Our Statement Of Lifestyle

"The goal of our instruction is love, which comes from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5)

We believe that God is in the process of conforming our lives to His image, an image revealed in Christ and which defines the true nature of love. Our commitment to the principles and practices taught by Christ and God's Word is therefore a commitment to God's call to love rather than to some set of arbitrary or impersonal rules.

In that spirit, we offer the following statements as a means of clarity and commitment in our love of God and one another. They are written to serve as a standard of integrity and unity for all who serve in ministry at the Vineyard and are in no way intended to define who may come and seek God with us. Neither are they intended to be exhaustive, but rather to address those areas which most commonly reflect the quality of our community life and leadership.

IN RELATING AS CHRIST'S "BODY" (COMMUNITY)....

We believe that our love for one another is the most natural and essential reflection of our love for God. God has extended His love for us in Christ and invited us to discover and exercise such a love for others.

Dear friends let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12 (LB), Phil. 2:1-8)

We believe that the church, as the living Body of Christ, is by nature to manifest a climate of acceptance. While we may enjoy our preferences and particular friendships, we are to remain inclusive, acknowledging the "stranger" and welcoming the "newcomer".

We believe we are to guard one anothers reputation and avoid divisiveness. In so doing we are to avoid slander and gossip.

We acknowledge that it is common to incur personal frustrations or hurt with one another, and \ or to become concerned with actions we deem wrong in another person's life. We believe we are to value these occasions as opportunities to "speak the truth in love," and in so doing are to speak with that person directly, coming with open hearts rather than judgment.

If a matter remains un-reconciled or unresolved, then one should invite another person into the reconciliation process in the same spirit of love, preferably a mutually trusted friend, leader, or pastor. (There may be situations in which one is unable to speak to another because of intimidating circumstances. In such a case one may raise the issue with one who is formally in pastoral oversight {i.e., small group leader, ministry leader, or pastor} and should be willing to join in bringing the issues before the individual.)

If your brother sins against you go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that `every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matt. 18:15-17)

We believe there are many areas in which those who know Christ may enjoy personal liberty, but for the sake of others should exercise public discretion in order not to cause a pRoblem for others in these areas. In particular we acknowledge that many in our present society struggle with lust and with alcohol. Therefore, out of love and regard for others, we agree to dress appropriately and refrain from drinking alcohol at all formal church gatherings and to use discretion in these areas at all informal gatherings.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Cor. 8:9, also vv 8:1-13)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. (Romans 14:19-22, also vv 14:1-18)

We believe that self-control is a natural part of our commitment to loving behavior. While acknowledging that all sorts of things or activities can become addictive or alter our behavior, we recognize that the drunken state of alcohol or the similar state through drugs most clearly disables our call to self-controlled and loving behavior towards God and others and are to be avoided.

So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Don't drink to much wine, for many evils lie along that path; be filled instead with the Holy Spirit, and controlled by him. (Eph. 5:15-18 (LB) 

Let us who live in the light keep sober, protected by the armor of faith and love. (1 Thes. 5:8 (LB), also Prov. 20:1, 23:19-21, 1 Peter 4:1-5, 1 Cor. 6:12)

We believe that in Christ we have been called to reconcile all divisions of gender, race, background and abilities. We are to honor ultimate equality while blessing the various gifts and beauty reflected in our distinctions. Our calling is unity amid diversity.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:26-28)

IN RELATING AS MEN & WOMEN....

We believe that our being created as uniquely male and female, and our sexuality as a whole, are a very special part of God's creation.

We believe that sexual activity may be defined as "stimulating a God-given longing within us for oneness; through the pleasure of releasing both personal and physical boundaries". Experiencing "oneness" when we have not truly established the lifelong partnership of being "one" violates the very nature of our personhood. As such, we believe sexual passion is only appropriate for the lifelong partnership of marriage. Between unmarried men and women, we encourage the exploring of relationships and the affections of romance which accompany this, but we believe we are to refrain from uncontrolled passion, particularly genital contact, which is a natural part of the experience of "oneness".

The Acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity.... But the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. (Gal 5:19, 23)

You are to abstain from sexual immorality (Acts 15:29)

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." (I Cor. 6:15-16)

We believe we are also to guard our inner hearts from being captured by ongoing romantic or sexual fantasy.

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matt. 5:28)

We believe that we are called and encouraged to develop relationships with those who do not know Christ, but that the developing of romantic relationships between a Christian and non-Christian is inappropriate. We are to acknowledge that our allegiance to Christ establishes a distinction in our core and calling which forms a common purpose in the partnership of marriage. To nurture a romantic relationship with one whom it would not be proper to marry is to disregard what is wise for either individuals heart. The natural result is greater spiritual tension for both individuals, often confusing the one who does not have a personal relationship with Christ.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (II Cor. 6:14)

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. (I Cor. 2:14)

We recognize that some are in existing marriages with someone who does not share their Faith. We support these commitments, believing they are to be honored according to the willingness of the non-Christian partner.

If a Christian has a wife who is not a Christian, but she wants to stay with him anyway, he must not leave her or divorce her. And is a Christian woman has a husband who isn't a Christian, and he wants her to stay with him, she must not leave him. For perhaps the husband who isn't a Christian may become a Christian with the help of his Christian wife. And the wife who isn't a Christian may become a Christian with the help of her Christian husband. But if the husband or wife who isn't a Christian is eager to leave, it is permitted. In such cases the Christian husband or wife should not insist that the other stay, for God wants his children to live in peace and harmony. (I Cor. 7:12-14,15 (LB)

IN HONORING MARRIAGE & FAMILY....

We believe the marriage partnership is a wonderful blessing established by God. Our marital relationships are to model the love of Christ, that of mutual submission, sacrifice, and the building up of the other. We see faithfulness to marriage as one of both physical and emotional fidelity. As a vow of highest human commitment, we request couples who are facing troubles significant enough to cause a "hardening of heart" by either partner, to seek the support of a pastor, who in turn may help by offering further resources.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matt. 19:1-6, also Gen. 2:24, Eph. 5:22-33)

We believe that the raising of children is the greatest entrustment extended to us by God. We acknowledge that no parent is "perfect" nor do they have absolute control over their children. However, we believe it is essential that every child have reasonable assurance that they are loved and desired, and reasonable clarity of boundaries and safety. We believe that serving others outside the family is an important part of raising our children in Christ, but that such service must uphold the priority of our children's basic needs.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4)

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul. (Proverbs 29:17, also I Tim. 3:4; 5:8; Duet. 4:9; 11:18)

IN BECOMING HONORABLE STEWARDS....

We believe God has invited us to be stewards (managers) over the earth, including its resources and wealth.

As stewards, we are called to share in the responsibility of labor, avoid excessive idleness, and do all that we do as unto the Lord.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (I Thess. 4:1-12)

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (II Thess. 3:6-13)

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (Eph 4:28)

As stewards, we are to enjoy managing resources rather than allowing them to control us. Therefore, we are to avoid being bound by debt (incurring large amounts of non-appreciating debt which is beyond our reasonable means to repay), or an excessive dependency on material wealth.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. (Proverbs 11:28)

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wondered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (I Tim. 6:9-11)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart is also. (Matt. 6:19-21, also Prov. 15:16, Deut. 8:10-17, Matt. 13:22, Mark 10:17-25).

Similarly, as stewards of Gods' provision, we are to acknowledge and exercise our faith in freely giving of our finances for meeting needs and building up His body through the ministry of the church. Like Christ, we affirm the practice of tithing (i.e. acknowledging and giving the first tenth of our earnings) (Matt. 23:23), while recognizing that our giving is not to be an exercise in empty obligation but an exercise in our trust of God and in response to His provision and generosity. We must each freely determine our giving according to that which reflects our growing faith (over fear) and willing sacrifice (over selfishness.)

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," say the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it." (Malachi 3:10)

Then he (Jesus) said to them "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matt. 22:21)

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." (Mark 12:41-44)

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.... (I Cor. 16:2)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (II Cor. 9:6)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 (Corinthians 3:18)

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