Yorba Linda Vineyard

In 2009 I felt like the Lord speaking to me about Proverbs 29:18, “ Where there is no vision  [revelation] the people cast off restraint…” [NKJV]. I had been thinking and praying for the Vineyard Movement at this particular time and what began to stir within me was the question about the future of the Vineyard. More in particular I was asking myself the question, ‘what’s happening with the Movement and are we handing something off to the generations that follow us, where they will be willing to lay their lives down for it?’

As with anything God births; He also instills both mission and vision. The question now all these years later is, ’do the people of the Vineyard know what those are?’ I come across people all over the world who are wondering who is the Vineyard now and what are we after?  Of course every country is different, in fact, many of the states are different. However no matter the state or the country, and no matter the leader, we must ask ourselves the question, ‘what vision are we imparting’? And why is anyone wondering?

We have to realize there’s a great deal of difference between vision and mission. God said, ‘without vision, the people cast off restraint’. I believe there are many people who have a mission; they know what they have passion for; yet they don’t know the steps to walk it out, which is vision. The lack of vision produces much loss and frustration. It was many years ago when a great theologian [his name I cant recall] said,  “There are many people walking around with saved souls, but lost lives.”
 
If people don’t know where they come from, and who they are, most likely they don’t have a vision for their life. Misperceptions can have dangerous results. One of the main reason’s we don’t just give ourselves to whatever sounds or feels good in the moment is because we usually have a bigger vision for our life that’s more important. Therefore, we choose restraint.
 
This doesn’t just refer to sin, it also implies to direction. If the vision is confusing or not being imparted, people tend to hear messages from all sorts of different places, buying into whatever they hear because it sounds good at the time.  It can be similar to the time in Judges 21:25 where it states, ‘there was no king in the land, and therefore the people did whatever they wanted.’ Which in turn they made lousy decisions that took them down a road that wasn’t God’s best. We are made to be leaders with vision and to be led with vision. When left to our own to figure things out, it can leave us in a place of vulnerability.
  
I have been serving the Vineyard for over twenty years now. There are a few things in particular that have caught my attention. One is that since John’s passing many places I visit don’t know who John Wimber was or the things we have been anointed for. In fact I have come to realize that many people in the Vineyard aren’t even aware of our history or worse yet, they have the wrong information.  This really is sad to me because we’re a very young Movement.

As a Movement grows there are times where adjustments need to be made in order to keep the purity of the vision. In fact the reason why Carol wrote her book, “The Way it Was” is because at the time prior to Johns passing someone had come to him about a book they were writing about the Vineyard and John didn’t particularly like it, so he asked Carol to write a book. He told her to tell the people the way it really was. There are times to write the way things are.

Unless asked, I’ve never pointed out various things that have been inaccurate in the Vineyard Movement. In fact, Sean and I, although frustrated at times, have chosen not to.
 
Instead, we have chosen to spend our time to honor and safeguard our history by preserving John’s writings and the Vineyard’s archives. Only recently have I felt stirred by what I’m seeing and the questions that are coming my way once again. Like many of you, I believe God is not done with the Vineyard, and is calling the Vineyard into a new season with new fruit, but I believe it comes from the same roots. Whether I write this or not, people are asking, “Why Vineyard?”

There have been many wonderful things that God has done and is doing with us as a people; but there are other things as well that I believe it’s time to take a look at.

HONOR 

Having grown up in the Vineyard I want to honor those that gave so much. They gave more than we realize. We must honor those that have given their life for many and took so many risks. Risks many of us will never see. We must bless and remember those that paid such a heavy price for what we got to just ‘walk into.’

It is easy to forget what other people have given when we live in the now and only what’s in front of us. But there is a reason why we get to do church the way we do it now. One of those reasons is due to those people that have paved the way. If we’re to go forward, we must first look back. Often times, we have to go back to our history to get the lenses for our future. To be reminded of what God did, and those He used to do it.

I remember several years ago where the Lord put on my heart to bless those in our church that have given so much. At the time what I realized was not only that we didn’t know how to honor very well, but those deserving didn’t know how to receive honor. Somewhere we missed something that I believe is very important to the heart of God, which in turn affects our future.
 
