What is a “Vineyard” Church?
On one hand you could say Vineyard churches are like most Christian Churches, on the other hand you could say it is ‘church like you haven’t seen it before!’
Vineyard churches are based on the same beliefs as the more traditional churches, however, we like to ‘do church’ in a way that makes sense in our current culture. Our music tends to be new and fresh (and sometimes loud!) We prefer to relate in a relaxed and simple way. We want to be a community in the same way Jesus established community with His disciples and that continued to develop in the early Church of the New Testament. We also place a huge value on being ‘real’ with one another, and look for God to do very real and supernatural works among us.
Our History
The Vineyard Movement began with just a few churches in America some twenty years ago. It has now grown to include more than 1200 churches in 65 different countries throughout the world. The Vineyard Australia was established in the mid-nineties and YVV was one of the first Vineyard churches in Australia. If you would like more information about Vineyard churches in Australia please follow this link.
What We Believe
Please download our full Doctrinal Statement
Distinctives
The Church as the body of Christ is diverse and varied, yet each part has its role to play in reflecting Jesus to the wider world. As part of Vineyard Churches, we have a set of distinctives which help define who we are, our personality, and our place within the broader Church.
Everyone gets to play
In the Vineyard, everyone is given the gifts, skills and calling to serve God. We believe that anyone can do the work of the Kingdom – we are all commissioned.
The Main and the Plain
Our experience of the Kingdom of God is rooted in the words and works of Jesus. We teach the Bible, and the main and plain of the Kingdom.
The Now and the Not Yet
God’s Kingdom is here – it is NOW. It is also not fully here – it is NOT YET. That means we have a theology both for signs and wonders, and for suffering.
Come as you are – but don’t stay as you are
You’ll be loved no matter what state you are in when you come to the Vineyard. We also believe that Jesus can change us, so we say “Yes”.
Naturally Supernatural
God has been working miracles throughout human history, and still does today. As his people, we can walk in His power to bring His Kingdom. Going about our lives naturally, we pray for healing and miracles and listen to God’s voice in all circumstances.
Distinctives
Remember the poor
Core to Jesus’ ministry was caring for the poor, the lost, the outcast and the outsider – those who were needy in both the physical and spiritual. We want to continue this and serve the poor around us. We are all in need, in some way.
Faith is spelled ‘R-I-S-K’
John Wimber once said that faith is spelled “R-I-S-K”. We believe the call to be the Body of Christ involves getting outside of our comfort zones. Adventurous faith is welcome in the Vineyard.
“Come Holy Spirit”
This is our central prayer – “Come, Holy Spirit”. As Carol Wimber used to tell us, “There should never be a time in our gatherings together that we don’t invite the Holy Spirit.” We all need a constant filling of the Holy Spirit.
Worshippers of God and rescuers of people
We are given to express worship and compassion in every part of our lives. This is our expression of loving God and loving our neighbour.
Plant churches who plant churches
The very nature of the Gospel and the Church leads to reproduce kingdom outposts in the world – the planting of new churches. We want to spread the good news far and wide, creating new churches as we go.
Equipping the saints
We will continually invest ourselves in training and equipping God’s people to do what Jesus did, equipping the saints for ministry – Ephesians 4:12
