The Association of Vineyard Churches is an evangelical, charismatic, Pentecostal Christian denomination that came out of the Calvary Chapel movement of the 1970s.
The Vineyard movement began when Kenn Gulliksen brought two Bible studies together, both meeting in the homes of Larry Norman and Chuck Girard, both singer-songwriters in the Beverly Hills area. By the mid-1970s, these studies were attended by several actors, actresses, and musicians, and they had begun to emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues.
In 1977, John Wimber, founded a Calvary Chapel in Yorba Linda, California, but his teachings, which included public expression of glossolalia, spiritual healing, prophecy, and exorcism led to conflict with other leaders of Calvary Chapel, who believed that such things were intended to be private gifts.
Wimber joined with Gulliksen, and they began to refer to their movement as the Vineyard movement to distinguish it from Calvary Chapel. Wimber formed a church, calling it the Anaheim Vineyard Christian Fellowship.
Gulliksen soon turned over the churches in his group to Wimber, leaving him in control of the Vineyard movement.
In 1988, Wimber developed a relationship with Bob Jones, Paul Cain, and Mike Bickle, who pastored Kansas City Fellowship, a church that later joined with the Vineyard movement. Viewed as prophets, these men were influential in the Vineyard movement for a few years, but Wimber became disenchanted with failed prophecies and he disagreed with their restorationist views, and distanced himself from the prophetic movement, putting his efforts back into planting churches.
Wimber taught a "Signs and Wonders" course at Fuller Theological Seminary that attracted several younger ministers and church leaders to the Vineyard movement, but also created controversy. He encouraged members of the Church to use miracles to attract people to the faith, as did Jesus and the Apostles in New Testament times. He also made wide use of Christian rock music, and embraced an evangelical, charismatic, and Pentecostal theology.
Until 1994, the Vineyard churches had no official statement of faith, and its statement of faith if a Scripture-based evangelical Christian profession of faith, with no mention of any of the issues that are viewed as controversial.
The Vineyard churches hold that the Bible is inspired and without error, intended to serve as the final authority on matters of faith and practice.
There is one true God, who exists in three equal persons, that being the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God's kingdom is everlasting and in opposition to Satan, who seeks to usurp the rule of God and establish a counter-kingdom of darkness and evil.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He began God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering Satan by resisting temptation, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. Through a sinless life, He met the demands of God's law. Through His atoning death, He took God's judgment for sin, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
The Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Son. He convicts the world of sin. He was poured out on believers on the Day of Pentecost, releasing spiritual gifts to them, all of which should be active in the Church today, useful for ministry, and driving back the kingdom of Satan.
God did not abandon His rule on earth after Adam sinned. He maintained His rule through various covenants. The Davidic covenant promised that one of David's heirs would restore God's kingdom reign as Messiah forever. This was fulfilled in Jesus.
The Vineyard churches recognize two ordinances: baptism in water and the Lord's Supper.
In gatherings of the Church, equal time is given to worship and Bible study, and a significant amount of time is given to prayer and one-on-one ministry, as well. Vineyard worship services nearly always include contemporary rather than traditional music.
Ministers of the Church are officially ordained after years of service as lay leaders, rather than as a result of a seminary education. Many Vineyard churches do not maintain membership records, considering the church to be those who attend services, studies, and home groups.
Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, Vineyard churches are active in several countries around the world, and has national associations in the United States, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Topics related to the Association of Vineyard Churches, any of its national associations, educational institutions, or affiliated organizations are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
With locations at Auburn, Cicero, and two at Syracuse, New York, the church meets every Sunday, and on Thursdays and Saturdays at one of its Syracuse locations. Directions, service times, announcements, a calendar of events, and contacts are posted to the site. An introduction to the Vineyard churches is set forth, and several services may be viewed online, Contributions may be made to the site online.
http://vineyardny.org/
The Vineyard Church of Stafford/Sugar Land
Located in Stafford, Texas, the church serves the city of Stafford and the neighboring city of Sugar Land. Associated with Vineyard USA and the Association of Vineyard Churches, a map shows the location of the church, and its ministries, service schedules, educational programs, and a calendar of events are posted, and sermon video from past sermons are available for viewing. Contributions may be made online.
http://thevineyard.church/
With its national offices in Strathpine, Queensland, Australia, the autonomous national organization represents Vineyard churches throughout Australia. Member churches can be found by browsing its regions, including New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. Addresses, contacts, and web addresses are included. Other resources include its core values and distinctives, and a calendar of events.
https://vineyard.org.au/
Headquartered in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Vineyard Canada is an autonomous national organization representing Vineyard movement churches within the country. A database of member churches and ministers is set forth, and its formation and church planting programs are included, along with photographs and video highlighting its missions projects, a calendar of events, publications, and contacts.
https://www.vineyard.ca/
Vineyard Churches in the UK & Ireland
Representing Vineyard movement churches in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, a directory of member churches is set forth, along with an overview of its theology, spiritual formation programs, worship programs, missions, church planting, and hub training programs. Its leadership group is introduced, and Vineyard television programming, songs, podcasts, and other resources are included.
http://www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/
Vineyard Churches International
Originating in the late 20th century, the Vineyard movement grew up out of what was referred to as the Jesus Movement, as well as the Calvary Chapel movement, and quickly spread throughout the world, with member congregations on six continents. Links to its autonomous national organizations in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Himalayas, Kenya, New Zealand, Scandinavia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Ireland, the United States, and Zambia are featured.
http://www.vineyard.org/
The first Vineyard movement church in Kenya was established in 1996, and the works are currently carried out by the Association of Vineyard Churches Kenya. The national association’s website features a history of the movement internationally and in Kenya, an outline of its approach to ministry, its values, a statement of faith, and statement of leadership standards. A calendar of events is included.
http://www.avc-kenya.org/
John Wimber, an early leader of the Vineyard churches, visited South Africa in the 1980s, planting a church there in 1982, beginning a work that has now increased to more than fifty churches and an active church planting ministry, which became an autonomous body in 1997, which remains associated with the Association of Vineyard Churches. Vineyard beliefs and distinctives are highlighted, and member churches may be found through the site.
https://vineyardsa.org.za/
Representing the ministers and churches of the Association of Vineyard Churches within the United States and Puerto Rico, the association is headquartered in Stafford, Texas. Member churches may be located on an interactive map, which also offers addresses, contacts, and web addresses, when applicable. Other resources include a calendar of events, informational articles on a variety of topics, and an online shopping area.
https://vineyardusa.org/
A ministry of the Association of Vineyard Churches, Vineyard Worship is made up of worship leaders, musicians, and songwriters, and seeks to equip the worship community with effective tools, to inspire them toward deeper connections, and share the gospel of Jesus. Albums and Vineyard songs are available online, and schedules of retreats, summits, and worship training schools are included, along with a blog and contacts.
https://www.vineyardworship.com/