Up until this point, the Vineyard has not done well with honoring. I’ve seen it and walked through it personally and believe me we have not done well with honoring. I believe it breaks Gods heart. If you don’t honor those that made a way for you; you have to ask yourself the question, “What do you think will happen to you? Would you be okay to receive the same honor you’ve extended to others?”
 

One of the ways I choose to honor is by building on what John and others have given their life to. We must not push others out of the way because we now think it’s our turn, we must give great honor and we do so by remembering with accuracy what they have done for all of us as well as treating them with great respect.

The Vineyard has amazing leaders all around the world. Leaders who have sacrificed dearly and for the most part these leaders have not gone into great detail all the sacrifices. I guarantee there have been many decisions they chose to make in order for the Kingdom to advance. Ministry can be a strain, and not only on the leaders, but also on their children.

I remember when Sean and I got together one of the things he said to me was that he felt like he gave his dad to the church. Now I know what he meant.

Taking a few minutes to thank and give honor to those that serve you mean’s more than you realize. I believe this is what the Lord asks each of us as we will one day have to give an account as to whether or not those leading us have had joy in doing so [Heb. 13:17].

NOT NATURALLY; BUT NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL

I have been in service after service throughout the world these past few years where miracles are taking place and the response of the people is one of surprise, not expectation. In fact, I heard a Vineyard pastor say not that long ago that he didn’t really know John, and his model and influence comes from a different Movement. He in fact said he doesn’t particularly like the whole signs and wonders part. And I know this Movement that’s influencing him doesn’t move in the gifts.

That’s fine to me, except it left me wondering as to why he is a pastor and leader in the Vineyard Movement? What is happening now in the Vineyard that he signed up for and bought into?

Isn’t the defining reason as to why the Vineyard was asked to leave another church Movement [in fact a few] was due to the Holy Spirit moving? If we stayed ‘seeker sensitive’ there would have been no reason for the Vineyard to be birthed.  

I’m not against seeker sensitive models; I just don’t get where it fits in the Vineyard. That model is so opposite of how we began. We’re pioneers doing Kingdom stuff. And Kingdom ministry is messy. And in the long run I wonder if we aren’t calling people to die to themselves, but rather to a convenient Christianity? Are we actually doing a disservice because we aren’t showing people the high cost of following Jesus? I’m afraid we may not be equipping people to learn what it means to sacrifice. Jesus wasn’t a car salesman; He told people upfront they would lose their family and friends and people will hate them. What’s comfortable about that?

Remember, were called to make disciples, not Christians. It’s a death sentence.

I’m afraid when we downplay the Word of God, so we don’t make the people uncomfortable, that we are also undermining the work of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is one of the primary means that moves on people’s hearts. His Word is what cuts through like a sword. If we eliminate that opportunity by downplaying the message, the end result can be shallow conversions.

It’s really good to give people context of what God is doing, and it’s important that we don’t get so caught up in the spiritual that were no good in helping others understand what Gods doing. I have great value for giving explanation as I spend the majority of my time doing outreach. However, most signs and wonders don’t fit into tight programs where God is limited to our timing. Healing and deliverance often comes at the most inconvenient times. I know many leaders are worried about the ‘mess’ the kingdom can make, but you can’t have the miracles without the mess [Proverbs 14:4]. And honestly, I think most are worried about a mess that’s not really happening.

I’m more concerned with nothing happening way more than I’m worried about a mess. I think it was John Henry Jowett that said, “Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing.” 

Kingdom people move in signs and wonders. We are a signs and wonders Movement. Not that we were, but that we are.  In fact, I heard recently that at another Vineyard leaders conference is where a pastor said he came in after the signs and wonders. After?

Remember, as believer’s signs follow us. It’s just a matter of what signs are following. We are anointed to release the oppressed and those in captivity; this is what we’re anointed for; the great calling of Isaiah 61 and Luke 4, but anointing is for a purpose.

