Vineyard History
The Vineyard movement originated in the United States in 1974, with the first Vineyard church growing rapidly and attracting a wide range of mostly young people with a desire to know, experience and share their faith in God. Growth was rapid and several other Vineyard churches were planted in California, with priorities of fostering worship, evangelism, relationships, healing, training and church planting.
In 1982, John Wimber and several other pastors led their existing churches into Vineyard as their visions were complementary and before long John became leader of the movement. Initially, Vineyard restricted its church-planting thrust to North America, limiting its operation in other countries to renewal conferences and training. However, Vineyard has now recognised a clear call to plant churches throughout the world, including New Zealand.
Vineyard’s first impact in New Zealand came when John Wimber held the “Signs, Wonders and Church Growth” conference in 1986, which had a significant effect on many denominations in this country. It provided an alternative theology and practice for healing and other Holy Spirit-empowered works through the emphasis on Kingdom theology and “doing what you see the Father doing” . Vineyard churches in New Zealand were launched in March 1995 when the 10 New Zealand Harvest Christian Centres became Vineyard Christian Fellowships.
Harvest had been styled on the purposes, values and priorities of Vineyard churches since its inception in 1989, but had not been given permission to use the Vineyard name, nor formally be part of the movement. The first Harvest Christian Centre was planted in Mahurangi in October 1989 by Lloyd & Victoria Rankin, and quickly grew and was instrumental in the planting of the next nine Harvest churches.
The Vineyard Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand now have 17 churches and more church plants coming, from Mahurangi in the north to Dunedin in the south.
We are committed to taking our place in the wider Church in New Zealand and the world, to fulfil the calling God has given us as a “tribe” within the family of God, to bring our flavour to the whole and in so doing enrich the Church and be enriched by the Church.
In 1982, John Wimber and several other pastors led their existing churches into Vineyard as their visions were complementary and before long John became leader of the movement. Initially, Vineyard restricted its church-planting thrust to North America, limiting its operation in other countries to renewal conferences and training. However, Vineyard has now recognised a clear call to plant churches throughout the world, including New Zealand.
Vineyard’s first impact in New Zealand came when John Wimber held the “Signs, Wonders and Church Growth” conference in 1986, which had a significant effect on many denominations in this country. It provided an alternative theology and practice for healing and other Holy Spirit-empowered works through the emphasis on Kingdom theology and “doing what you see the Father doing” . Vineyard churches in New Zealand were launched in March 1995 when the 10 New Zealand Harvest Christian Centres became Vineyard Christian Fellowships.
Harvest had been styled on the purposes, values and priorities of Vineyard churches since its inception in 1989, but had not been given permission to use the Vineyard name, nor formally be part of the movement. The first Harvest Christian Centre was planted in Mahurangi in October 1989 by Lloyd & Victoria Rankin, and quickly grew and was instrumental in the planting of the next nine Harvest churches.
The Vineyard Churches of Aotearoa New Zealand now have 17 churches and more church plants coming, from Mahurangi in the north to Dunedin in the south.
We are committed to taking our place in the wider Church in New Zealand and the world, to fulfil the calling God has given us as a “tribe” within the family of God, to bring our flavour to the whole and in so doing enrich the Church and be enriched by the Church.
Vineyard Values
- The pursuit of God - We are hungry to know God’s presence, hear His voice and pursue Him (Psalm 63:1-3).
- Christlikeness - We desire that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ love, mercy, grace, truth, purity, power and integrity will shine through all that we are and do (Ephesians 5:2).
- The mercy of God - Mercy is fundamental to all God does in salvation. We, therefore, aim to extend mercy to one another and to all to whom we minister (Colossians 3:12,13).
- Prayer - Prayer is a primary means of our communication and relationship with God (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6).
- Integrity - It is important for us to speak the truth, deal honestly and live uprightly (Ephesians 4:15).
- Servant leadership - We aim to exercise leadership with humility, selflessness, grace, care for the people and a sincere desire to build up the body of Christ (Mark 10:37,44-45).
- The individual - Single or married, we want to enable and support mature relationships and family growth (Romans 12:9-10).
- Relationships - We are honoured by every person God adds to the Vineyard. We aim to maintain mutual respect, open communication, determined co-operation and believe and speak the best about each other (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
- Unity - All who belong to Christ are one in His body, the Church. We aim to maintain unity by honouring all who call on Jesus’ name and by seeking relationship with all parts of the Church (John 17:21-23).
- Reality - We aim to walk in the Spirit and see supernatural works of God, while also valuing the intellect and our physical humanity (James 1:5).
- Simplicity - We wish to do nothing for “religious effect” but to act in natural, non-hyped ways. We desire to do the ministry of Christ with joy (Philippians 4:4).
- Cultural relevance - We aim to speak and act in ways in which our culture can respond positively. For example, we value worship music in a style that is relevant to our time and society, and the people our churches are reaching (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
- Fruit and gifts - We value living and expressing the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit. We value character above giftedness.
- Liberty - We want to create freedom to follow Jesus rather than conforming to arbitrary standards. We embrace grace, not legalism.
- Sovereignty of Holy Spirit - We want to maintain flexible structures, traditions and practices to allow the Holy Spirit to move sovereignly.
Vineyard Characteristics
Ten common factors that are high priorities in Vineyard churches:
- Clear, accurate, inspiring biblical teaching where we hear and obey God's word to us.
- Contemporary worship in the freedom of the Holy Spirit, worshipping God with our whole being with Jesus at the centre as our Lord.
- Sensing the presence and power of God and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit, both in church and anywhere else we go.
- Physical healing with emphasis on signs and wonders as seen in the Gospels and the book of Acts.
- An active small group ministry with an emphasis on discipling believers.
- Holistic care for the broken, poor and needy, such as the homeless, the disadvantaged and single parents and their children.
- Commitment to church planting in New Zealand and missions throughout the world.
- Unity with the whole body of Christ and authentic, intimate, enabling relationships within our own churches.
- Preaching and living the Gospel of the Kingdom, always looking to what the Father is doing in bringing people to reconciliation with Him and participation in the community of faith.
- Training and releasing people into committed discipleship, ministry to others, serving, giving, responsible use of finances and healthy relationships.
