A statement of commitment for all UK and Ireland Vineyard pastors
A commitment to the events of the Vineyard family
Events like the Vineyard Leaders’ Gathering function like the weddings and christenings of our family. They’re part of how we express our togetherness in mission and movement. They also function as critical moments of punctuation ‒ annual markers of the journey we’re all travelling ‒ and they are opportunities to have proximity with the leaders of our movement and to connect with their vision and priorities. Lastly they are moments when we can be in receipt of ministry and healing, in counterbalance to the output in the rest of our lives.
A commitment to the structures of the Vineyard family
The Regional and Area structure is the way that we as a movement care for our pastors and our churches, and outwork our vision. Our Regional and Area Leaders carry delegated responsibility for expressing this care and vision in a locally appropriate way. The gatherings of various kinds, for training, connection and care, are all to be prioritised. The in-between communication of various Zoom calls, texts and WhatsApp groups are all part of the glue that holds our movement together and therefore are to be considered precious. Sometimes it is not possible for a Senior Pastor to be personally present in such activities for various reasons. In these cases the sending or nomination of a delegate (e.g. Associate Pastor) is often appropriate and communicates a local commitment to our translocal family.
A commitment to the counsel of the Vineyard family
Each of us as Senior Pastors makes an open invitation for the friendly scrutiny of other Vineyard Leaders who are in our proximity (e.g. Area Leaders, Regional Leaders, Pastoral Support, Vineyard Leadership Team in a structural sense, but also the wise counsel of friends, Spiritual Director, Coaches etc.). Ultimately this is about maintaining an open, transparent, accountable, teachable posture throughout a life of ministry. This would include a commitment to seek the wisdom of others outside the local church in anticipation of big decisions like key staff or structural changes, building programmes etc. and to encourage the church trustees to do likewise.
A commitment to radical honesty within the Vineyard family
In our movement it’s OK to not be OK. However, it’s not OK to hide the reality of how we’re doing from the people who care about us. The way we choose to do business is by committing to asking for help when that’s appropriate. We also refuse to be propagandists of gossip or disappointment or hurt. We choose instead to follow Matthew 18, always keeping the loop as small as possible and speaking directly to those we are experiencing tension with.
A commitment to radical generosity within and beyond the Vineyard family
It’s not enough to be growing and fruitful within our own local churches. We choose to be people who celebrate the wins of others, who offer help, support and resources to other parts of our family or the wider church. We are those who hold everything the Lord has given us with open hands.
A commitment to the shared mission of the Vineyard family
We as the leaders of our local churches agree to pool our resources for the sake of the health and vision of our movement. We therefore each set aside and give 5% of our own church’s unrestricted income towards the achievement of our shared endeavours.
A commitment to the shared values of the Vineyard family
We acknowledge that our “sacred trust” finds expression in a deep love for the theology and praxis of the Kingdom of God. So our stewardship of these precious truths and activities means that they become front and centre in our local churches, and are passed on from generation to generation. We host the presence of the Holy Spirit, we expect to encounter God in worship, we lay hands on the sick and we serve the poor. It’s not only who we are, and what we teach, but what we do.