When God says were anointed its because its unto something. It’s power for a purpose. And there is no freedom without power. If you don’t use the anointing for the purposes of God you lose the anointing. So what’s our purpose?  Hasn’t it always been for God’s Kingdom to break through in all kinds of ways including signs and wonders?

 We are naturally supernatural people. John said that to us over and over and over again. Seems like some people held onto the natural but have forgotten the supernatural part. We have always believed that were in a time of the already and the not yet; between the cross and the second coming of Christ. However it seems to me we’ve landed more in the belief of the not yet rather than the already. And I’ll tell you this, if you were sick you definitely wouldn’t want a ‘not yet’ person to pray for you! You want someone that actually has the faith that you can be healed!
 
Remember, the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable [Romans 11], but the anointing ebbs and flows with our relationship with God. What happens when we see people that were once so gifted; yet they aren’t walking in it anymore? It doesn’t mean those gifts are no longer, it means somewhere along the way the relationship with the Holy Spirit has been lost, and when that happens the purpose is then lost.
 
The only way to walk in your anointing is to walk in those things God himself chooses to anoint. We don’t get to pick what or who God anoints as that’s up to Him. And just because some one has a title or position doesn’t mean they carry that anointing. We need to get back to looking at the anointing rather than the resume. Just as we all have personal gift-mixes that God anoints us for; I believe He also anoints Movements. If you look all through church history God put His hand on various people, anointing them for certain tasks, it’s no different I believe with the Vineyard.

CHURCH PLANTING
I am just one of the many where God initiated an invitation to do church- it just happened it was in the Vineyard. But there is always a bigger picture as to why.

How I got to be a senior pastor has been quite the ride, but it’s definitely played out as to why this book has come into existence. It’s part of my story. Isn’t it so true if you and I knew what or where God was taking us and the journey to get there; most of us would say no. It’s His great mercy He doesn’t show us everything upfront.

I would have never thought I would be doing what I’m doing today. I never planned to be a pastor or to have a church. It was a byproduct of serving the community. The Holy Spirit started the church and Sean and I had a decision to make. Will we say yes to God and pastor what He entrusted? It felt like I had a baby and the Lord was asking me whether or not I was going to care for the baby. It was God’s idea; definitely not mine! It was that simple, yet definitely not that easy.
 
It came down to a matter of obedience and whether it was for one year or 50 years, we made the decision years ago to choose obedience.  
 
Personally, I didn’t realize how wonderful yet how hard church planting could be. Our church beginning took me back and reminded me of how the Vineyard first began all those years ago. Church planting is a by-product of Gods Spirit at work, however not everyone is real happy about that. And I now understand what it feels like for those that had to leave the Quaker church, even losing many of their friends. Now it was my turn again, yet now I’m 30-something years older!  All of the sudden relationships I had for years dissolved fairly quickly. It was very painful to walk through and not something I would like to do again. But in the midst of all of it, I realized many others must have walked through similar circumstances before me and I’m sure they had it much harder than I experienced!

It was a weird dynamic for me with the church starting because In the midst of much pain and frustration, personally, and as a church we were experiencing great power and excitement of what God was up to. I feel it’s a privilege to do what I’m doing.

I found a long time ago that if I don’t remember the privilege then the pain will always override the privilege. And it is a privilege. 

During this time of church planting God has shown me personally regarding how I see others that feel God is calling them into something. Whether I see it or not, my desire more than ever is to do the best I can to help others achieve what they see. If it’s not the Lord, sooner or later that will become clear. But in walking through some things in my own Movement I had served for so many years, had caused me to question, ‘how do we treat those that see something different than what we may be used to or comfortable with?’
 
This process really answered the question for me as to how can we in any way say something isn’t God just because we haven’t seen or experienced it? Or it doesn’t fit into our man made plans? Isn’t that bringing God down to our level of understanding? If He is the great creator, who still creates and never moves the same way so then why would we assume we would be the ones to see and know it all first? How can we possibly believe if He didn’t show us first, then it wouldn’t be the work of His hand?

It’s very important that we have structure in place as its impossible to work without it. However, remember what John said, “The structure is to facilitate what the Holy Spirit is doing, not visa versa.”

