Churches today - more of a social gathering.

[twinc]

Hell is not a swear word.It all depends on how you use it.Hell is going to be a real place.

via google see [Hell's best kept secret] - twinc

 

[Jethro Bodine]

It is often called the Vineyard movement.

Aka, 'The Fruits of the Spirit'.
Wouldn't that be a great name for a church?

 

[Willie T]

This "Vineyard church" sounds like my kind of place... Do tell.

A lot of people will never want to be associated with The Vineyard Fellowship. There is little internal "recognition" and there are almost no titles to wear. There IS a lot of time and work invested by almost everyone, and it costs more, in actual cash outlay, than any church I have ever been involved with before.

That last point, alone, is too much for many people to swallow....... but food and clothing for homeless people is not free, although we DO manage to find some pretty good deals on discontinued and overstocked items much of the time.

The worship services certainly do not sit well with people who prefer liturgy and religious accoutrements . It's honestly a little too much "rubber meets the road" for the average church-goer.

 

[Obadiah]

So are you saying it's more of a "mission" (for lack of a better word) that reaches out to the community than are many other churches that mainly reach out to just their own members? As for a non-liturgical service, how is that different from the vast majority of non-denominational churches who have non-liturgical services? What of someone who is poor and doesn't have much money to spend and has to commit almost all of their time to minimum wage jobs just to support their family? Are they not welcome then since the Vineyard requires it's people pay lots of money and give lots of their time?

 

[Willie T]

So are you saying it's more of a "mission" (for lack of a better word) that reaches out to the community than are many other churches that mainly reach out to just their own members? As for a non-liturgical service, how is that different from the vast majority of non-denominational churches who have non-liturgical services? What of someone who is poor and doesn't have much money to spend and has to commit almost all of their time to minimum wage jobs just to support their family? Are they not welcome then since the Vineyard requires it's people pay lots of money and give lots of their time?

Did someone say the word "requires"?

The Vineyard isn't something you join. It's more sort of what you find out you ARE. Some are, some aren't, and no one is required to be anything. If it isn't kind of a passion of yours to help, then you won't like being at the Vineyard.

BTW, more than half, maybe even three quarters, of our congregation fits into the economic category you described. That's why it is relatively costly to those who do have, and can give.

As for the liturgy thing..... At the beginning of each service, the preacher, or whoever happens to be opening the worship time, makes it more than clear that we have no requirements NOR restrictions on how you prefer to worship.... sit, stand, kneel, dance, sing, remain silent, raise hands, clap, wave, sit alone by yourself in the back, or come up to lie on the floor at the front..... it makes no difference. You can "Amen" the sermon, or sleep through it.

 

[Obadiah]

Did someone say the word "requires"?

The Vineyard isn't something you join. It's more sort of what you find out you ARE. Some are, some aren't, and no one is required to be anything. If it isn't kind of a passion of yours to help, then you won't like being at the Vineyard.

BTW, more than half, maybe even three quarters, of our congregation fits into the economic category you described. That's why it is relatively costly to those who do have, and can give.

As for the liturgy thing..... At the beginning of each service, the preacher, or whoever happens to be opening the worship time, makes it more than clear that we have no requirements NOR restrictions on how you prefer to worship.... sit, stand, kneel, dance, sing, remain silent, raise hands, clap, wave, sit alone by yourself in the back, or come up to lie on the floor at the front..... it makes no difference. You can "Amen" the sermon, or sleep through it.

Hmmm. It actually sounds a lot like a church I was going to regularly before I got hired to work at the one I'm at now. I was only there about 6 months, but even tho9ugh it was a congregation of only about 60 people, I got closer to more people in that time than I have after years at other churches. One of the last times I was there they were forming small groups to brainstorm, plan, and implement new outreaches to areas that have been overlooked in the community.

Did someone say the word "requires"?...

I was just asking for information since you are involved with them so probably know more about them than anyone else I know, and are a better source of info than some random person's posting that comes up on a Google search.

But I did check to see if any are around me and it seems none are.

 

[Willie T]

Hmmm. It actually sounds a lot like a church I was going to regularly before I got hired to work at the one I'm at now. I was only there about 6 months, but even tho9ugh it was a congregation of only about 60 people, I got closer to more people in that time than I have after years at other churches. One of the last times I was there they were forming small groups to brainstorm, plan, and implement new outreaches to areas that have been overlooked in the community.


I was just asking for information since you are involved with them so probably know more about them than anyone else I know, and are a better source of info than some random person's posting that comes up on a Google search.

But I did check to see if any are around me and it seems none are.

Yeah, pretty much. We're looking at different, larger quarters where we can have a variety of support offices and classroom systems in place to assist the community with health/medical, legal, social, academic, and financial needs. It's a gigantic undertaking, and we may not be able to swing it alone. But there are other denominations here in St. Pete who have expressed a desire to get in on such a thing.

 

[reba]

The Baptist, AofG, Vineyard church around the corner is not the same Baptist, AofG, Vineyard church in the next town...

Churches are made up of people just like this site...most here are nice people some are bossy some have all the answers ...

I would check the Statement of Faith of the church...

My sister prefers what i call a stuffy church...everyone looking proper on Sunday morning.. i prefer jeans neither is evil bad or wrong...

We christians are way to quick to brush aside some one who does not BELIEVE exactly as we do... The old saying Christians 'kill their wounded' seems to still be sadly true..

 

[Willie T]

The Baptist, AofG, Vineyard church around the corner is not the same Baptist, AofG, Vineyard church in the next town...

Churches are made up of people just like this site...most here are nice people some are bossy some have all the answers ...

