Why We Are The Way We Are--Doo Dah!!!

Psalm 78:7
So each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering His glorious miracles, and obeying His commands.

In relation to other church denominations and movements, the Vineyard is a relatively new kid on the block. Started in the 70's in California,as a single church, I do not think those in leadership at the time ever saw themselves as becoming what the Vineyard is today.

As with every church movement, there is a spiritual DNA, hopefully planted in them by God, that defines who they are as a community of believers. It is this DNA that draws a particular type of believer to join and become a part.

The Vineyard Mission:
Is to participate in the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the work of our local community of believers that make up a Vineyard church. We want to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.

We believe such communication to a people yet to know Jesus, should be free from religious language. Such, especially in the South, usually causes a negative response. Jesus, in his teachings and interaction with others, spoke like the common man. Using examples that they could understand, to explain the dynamics of the Kingdom here, the Kingdom not yet. We desire to do the same.

What We Value:
We value THE PURSUIT OF GOD. We are hungry to know God's presence, hear His voice and follow hard after Him.
Psalm 63:1-3
O God, you are my God. I earnestly search for You. My whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself. How I praise You!

Our pursuit of God could best be described as our worship unto Him. Worship incorporates every aspect of our lives, as we become a reflection of God's work in us to world and people yet to know Him.

We are intent on becoming a "People" for God, rather than simply "Doing" for Him. While sharing our story with others is important, I see far too many who never become the people God desires all of us to be. You see, to me, if we become a people called by God, living for God...then the doing will come natural. It will not require a program or agenda. It will be simply what we do because of who we are. That is why worship is so important to me. It happens all around me and in me every day as I look to follow Jesus. But there are those incredible times when I get together with other followers and collectively offer our worship and praises to the one who makes all things possible.

We value Christlikness. We desire that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' love, mercy, grace, truth, purity, power, and integrity would shine through all that we are and all that we do.
Ephesians 5:1-2
Follow God's example in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.

This means that we have been given an example to live by in this world. This would also infer that to find and follow that example would necessitate the need to study scripture. Not for an intellectual pursuit of learning, but for a practical guide and example of how to live in this world as a follower of Jesus. 

Thanks for letting me share this morning...
More to follow.....

God on you...
mb

Bill Jackson, in his book QUEST FOR THE RADICAL MIDDLE: A History of the Vineyard, made the comment that you don't join the Vineyard, you just discover that what you have been all along.
So I'm just trying to give some language to what we found to be true for us.