I have a deeper resign in me not to miss out on something God is doing just because its different or comes in a package different than what I’m used too. However, I will say it’s taken me years to come to this place. Sometimes it takes great courage to obey God. And personally, I have great admiration for those that have stayed with me on this journey, as they are greater risk takers than I am!

WOMEN LEADING CHURCHES

Obviously these last several years the question has come up in the Vineyard as to whether or not women should be able to senior pastor. Many people ask me about the struggle of being a woman leader that’s a head of a church. But for me I’ve never thought of it as being a struggle. I personally didn’t believe in it before, so that in itself was funny that here I was doing something I didn’t believe in months earlier.
 
But no matter the leader, I’ve always believed if God calls you into something, He will anoint you to do it. I don’t believe man can stop Gods call upon my life, as calling is from God, not from man. And only I can ruin it by the choices I make. I’ve learned that first hand many a times. And truth is woman or not, if you have to convince everyone you’re anointed for something; its usually because you’re not. The people recognize who their leaders are. And people vote with their feet. And I honestly haven’t had any trouble except from the church. I don’t spend any time trying to convince people of who I am or how gifted I am as I think that’s silly. The fruit is what we look for in people’s lives and fruit isn’t a gender issue.
 
Either you got the goods or you don’t.
 
Which is how John felt about it as well. Sometimes we can make things more complicated then they really are. I’ve been asked several times if I think we should force people in the Vineyard to sign papers showing they believe that women must have the right to be head leaders. I don’t know why people ask me; maybe its because I’m a woman so they assume most likely I believe we should. But I don’t feel that way.

I see that as sending a message of fear to those alongside us that they must believe what we believe or they’re no longer one of us. I don’t believe you can disown your family. We can’t get agreement like that in everything even in our own homes! So why would we expect that on a larger scale?
 
Unless the disagreement is on Jesus being the Christ and the power of His death and resurrection, we shouldn’t make the disagreements more than they need to be. For me personally why in the world would I want someone to sign something that’s not really in their heart?
 
Women should not feel the need to get all fired up as that doesn’t really help. In fact it comes across as showing a need to be recognized, but not in a healthy way. In my opinion it reveals a deeper insecurity.  I personally don’t believe the voice of women in leadership should come from a woman’s voice; but rather from the men. It’s like defending yourself, and when we defend ourselves sometimes it makes the case harder or more suspicious. Just like anything else, if it’s the Lord, He will also raise people up to defend His cause.

What suffers in all this distraction is the Kingdom. All of us should be spending our time on advancing the Kingdom not wasting it by trying to get affirmation from a man or from a piece of paper. God always confirms His leaders, and if a woman feels called to head lead, let that happen organically. That’s not a women’s rights issue; that’s a leadership issue.

Go do the stuff and let the fruit speak for itself.

It’s good for any of us to remember that when changes come that are changing worldviews it’s like turning a large ship. It takes time and it takes great patience so we don’t lose everyone on the ship or even make people sick to their stomach with the sudden turns. It’s important that we give people time to adjust and work things through with their own convictions.

That’s just my thoughts on it. But I can say it, as I’m a woman. And I’m a head leader. The men don’t scare me, but sometimes the women do.
 

UNITY

One of the journeys the Lord has taken me on these last few years was to show me that I had become too ‘Vineyardized.’ What I mean is that my whole world had become Vineyard again. I had forgotten that the Lord is coming back for the whole church; not just the Vineyard. The weird part is that I was surprised when God reminded me; which definitely wasn’t a good sign.
 
One of the ways the Lord began to show me the value of the whole Body was to take me outside of the Vineyard more. He opened up relationships that were very much His hand at work and honestly at the time I didn’t really understand. And even though I didn’t get it, I have come too see I am a much richer because of it. In fact many of these relationships are what supported us during the last several years. Funny how God send’s provision.
 
John had great admiration for the whole Body of Christ. Many of his closest friends were leaders that belonged to or led other denominations. Many of these denominations that were and are much different than the Vineyard; John absolutely loved the Body, and wasn’t threatened when they had different beliefs as he did. He used to refer to the Vineyard as being ‘only one vegetable in the stew.’
 

