When people ask you about our church, what do you say?
If you read the Christmas newsletter you will have spotted, if you hadn’t already, that quite a lot has happened in the life of this Vineyard in 2006. We could reel off all the things that we did which were new but perhaps another way of appreciating the change is to look around the room and work out how many people here you have known for more than a year or two. Not that many perhaps.
There are groups of people here who have worshipped together for many years – either at Wharfedale or at North Leeds Vineyard or at other churches. However, there are many who have not and others for whom this is their first church, their first community of faith. And the groups that have been together haven’t known the people in the other groups for very long.
I am pretty sure that if you looked around the room you could point to several people whose names you don’t know, whose life is a mystery to you and yet who worship and serve and give their money in the same church.
It is therefore quite in order for you to ask the question, “Who are we?”
Over the next few weeks we are going to explore some answers to the question. My aim is for us to grow in our understanding of who we are, where we came from and where we are going. I would like us to have a greater sense of identity by the end of February. I want to clarify our vision.
When people ask you about the church to which you belong I wonder what you say?
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Technical: we are mainstream in our theology, believing the bible but radical in our practice.
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Geographical: we meet as small groups around this region and come together in a couple of different school venues on most Sundays.
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Activity: we worship, study the bible, minister in the power of the Holy Spirit and work with the poor.
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Generational: we do things with lots of different ages; children and young people are made welcome.
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Culture: we try and use contemporary styles of music and teaching, we like art & craft and sport, we drink a lot of coffee and eat a lot of chocolate.
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Application: we are outward looking seeking to bless our communities and other churches. Our teaching focus is practical and life enabling.
I want you to be able to articulate something with confidence and enthusiasm and feel that you understand who we are and how you belong.
I recognise that the reason some of you are here has very little to do with the Vineyard or any of our values and practices. Some of you are here only temporarily before you move for one reason or another. Others know deep down that they are called to this community of faith for the long haul (what Rick Warren calls the “Core”).
What I am going to talk about will be most important for them but I hope relevant or interesting for everyone. Indeed it may be helpful particularly if you are trying to decide whether this is where you want to put down roots.
When it comes to choosing a community of faith: somewhere to serve, worship, give money, make friends, learn to follow Jesus, be accountable; it is most important that you end up where God has called you. If that is here, wonderful. If it is not here, by all means come and visit, you are very welcome; but much more importantly, find out where you are meant to be and get stuck in there.
David Flowers, 07/01/2007