Desperate for Jesus!
Taking risks, Learning together, Wanting to see "One God, One Plan, One Story - The Kingdom, the Power, the Glory". Doing Healing, Doing Church, Doin' the Stuff!
Vine & Branches is a simple tribe of people who have opted out of the corporate market and walked into the farmers market. We are " Friends of the Vineyard", but not a Vineyard church. We are a religious body, but not a public state corporation. We are a voluntary associative co-op, not a 501(c)3. Our experiences, ideas and our website will challenge many. We are integrating much. We want all of God and we are desperate for Jesus.
Vine & Branches recognizes the need for new vision, a new revelation of the familiar thing. In the Bible that usually comes at great personal cost. Yet, if we do not have a new vision then no matter how much we sense that something is "missing" or somehow "off" we just end up recreating the same stuff. At the heart of new vision is our being transformed into the image of Christ. It is not simply about obtaining more knowledge about Christ or using a new language or method of how to do church.
Vine & Branches understands that passivity is engendered in the modern church model. We recognize that many of us in church unknowingly sit and do nothing. However, the mission of the Church, her enterprise of engaging the Shalom of God, in meeting personal, social and Kingdom needs is a crucible of growth. The Church is just the sort of place to learn to "be, go and do". Faith takes risks and embraces the growth it stimulates. We want to encourage you as you find your way in Christ. Our desire is to help you in your own personal ministry. Teaching a class, creating a food pantry, praying for the sick, starting a home group, etc. all serve as change agents. As an organic church we understand Synergy: the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.
Vine & Branches is a community of people learning together, growing together and trying to do the "stuff" together. We are students of the Bible, History, the Reformation and of Revival. We have a clearly Reformed foundation and like all who follow in the tradition of the Reformation we believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However, we also honor the Charismatic gifts and experiences. We believe the anchor of Reformation based doctrine steadies the wind of the Spirit. The first century Church moved in the power of the Spirit. It was poured out upon them but they needed the instruction and understanding that came in the Epistles of Paul etc. The power was for a purpose. It is the same with us today. Those Scriptures are not dead letters to non re-occurring events.
We operate within a Kingdom Paradigm knowing a great invasion has taken place! Often the church limits this invasion to Satan and his demons. Yes, at one time Satan invaded Gods' Order of things but Jesus has invaded Satan's usurped realm. He has established His Kingdom and bound the strong man. Satan, is a defeated foe. He and his demons are now entrenched rebel insurgents. He is losing ground to the King, His Kingdom and those with Kingdom Citizenship. We live in the "already and not yet " reality of this Kingdom with its expanding implications. We have work to do. Join us.
We meet on
On break till January 21st, 2012
Wednesdays Nights, 6:30pm
@ "Off the Hook" bar
In the back Billiards Lounge
880 Pioneer Way, Oak Harbor
(Formerly the Blue Dolphin/TOCG)