Unity is very important to the heart of God and it’s always been at the foundation of the Vineyard Movement. There will always be issues, but we must always choose unity when it depends on us. 

There is no need for the Vineyard to be or feel threatened by other Movements or places, but rather celebrate the diversity.

It’s important that we don’t lose focus and attack other places in any way that enjoy a different calling than us. We cannot control whom the people listen to or where they go to get encouraged. Leaders tend to control others when they feel like they’re losing control and that’s never good as it usually turns into law and religion. Control never seems to help relationship and our relationships should be the priority over agreement. John always told us, “Jesus is coming back for a BIG bride”. It was a funny analogy that meant the whole church, not just the Vineyard.

When we know who we are, then we can work with others in the Kingdom without the threat of losing our identity.

Many people in our Movement now do a lot of ministry outside of the Vineyard, and this is great news! This is what was on John’s life. It was never just a ‘Vineyard’ anointing! This is a great privilege. We should be proud of them, lifting them up in prayer and support where God has given them favor. It should not be a threat in any way.

In the last several years we’ve lost many a good people in our Movement because they have been forced to act, respond and believe as some think they should.

I am certainly not saying that’s the case with everyone that’s left our Movement, but definitely with some very wonderful leaders. Not everyone has to be in the Vineyard, but we should be getting better at conflict and learning to work things through. Instead of drawing lines so to speak. I believe what’s more important to the heart of God is placing the value on love and unity more than on being right and having our own way. Lines are usually drawn out of fear more so than out of relationship.
 
The church needs to learn to agree to disagree and love each other in spite of the differences. God doesn't ask us just to have unity within our own local body or Movement, but rather the whole church. And within the Vineyard, John loved diversity, and he made this point when it came to all the Vineyards looking the same. He had value for the way a Vineyard looks in Indiana and knew and celebrated the fact that it would most likely look different than one in California. This was one of the great things about John. He wasn’t threatened to have all the diversity within the Movement.
 
I love the Vineyard. God has called me into the Vineyard from a very young age, long before Sean and I married.  In fact my parents were in the Quaker church the Vineyard came out of. I am committed to the Vineyard, but I have made a decision that I will not die or give my life to the Vineyard. I will however give my life for the Kingdom of God. No matter how great the Vineyard is we are not Vineyard people; we’re Kingdom people!

 WORSHIP

The word worship has become synonymous with the Vineyard. Worship was the expression that got the attention of heaven to move on a group of tired, worn out believers. What God birthed in worship through the Vineyard is nothing less than amazing.

But what was happening then to what’s happening now is the difference between night and day. There’s no comparison. I remember when songs that came that got the attention of the world with no marketing. I remember the anointing and excitement that was indescribable and all we wanted to do is get together to worship. The worship was on the forefront of Vineyard beginning. Vineyard Music was birthed out of Vineyard Ministries International, as it was always about the equipping of the saints.

If you ask anyone that’s come into the Vineyard a high percentage of those will say it was the worship that got them.

In fact, if you look all through church history worship was always on the forefront of renewal and revival. Some of the greatest hymns have come from the times of Charles and John Wesley as well as Whitefield? Martin Luther was a prolific hymn writer, authoring hymns such as "A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” All of these guys changed church history in some way.

It’s no different with the Vineyard, as God moved powerfully the songs came. And if you look around today at other places that are producing music that has anointing on it, they seem to be places where renewal or revival is happening on some level.  

In fact, Carol shared about worship and songs for the Vineyard Movement and how they indicate where we are as a Movement; this should be one of the indicating factors to us concerning worship [The Way in is the Way On]. We have some places in the Movement that are writing and releasing worship, however it’s minimal and it’s not getting the attention of the Church. The reason we got the attention of the Church before was because we had something they needed. It was the anointing.

Since John’s passing there has been obvious change. The real question is, ‘What happened?’  What happened to Vineyard Music as after John passed away as that was when our influence began to deteriorate and go downhill so to speak.

Where we were once the voice in the church with worship; we have now become an echo.

