Last year at this time I had a revelation of some things that had been lurking in the back of my mind. At a prayer conference no less!! Phylis Tickle, gave a lecture called the Rose in which she details the history of the church as it relates to the 'emergent church' movement. History evolved like a spiralling mass, heading toward a blurry center, where all the lines got mixed up, all the traditions began to blend, all the theologies mixed. I am a vineyard pastor, I have been part of the movement for years and suddenly I realized why!
Now this is going to sound entirely optimistic, and overzealous, but the Vineyard I believe is strategically placed to be able to give input into this new 'emerging' church movement. Today we have 1000's of people leaving the church to experiment, to do their own thing, house church, community. The regular Sunday church just doesn't cut it for them. Post modern thought, main stream media, technology, cultural shifts have battered the traditional church, shifting its very foundation. Here I believe is where the vineyard fits and needs to speak loudly:
1. TRADITIONALLY non-TRADITIONAL- the vineyard was a hippie movement from California, but it went much deeper than simply wearing jeans and preaching from a stool. The Vineyard is about seeking to be culturally relevant. This is not about catering to a culture, but using culture as a platform to incarnate the gospel. It is not about giving up on the church, but on forms.
2. GIVING IT AWAY- Over and over I have heard how a Vineyard pastor or person has befriended someone, given something that was over the top great. This is a fundamental attitude. John Wimber traveled the world doing conferences for the greater global church. He wanted to gift the whole church with his understanding, and ministry. We need to understand that we still play a role here. Let's 'give it away.'
3. APPRENTICESHIP- It has never been about a leader doing it. It has always been about....you do it. Let me show you, now your turn, once you get the hang of it then you do it. This is the heart of discipleship. It is beautiful when it works. I have seen the most insecure leaders, walk in confidence because they didn't walk alone. An old vineyard addage has been 'if someone wants to learn, ask them to come and be with you. Don't give them a title. Train them by life.. I believe the Vineyard plays a key role in helping a new generation of leaders learn to do the stuff. Community living and local living makes this type of close life modelling possible, and probable again.
Now this is going to sound entirely optimistic, and overzealous, but the Vineyard I believe is strategically placed to be able to give input into this new 'emerging' church movement. Today we have 1000's of people leaving the church to experiment, to do their own thing, house church, community. The regular Sunday church just doesn't cut it for them. Post modern thought, main stream media, technology, cultural shifts have battered the traditional church, shifting its very foundation. Here I believe is where the vineyard fits and needs to speak loudly:
1. TRADITIONALLY non-TRADITIONAL- the vineyard was a hippie movement from California, but it went much deeper than simply wearing jeans and preaching from a stool. The Vineyard is about seeking to be culturally relevant. This is not about catering to a culture, but using culture as a platform to incarnate the gospel. It is not about giving up on the church, but on forms.
2. GIVING IT AWAY- Over and over I have heard how a Vineyard pastor or person has befriended someone, given something that was over the top great. This is a fundamental attitude. John Wimber traveled the world doing conferences for the greater global church. He wanted to gift the whole church with his understanding, and ministry. We need to understand that we still play a role here. Let's 'give it away.'
3. APPRENTICESHIP- It has never been about a leader doing it. It has always been about....you do it. Let me show you, now your turn, once you get the hang of it then you do it. This is the heart of discipleship. It is beautiful when it works. I have seen the most insecure leaders, walk in confidence because they didn't walk alone. An old vineyard addage has been 'if someone wants to learn, ask them to come and be with you. Don't give them a title. Train them by life.. I believe the Vineyard plays a key role in helping a new generation of leaders learn to do the stuff. Community living and local living makes this type of close life modelling possible, and probable again.
4.Kingdom- what can we say....god is at work now. Let's join in. Let's wait on the Holy Spirit, let's call on the Holy Spirit. 'Come Holy Spirit', is not simply a mantra, something that makes ministry times 'work.' It is an invitation, to show us where to go. We were never supposed to wait, to wonder, 'where is God?' We were supposed to walk into the things He was about.
Am I hopeful about the Vineyard? Hmmmmm, I really love it, I love what God is offering to me as part of it. How deep is the Love of God, How rich His mercy on us all. I am probably happiest that he hasn't just left us.
