselves.
As for a pastor having a body guard, I'm from Tulsa where a local pastor was hit during a service and his response to the man moved hundreds of people. He never tried to hit him back, prayed for the man, and visitied him in jail. Billy Joe Daughrty was his name and he did not have a body guard. I'm pretty sure Paul and Jesus didnt have personal body guards, and Jesus gave very direct instruction in Mathew 5 about how to respond to an attack. So I don't think there are many men of God that could give me a "good reason" for having one.
Just my "personal" opinion (but then again I'm sure you'd want me to refrain from saying anyting too).
BCS
5 mil really is not that much for salaries IMO. If they employ 200 people, that is only an average of 25K for each person.
SwimNut
Jo B. is right on the finances and the focus on internal spending I believe that Mike Lee is a gifted speaker but he spends over budget like the government (Multiple $100Ks overspend on the Apex campus and needing a new acoustic system in Apex within 18 months of opening the doors to this campus. I know he makes a lot of fun of UNC but perhaps he could use a couple of Kenan-Flagler graduates to teach Hope fiscal responsibility. Mike Lee, however, is a great speaker when it comes to the Bible. He just needs to stick to his guns.
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