So we must ask ourselves the question, why? In order for us to go forward, we cannot do so without the worship and I think it’s important in going forward that we do so with honesty. In taking a look at what decisions were made that took us to where we are now? We must be willing to acknowledge there’s a difference between then and now. And of course something’s not right!  But more importantly we want to pass along our values of worship to the future generations and that they don’t fall into some of the same traps we did.

It’s time to take a look at what enfolded when John passed away and where those decisions have taken us. I believe in doing so, truth can come and perhaps God will have great mercy on us and breathe on us once again when it comes to worship.

RISKTAKING

The more I do in leadership the more I realize what an amazing leader John was. He was a rarity. I miss him more and more, especially when I’d love to just ask him what he would think about some things. I would say there are very few things I would disagree with John on, but one in particular is when he said movements usually have a 20-year life span.  Of course John was making an observation from past church history, as I’m sure he wasn’t implying that was God’s desire for us. No matter the reason, or what has taken place in the past, I have a hard time believing we already saw the best. What would that mean for our kids and grandkids?

And if that’s true what the heck are we doing?
 
Doesn’t Jesus say that we’ll see ‘Greater things?” Wasn’t this after He had already raised the dead? To me that say’s we haven’t seen the ‘greater things’ yet, and I believe this also includes the Vineyard. Too many focus on the ‘good ole days’ only to maintain, hoping for not much more.

We are a risk taking movement. That’s why the Vineyard was so exciting under John because he was such a risk-taker. He said yes to God, and often times took the heat for it. But he also had the anointing.

But John also had the ability to admit when he was wrong and when he was wrong; he had no problem saying it. In fact he would often tell on himself from the pulpit.

One thing I have personally learned in taking risks is that I’m not risking enough unless I’m failing once in awhile. That’s with people and with ministry. John released the gift of faith to us and in fact said faith is spelled, R.I.S.K.

I don’t care how much you know. Knowing doesn’t heal people, praying does.

Healing manifesting itself physically, emotionally and spiritually has always been one of our highest values in the Vineyard Movement. However many Vineyards aren’t doing it and if you don’t do it, you wont see it. I find where many churches aren’t praying for the sick. Listen; if you want to see people get healed eventually you’re going to have to pray for them. The reason why people see people healed is because they were the ones that prayed!

If we lose our ability to take great risk, we will also miss out on the great rewards.  John Wesley said, " What one Generation is willing to tolerate, the next generation will embrace.”  
 
What is it we want the next generations to embrace?

Is it a passion to maintain or a passion to take risks? Do we want them to have the mindset of the already or a mindset of the not yet? Do we want them to release the oppressed or stand in healing lines forgetting they themselves are anointed to heal those in need? Do we want them to embrace unity or choose disunity with other denominations because the fear of our differences?  When it comes to what we want to see another 30 years from now, our actions must be intentional.

It’s what we are doing and the messages we are saying that’s being released.

I do believe at the 20 year mark of a Movement there are definitive decisions to be made on whether that Movement will get comfortable, or make decisions based on ‘building up the Movement’ so to speak, ‘ even if it means going away from the values and priorities that Movement stood for. Those decisions are what can make or break the continued influence of that particular movement. Will it be what God anointed the Movement for, or what man thinks works best? God alone is sovereign; therefore His plans are sovereign. He doesn’t change; we usually do.

We are a Movement, which means we must be moving, and hopefully moving forward. If we aren’t moving then we will turn into a monument.
 
GOING FORWARD

As with anything that God births, with growth comes the choice to learn from our mistakes. I’ve seen things unfold that I’d like to do differently in the things I am leading. I believe its important to learn from the things that didn’t work or maybe weren’t that healthy. Not all the fruit was so sweet.
 
It always surprises me when I come across people that don’t want to get well.  I guess I’ve found people don’t mind hearing messages on freedom, growth or change, its just the doing it is a different story! Sometimes it’s easier to live in slavery and it’s easier to walk in the ways you’re used too. It takes a lot of courage to walk in freedom.

