VRC Recap

Psalm 16:5
O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup. You maintain my lot.

Vineyard Recovery Church 

Mission Statement

"Following In His Steps"

Last night was our 25th meeting for Vineyard Recovery Church.

IN some ways, it seems like we've been doing if for a lot longer than 25.....
IN other ways, it seems like we've just begun.

God has been true to His word. He is building this meeting week by week and the call to me is to stay out of the way. To merely cooperate with what He is wanting to do.

Last night was no exception.

Since we are learning and growing into a family for the Kingdom, I felt it was important that we truly get to know each other. So, we've been telling our life story. From time to time, I ask certain people who have truly bought into VRC  to share their story. Of course, being a recovery church, some of the stories are not the norm, or those you might hear in a traditional church service. We're not here to glorify the destruction and misery that sin brings to every life, but rather point to the fact that if not for Jesus, we'd be a hopeless mess. 

Barry Hooks shared his journey last night. I will be posting his story here for you to listen to sometimes next week here on this blog. As they use to say on TV....."Stay tuned!"

The one common denominator we keep hearing from people is that VRC is unlike any church they have ever attended, which I think is a testimony to what God is doing.

It's not that we've tried to create something different. It is merely a by product of the model we were given when we first came to the Vineyard. I wanted VRC to be a safe place where people could receive from God. We have no grand view of ourselves or what we are trying to do. We know full well that we are dealing with people who, for the most part, have never been to church. And if they did go, they just could not relate to what was happening. We have always felt that if it didn't look like what most people thought church should look like.......and it didn't sound like what most traditional churches sounded like......then it would be very easy to share the good news about the Kingdom of God. 

VRC is merely an entry point into the greater body of Christ. We know that and we accept our position and call to those who show up on Saturday night. We do not want to water down the gospel or paint a picture of a life of ease for those who accept Christ. Nor do we wish to be "Suffering Servants" for the Lord, measuring our salvation by the droop of the frown on our faces. We want everyone to know that recovery is possible and that this thing we refer to as recovery is larger than merely the absence of alcohol or drugs. It takes you into a new way of living. It connects you with a family you did not know you had. It gives purpose to your day and your steps as you move forward in life.

Life is hard....but there is joy in Christ and in recovery.

Life is difficult....but there is direction and purpose in Christ and recovery.

Truth be known...life is hard whether you sober or whether your drunk and high.
It's just a lot harder without Jesus.

God on you.....

mb