Mission, Values, Statement
When Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom of God, He was preaching a relevant message. It was what people needed in their lives. We believe that it is our job to do what Jesus did in a way that is culturally relevant in our world today.
Our Mission
When Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom of God, He was preaching a relevant message. It was what people needed in their lives. We believe that it is our job to do what Jesus did in a way that is culturally relevant in our world today.
Our Values
The Kingdom of God
The theology and practice of the Kingdom of God is the foundation of our values. We firmly believe that the Kingdom of God was inaugurated by Jesus (Luke 17:21; Colossians 1:13) and that the fulness of His Kingdom is still coming (Revelation 20). That’s why we use the phrase “now and not yet” for the Kingdom of God.
Since Jesus brought us into His Kingdom we get to practice the things of the Kingdom! This includes proclaiming the Gospel, healing (physical, emotional, and psychological), practicing justice, and freeing those who are held captive by evil.
Partnering with the Holy Spirit
Before Jesus began His ministry, He was baptized and “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 3). The Holy Spirit led Him into the desert and Jesus returned “in the power of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4). In other words, Jesus partnered with the Holy Spirit by following His lead, being filled and empowered by Him, and fulfilling His (Jesus’) life’s purpose.
It’s exactly the same for us. God wants us to partner with His Holy Spirit. God has given you unique gifts & talents to be used. If we partner with the Holy Spirit He’ll empower and lead us to use those gifts & talents and move towards fulfilling our purpose!
Experiencing and Worshiping God
Believe it or not, Jesus also worshipped God. (Matthew 26:30, Psalm 22:22). The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3). Worship (the singing of songs to God) is very important to the personal experience of God’s presence. God desires to be present with us. Think about that…He wants to be with you. This is why worship is so important to us at the Vineyard. Worship is one of the primary ways that our relationship with God is nurtured.
A Reconciling Community
Jesus’ entire ministry was built on reconciliation. Reconciliation simply means fixing broken relationships. At The Vineyard Church, it’s our mission to partner with Jesus and His mission. We aim to reconcile people back to God and each other. This means bringing people to Jesus for the first time, bringing those who have wandered back to Him, and helping to heal broken relationships among friends, family, spouses, and, yes, even between people that have been hurt by the church.
Everyone is on a Journey
Everyone is on a spiritual journey. It doesn’t matter where you are on your journey, at The Vineyard Church, you’ll be accepted. We don’t have tight boundaries of theology or behavior that define our community. All we do is pursue Jesus and spiritual wholeness together by being imitators of Him.
Liberty, not Legalism
Naturally, we prefer liberty to legalism. In fact, legalism is antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:16, 17, Galatians 1:6-10; 2:21) Throughout the Gospels Jesus is shown as someone goes against legalism. Hanging out with sinners and tax collectors, feasting and drinking…He was the life of the party! But, more than that, Jesus promised that His teachings are “easy” and “light”. Having lots of rules isn’t easy or light. It’s stressful. It causes anxiety. It alienates. It robs us of the joy and happiness that God wants us to have in life! The rules of the Kingdom are simple: Love God with everything you have and love people.
Compassionate Ministry
Compassionate ministry is at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Many times Jesus was moved with compassion for people. If you and I are going to do what Jesus did, then we have to reach out to the lost, rejected, poor, hungry, and the outsider.
Our Statement
WE BELIEVE that there is ONE LIVING and TRUE GOD, eternally existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, equal on power and glory; that this triune God created all, upholds all, and governs all.
WE BELIEVE the SCRIPTURES of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired, without error in the original manuscripts, and the infallible rule of faith and practice.
WE BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER, an infinite, personal Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love; that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men that He hears and answers prayer; and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, God’s only begotten son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles and teachings, His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people and personal, visible return to earth.
WE BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify and empower for ministry all who believe in Christ; we believe the Holy Spirit indwells in every believer in Jesus Christ and that He is an abiding Helper, Teacher, and Guide. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit and in the exercise of all biblical gifts of the Spirit.
WE BELIEVE that all MEN are sinners by nature and choice and are therefore under condemnation; that GOD regenerates by the Holy Lord; that Jesus Christ baptizes the seeking believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service, often subsequent to regeneration.
WE BELIEVE in the universal CHURCH, the living spiritual body, of which Christ is the Head and all regenerated persons are members.
WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus Christ committed two ORDINANCES to the Church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We believe in baptism by immersion and communion of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit or healing.
WE BELIEVE in the personal visible RETURN OF CHRIST to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom; in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment and external blessing of the righteous and endless suffering of the wicked.
WE BELIEVE that the BIBLE in its entirety is the inspired word of God and that its writings are eternal truths that are to be experienced and practices by believers for all time.
