Yesterday I introduced this new series toward understanding Vineyard theology (and praxis) because it is increasingly obvious that our movement is facing questions regarding our identity. Truth be told, I think we always have and always will have questions about who we are and what we’re doing and where we’re going because it’s only natural to ask those questions as an ecclesial body. And I do not, as could be falsely assumed, believe the Vineyard movement is monolithic in all of its theology and methodology. One of the things that I enjoy and find extremely healthy about the Vineyard is the diversity! Within the Vineyard you will find advocates of Reformed theology and Arminian theology, Egalitarianism and Complementarianism, home schoolers and public schoolers. You’ll find church planters who are using the “traditional” Vineyard model and others who are pursuing a house church model or other creative expressions for ecclesial pursuit. Our diversity is something many have acknowledged and something I find rather healthy and I have personally benefited from this diversity in my participation in the most excellent Society of Vineyard Scholars. I’m reminded of one of the evening (or was it early morning?) gatherings in a hotel room where Thomas Creedy, Elizabeth Chapin, Frank Emanuel, Mike Raburn, Steven Hamilton and Doug Erickson all sat around talking about Jesus, theology and Scottish beverages. Could you get any more diverse than that crowd? And we all love each other… [Read more…]