Distinctives

The Church as the body of Christ is diverse and varied, yet each part has its role to play in reflecting Jesus to the wider world.  The Vineyard Church has a set of distinctives which define our character and our place in the broader Church. These show our personality as a family of churches and inform the way we do things.

Everyone gets to play

In the Vineyard, everyone is given the gifts, skills and calling to serve God.  We believe that anyone can do the work of the Kingdom – we are all commissioned.

The Main and the Plain

Our experience of the Kingdom of God is rooted in the words and works of Jesus.  We teach the Bible, and the main and plain of the Kingdom.

The Now and the Not Yet

God’s Kingdom is here – it is NOW.  It is also not fully here – it is NOT YET.   That means we have a theology both for signs and wonders, and for suffering.

Come as you are – but don’t stay as you are

You’ll be loved no matter what state you are in when you come to the Vineyard.  We also believe that Jesus can change us, so we say “Yes”.

Naturally Supernatural

God has been working miracles throughout human history, and still does today. As his people, we can walk in His power to bring His Kingdom.  Going about our lives naturally, we pray for healing and miracles and listen to God’s voice in all circumstances.

Remember the poor

Core to Jesus’ ministry was caring for the poor, the lost, the outcast and the outsider – those who were needy in both the physical and spiritual. We want to continue this and serve the poor around us.  We are all in need, in some way.

Faith is spelled ‘R-I-S-K’

John Wimber once said that faith is spelled “R-I-S-K”.  We believe the call to be the Body of Christ involves getting outside of our comfort zones.  Adventurous faith is welcome in the Vineyard.

“Come Holy Spirit”

This is our central prayer – “Come, Holy Spirit”.   As Carol Wimber used to tell us, “There should never be a time in our gatherings together that we don’t invite the Holy Spirit.”  We all need a constant filling of the Holy Spirit.

Worshippers of God and rescuers of people

We are given to express worship and compassion in every part of our lives.  This is our expression of loving God and loving our neighbour.

Plant churches who plant churches

The very nature of the Gospel and the Church leads to reproduce kingdom outposts in the world – the planting of new churches.  We want to spread the good news far and wide, creating new churches as we go.

Equipping the saints

We will continually invest ourselves in training and equipping God’s people to do what Jesus did, equipping the saints for ministry – Ephesians 4:12