The Vineyard movement, birthed in the 1970s and influenced greatly by the leadership of John Wimber, has certain distinctives that define our personality in the wider Church and our unique way of doing life as Christians.
1. THE ALREADY AND NOT YET OF THE KINGDOM
In the Bible, Jesus sometimes talks about the Kingdom of God being here, and within our reach. People are healed. Lives are transformed. Signs and wonders occur. At other times, Jesus talks about the Kingdom as a future reality, as our hope beyond this life. People are not always healed in the present. Intractable social issues remain. Jobs are lost, hunger continues, and suffering is real.
Our theology of the already and not yet of the Kingdom enables us to believe God for miracles (a theology of the miraculous) and also trust God when pain is occurring (a theology of suffering). We believe that both are necessary for a healthy Christian spirituality.
2. EVERYONE GETS TO PLAY
We believe that anyone can do the work of the Kingdom. We don’t have an elite or superstar leaders. We are all commissioned—men, women and children of every background.
3. 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 believe that Jesus can love us all to health.
4. NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL
We avoid all hype or emotional manipulation. Going about our lives naturally, we pray for healing and listen for God’s voice in all circumstances.
5. 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.