On one hand you could say Vineyard churches are like most Christian Churches, on the other hand you could say it is 'church like you haven’t seen it before!' Vineyard churches are based on the same beliefs as the more traditional churches, however, we like to 'do church' in a way that makes sense in our current culture. Our music tends to be new and fresh (and sometimes loud!) We prefer to relate in a relaxed and simple way. We want to be a community in the same way Jesus established community with His disciples and that continued to develop in the early Church of the New Testament. We also place a huge value on being 'real' with one another, and look for God to do very real and supernatural works among us.
Our History
The Vineyard Movement began with just a few churches in America some twenty years ago. It has now grown to include more than 1200 churches in 65 different countries throughout the world.
The Vineyard Australia was established in the mid-nineties and YVV was one of the first Vineyard churches in Australia
If you would like more information about Vineyard churches in Australia please follow this link.
What about this particular Vineyard church?
Here at Yarra Valley Vineyard (YVV) we share in the common heritage and values of all Vineyard churches. We do however; still have our own way of doing things. There is freedom within our movement to adapt what we do to suit our surroundings and culture and unique personality.
We are passionately committed to bringing the message and the ministry of Jesus to our world.
We hope that you will be able to come along sometime. We would love to meet you.
Please contact us if there is anything that we can help you with.
Our Vision...
To reach our world for Jesus by growing in faith, offering hope and acting in love.
Our Values...
Loving God through a life-style of worship
The greatest commandment according to Jesus is to love God with all of our heart, soul mind and strength. We believe that expressing love towards God in these ways is called worship. Our aim then is to live a life that practically loves God with everything we are and everything we do.
Investing in relationships is essential
We believe that we are called to be a community not a congregation. We were created to live in relationship with one another. Therefore it is essential that all of us intentionally invest in relationships with people in a way that helps us live out our faith in Jesus and demonstrates His love to those around us.
Using spiritual gifts to build others up
God gives each of His followers certain gifts for the purpose of giving Him glory and building others up. When God empowers these special abilities we are able to serve each other and our world in amazing ways.
Engaging the next generations
Jesus developed a model of ministry that needs to be passed on to the next-generations in a way that involves them today. We want to serve them in a way that develops their heart for God and their abilities in culturally relevant ways. We want to always be encouraging people to find ways of loving God and others in a life-style that is effective to reach their generation.
Developing servant-leaders
God’s model of leadership is always as a servant-leader. Jesus took on the nature of a servant in order to lead people to His Father. We believe that one of our roles is helping people to become both better servants and leaders, which reflects the heart and mission of God.
Sacrificing for God’s mission
We are called to be committed to God’s mission of love in our world. It is impossible to fulfil that mission with out cost. We believe that God deserves our time, talents, money, resources, and in fact everything we have. This sacrificial style of giving is in response to His ultimate sacrifice for us and the world we endeavour to serve. YVV seeks to utilise these resources in ways that glorifies God and fulfils His mission in the world.
Caring for those in need
Jesus modelled a life-style of meeting the needs of those around Him. Wether it is spiritual, physical, financial or emotional need, we are called to continue this ministry in our world.
Depending on God in prayer
We know that we are charged with a task that is wholly dependant on God. We want to seek God for everything. Not only out of our dependence, but out of our love for Him.
Check out our blog for discussion on this new Vision and Values statement.
Vineyard Statement of Faith?
The need for a statement of faith arose shortly after the beginning of the Vineyard movement in 1983. We were growing quite rapidly and people were coming into the movement from a variety of theological backgrounds and church traditions. To remain true to the faith once and for ever given to the saints, we knew it was necessary to develop a statement of faith that was faithful to Scriptures and represented the diversity of those who are committed to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in relationship with one another in the Vineyard.
The Bible is our final authority in matters of faith and practice. Therefore, the statements that follow reflect our best attempt to express what we believe, and how we are to live out that faith at this time. Upon further reflection, greater biblical insight, or increased wisdom through experience, these statements could be revised. Until such time, the Vineyard USA Board of Directors has formally adopted this document as our official statement of Faith. This action was taken in 1994.
The understanding that the Kingdom of God is the integrating motif of our understanding of the story of God, the Bible and our theology has influenced the structure of this document. From beginning to end, this Statement of Faith reflects our understanding that biblical theology is eschatological in nature and this eschatological dimension is expressed in terms of the Kingdom of God.
The Vineyard USA Board commends this Statement of Faith for use by all our pastors and in all our churches. We pray that God will bless our sincere desire and humble attempt to be ambassadors of His rule and reign through our lives and that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Berten A. Waggoner
National Director
The Vineyard USA – A Community of Churches
Sugar Land, Texas
January 2006
Yarra Valley Vineyard| 60 Cave Hill Road, Lilydale | PO Box 652, Lilydale, Victoria, 3140
T (03) 9739 7945 | F (03) 9739 7946 | E mail@yvvcf.org.au
Office hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm
