In the 60's and 70's when young people were moving to California, often seeking fulfillment through "sex, drugs, and rock & roll," many of them found Jesus instead. As you can imagine, the established Christian churches were not very welcoming to "long-haired freaky people" who liked rock & roll and who were as passionate about Jesus as the anti-war protesters on the news. There was a large age and generation gap between these new Christians and the average church. So, in this period of time, Bible studies spread everywhere -- on the beach, in homes, or wherever they could meet.
During this time, a man named John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement, met in a home with some other Christian leaders with only two objectives: to worship Jesus and to pray for one another. This group grew to about fifty people in a matter of months, and continued to grow rapidly. Eventually it became a Calvary Chapel church. In 1982, that church left the Cavalry Chapel denomination and joined a small group of churches called "Vineyard" which had been started by Kenn and Joanie Gulliksen.
"In that day--'Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it.'" Isaiah 27:2-3
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Vineyard churches began looking to John for direction, and the Vineyard movement was born. The Vineyard saw rapid growth and began planting churches all over the US and other countries.
In 1997, John Wimber died of a brain hemorrhage following a fall. Todd Hunter assumed the role of national director and board president beginning in January 1998. The Vineyard grew under Hunter's leadership, planting new churches and concentrating on passing ministry to the next generation of leaders.
In 2000, Bert Waggoner became the National Director of Vineyard USA, continuing with the same mission and values: valuing the past, embracing the future, and living dynamically in the present. |
Since the time of Wimber, the Vineyard has started hundreds of churches in the US and around the world. Presently there are over 600 churches in the US and about 600 Vineyard churches in 85 other countries.
The Vineyard continues to embrace the values of that first group that met -- passionate worship, healthy relationships and service to one another, ministry by all members (not just paid pastors), an open and informal style, a strong desire for spiritual reality based on the Bible, de-emphasizing religious rituals but emphasizing authenticity and being naturally supernatural as we simply follow Jesus and love people.
For more information, check out the Vineyard USA website.
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