I remember years ago where John encouraged me to spend my time on people that want what we have. To spend my time on those that have desire to be a part of something no matter the cost. And whenever there is a cost involved there has to be a greater commitment. And many times that involves change. There is no way around change. Growth doesn’t happen without change. That was some of the best advice I’ve ever received!

John didn’t just tell us to do things; he lived them. Remember he used to say, “I want to grow up before I grow old?” Change only comes when the choice to grow is made. And usually growth is a byproduct of change. If I don’t grow the only person I have to blame is myself.
 
We must give those following us the opportunity to grow from our mistakes. It should get better and stronger with each generation. Don’t we always want more for our kids? In fact my daughter has no problem telling me some thing’s she would like to do better than we did. It’s not so funny when it’s about you. But I am so happy her goals are higher. She doesn’t want to settle in ways maybe Sean and I have.

I love what John Adams said: “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.”

How are we preparing the way? What are we doing? What are the things we’ve learned? And more importantly what are we handing off to where the following generations have such clarity and freedom living in what they’re made for instead of having to fight the same battles we’ve had too? 

How we handle unity, healing, worship, signs and wonders, and if women should be head pastors are all things they are watching. Would we be okay to have them lead and respond as we do?
 
Generations following aren’t so interested in our systems. They want to be a part of something that’s going to change the world. In fact it was Carol that wrote not to many years ago that she and John figured that if the Holy Spirit wasn’t moving within the Vineyard they just assume their children and grand children will go where He is.
 
Do we want them or any of our kids to have to go elsewhere? The truth is they will go where they can encounter God in powerful ways. People usually come when they feel like if they don’t, then they will miss out on something exciting.
 
We must remember what’s on us as a people. We must remember the Vineyard was and is and must remain God’s idea. It was birthed from His Spirit. Therefore His Spirit must be the leader of it. And we have story after story that remind and show us the work of His hands weaved all through out our history.
 
We cannot expect those that come after us to give their life to something we just expect them to know. And value doesn’t come unless there is knowledge of what we are valuing. If we don’t impart the vision time and again, they will not show restraint to other things.  

As John said, we must ‘take the best and go.’ Taking is part of going forward. God never goes backwards, but honoring what He’s done and remembering is important to Him, therefore, it must be important to us.

We must tell the story of who we are and why we are. And not only tell the story, but show them time and again. Demonstration of the Kingdom isn’t an option. The poor being cared for, as well as healing, deliverance and salvation are all signs pointing to Gods Spirit at work. We are a people of His presence. Bringing God and His Spirit into every area of people’s lives. Without His Spirit we are good as dead. People don’t need us or what we have to offer; they need an encounter with the living God.
 
In a nutshell, the Vineyard is a show and tell Movement. If we only do half of that message then were missing a very important part of who we are as Kingdom people. We’ve talked enough; we have enough theology on it, and now its time to get back to the doing.

Isaiah 58 has been an important text to the Vineyard. It reminds us what to keep our focus on. We must make it easy for people to participate and work alongside us, not forming standards they must achieve in order to play. One of the greatest values in the Vineyard Movement has always been that everyone gets to play. It’s time to get our eyes off of a person and put the ministry back into the hands of the people.

Lets make it easy, as we would have wanted someone to make it easy for us. Remember, John said, “let the bush grow, and then I’ll trim it back.” In other words, let people play, and they’ll learn as they go and as they grow. That’s what pastors are for; to help direct and walk people through growing up and learning what it means to be a disciple.

We must maintain our focus that this must remain about the people. We are called to serve and love people. As great as signs and wonders are, Jesus made it clear that we will get the attention of the world when we learn how to love. 

Let’s not make things more complicated than they need to be. Let’s keep the focus on Jesus Christ and what He loves most; which are people.

Let us be a faithful people in carrying out this great commission and not get side tracked into various things that only steal our joy in serving.

May our heart cry be not that the Vineyard advance’s, but that the Kingdom of God advances!

Christy Wimber

Yorba Linda Vineyard

For more information regarding the Vineyard Movement, read Carol Wimber’s, ‘The Way it Was, or “Everyone Gets to Play,” and, “The Way in is the Way On.”

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