What Happened? And How Did We Get This Way

I found this incredible video that kind of explains where we (the Vineyard Church) came from. As you watch the video, you may tell yourself that we, Vineyard ReCovery Church, is nothing like what you are seeing. Well, in some cases, that is true. It's not the outward appearance of how we do church, as much as it is the inward beliefs that define who we are.

You need to understand that the Vineyard was founded on (1.) Like values that we came to embrace...(2) Like priorities that we believed in....(3) and a like-minded theology that defined who we are.  John Wimber, the man who brought the Vineyard to the forefront in the 70's, was not real concerned with the structure of a Vineyard as much as he was the life of the church. How the Vineyard looked was near as important as what the Vineyard believed.

There were some things, views and concepts that we all gravitated toward because we saw the value of believing in them. But the culture-current attitude toward the dress, the music, the organization of the church was left to the local group of believers.  John wanted to create a church for the baby-boomers that spoke to them in a cultural way, without diluting the message of Christ. The gospel was not to be tampered with. As Wimber use to say..."The vehicle may change that delivers the message...but the message remains the same."

As a church, Vineyard ReCovery values the pursuit of God. Pursuit being the catch word. Relationship is something that is alive and active. It's not enough that we receive this incredible gift of salvation then sit down and wait for Jesus' return. There is a drawing that takes place in our hearts....a longing, if you will, to be with Him. Be with Him through the reading and studying of His word....
Be with Him in the interaction I have with others in my daily life, sharing my story of what Christ has done for me....By spending time in conversation with Him. At the same time, remembering that conversation is a two way event. So as much as I talk, I should also listen. Kind of a daily walking out of Step # 11.

So as you watch the video, you'll see that it looks kind of dated...it is.
You'll see the first steps from a church that was in search of life more that in search of structure. You'll see a church that never imagined it would become a world-wide community of like minded people whose desire to "Do the Stuff", as Wimber use to say, propelled them out into a culture who did not know Jesus.

So while I don't push the name VINEYARD like some believe I should. I do push Jesus who is the heart and soul of our church. I believe that we have the same call today, as a church, as when Jesus first spoke it in Matthew 11:5--"GO and tell John the things which you hear and see. The blind see and the lame walk. The lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear. The dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them."

Lives changed by the empowering presence of God.
A presence that enables all who receive Him to be who He created them to be...
and to do what He has called them to do.
Now that's some good stuff right there!

God on you...
mbb