I would check the Statement of Faith of the church...

My sister prefers what i call a stuffy church...everyone looking proper on Sunday morning.. i prefer jeans neither is evil bad or wrong...

We christians are way to quick to brush aside some one who does not BELIEVE exactly as we do... The old saying Christians 'kill their wounded' seems to still be sadly true..

This is very true. I doubt all Vineyards are the same.

The Statement of faith is a good place to begin, but at our congregation, frankly, it really isn't that much of a true statement of our beliefs..... BECAUSE, we have so many people from just about EVERY denominational background, and most still retain a lot of their upbringing in their beliefs. Our people are pre, mid, post, "None" tribulationists. Some of us are looking for the Rapture, others of us believe in partial Preterism. (There might even be a Full Preterist somewhere in the mix.)
Some hold to the Catholic view of Eucharist, and others really don't think much about it... most of us are in between. Some of us don't even believe in a literal fiery Hell.... others worry just as much about it as many do here.

Ex...... Presbyterians, Pentecostals, New Age, Jews, Atheists, Catholics, Quakers, Methodists, Baptists, AoG, AoC, CoC, Non Denoms...... you name it, and we probably have at least one worshiping in our local congregation.

We DO however have some requirements. I guess the only one I can think of is, "Do you love God?"

 

[Jethro Bodine]

But I did check to see if any are around me and it seems none are.

Me no have any around here, either. But by looking I did find a church I'm very interested in.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

This is very true. I doubt all Vineyards are the same.

The Statement of faith is a good place to begin, but at our congregation, frankly, it really isn't that much of a true statement of our beliefs..... BECAUSE, we have so many people from just about EVERY denominational background, and most still retain a lot of their upbringing in their beliefs. Our people are pre, mid, post, "None" tribulationists. Some of us are looking for the Rapture, others of us believe in partial Preterism. (There might even be a Full Preterist somewhere in the mix.)
Some hold to the Catholic view of Eucharist, and others really don't think much about it... most of us are in between. Some of us don't even believe in a literal fiery Hell.... others worry just as much about it as many do here.

Ex...... Presbyterians, Pentecostals, New Age, Jews, Atheists, Catholics, Quakers, Methodists, Baptists, AoG, AoC, CoC, Non Denoms...... you name it, and we probably have at least one worshiping in our local congregation.

We DO however have some requirements. I guess the only one I can think of is, "Do you love God?"

Sounds like the church I attended in Hudson for about 6 years. The church that pretty much set the pattern for me as to what works.

 

[reba]

churches could be perfect if they were not made up of people...

 

[Willie T]

Sounds like the church I attended in Hudson for about 6 years. The church that pretty much set the pattern for me as to what works.

I searched for many, many years before I found a place like this.

'Taint perfect. And I do have to admit that all of our imperfections and screwed-up traits DO become a strain at times. But It's family and honest.

 

[Kathi]

Hmmm. It actually sounds a lot like a church I was going to regularly before I got hired to work at the one I'm at now. I was only there about 6 months, but even tho9ugh it was a congregation of only about 60 people, I got closer to more people in that time than I have after years at other churches. One of the last times I was there they were forming small groups to brainstorm, plan, and implement new outreaches to areas that have been overlooked in the community.


I was just asking for information since you are involved with them so probably know more about them than anyone else I know, and are a better source of info than some random person's posting that comes up on a Google search.

But I did check to see if any are around me and it seems none are.

From what I have read I think it is a Charismatic Church.

 

[Willie T]

From what I have read I think it is a Charismatic Church.

You're fun. So, what is a Charismatic Church?
I suspect you don't realize this is the #1 definition of Charismatic... right out of Merriam Webster.
: having great charm or appeal : filled with charisma

 

[Obadiah]

From what I have read I think it is a Charismatic Church.

Yeah, and whether or not I would fit in with a charismatic church would depend a lot on what kind of charismatic church they are. I do believe in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have some gifts and I have witnessed many. But I am no fan of the likes of someone like Benny Hinn an his ilk. Things like uncontrolled convulsions (maybe even staged) and rolling on the floor are not for me, yet I have witnessed and taken part in, among other things, a true and complete instantaneous and visible miraculous healing that was verified by secular doctors. So I know God can and does perform miracles and does empower us through his Holy Spirit.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Yeah, and whether or not I would fit in with a charismatic church would depend a lot on what kind of charismatic church they are. I do believe in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have some gifts and I have witnessed many. But I am no fan of the likes of someone like Benny Hinn an his ilk. Things like uncontrolled convulsions (maybe even staged) and rolling on the floor are not for me, yet I have witnessed and taken part in, among other things, a true and complete instantaneous and visible miraculous healing that was verified by secular doctors. So I know God can and does perform miracles and does empower us through his Holy Spirit.

And can you have the same faith if a doctor does not verify it?

 

[reba]

And can you have the same faith if a doctor does not verify it?

Verify the the phonies? ... or verify the healings?... i have witnessed both the real and phony ...

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I searched for many, many years before I found a place like this.

'Taint perfect. And I do have to admit that all of our imperfections and screwed-up traits DO become a strain at times. But It's family and honest.

We used to get in fights. Just petty stuff, never about doctrine, though. We respected each others views about all the junk we argue about here in the Theology folder. When we weren't fighting we were soaking up God's word and praising God and sharing our lives.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

You're fun. So, what is a Charismatic Church?
I suspect you don't realize this is the #1 definition of Charismatic... right out of Merriam Webster.
: having great charm or appeal : filled with charisma

'Charis', meaning to have and use God's 'grace' in the gifts of the Spirit.

I started out in the charismatic movement.