Sunday, March 15, 2009

Five Core Values in Seven Simple Words

Love this article by Dianne Leman on Five Core Values, Seven Simple Words at Vineyard USA. This explains what we do every Sunday at our church, and every where else, anywhere else, we can.

Can I pray for you right now? These seven words—seven simply supernatural words—capture the essence of the five core values of the Vineyard movement:

  • The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God
  • Experiencing God
  • Reconciling Community
  • Compassionate Ministry
  • Culturally Relevant Mission

At the Vineyard of Champaign-Urbana , where I pastor, we encourage everyone to be attentive and ready to speak these seven words wherever the opportunity arises—whether in the church building, on the street, or in our homes or workplaces. And in this practice of praying for others, we express the Vineyard’s five core values.

We offer to pray because we believe the kingdom of God has come, and we trust that at any moment the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit may break in and bring healing to our broken world.

We experience God when we respond to the Holy Spirit’s nudges and ask, “Can I pray for you right now?” As we pray, we sense God’s heart, we share his love, and we receive his guidance. We are actually partnering with God! His empowering presence fills us and flows through us.

Hat Tip: Rick Ianiello



2 comments:

  1. Hey Barry - can I pray for you right now? :)

    Seriously, I don't know how many times I said those words over the years. I never thought about the link to what we Vineyard types are all about. Now I know what it always felt so natural and good.

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  2. Brother - You can pray for me anytime. I always need it!

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