Vineyard History
International
The Vineyard Movement originated in the United States in 1974, with the first Vineyard Church growing rapidly and attracting a wide range of mostly young people who wanted to know, experience, and share their faith in God. Before long, several other Vineyard Churches were planted in California, with priorities of fostering worship, evangelism, relationships, healing, training and church planting.
In 1982, John Wimber and several other pastors led their existing churches into the Vineyard Movement because their visions complemented one another, and John soon became the Movement’s leader. Initially the Vineyard restricted its church-planting thrust to North America, limiting its operation in other countries to renewal conferences and training. However, Vineyard has now recognised a clear call to plant churches worldwide, including in New Zealand.
National
Vineyard’s first impact in New Zealand came when John Wimber held the ‘Signs, Wonders and Church Growth Conference’ in 1986, which significantly affected many denominations in the country. If offered an alternative theology and practice for healing and other Holy Spirit-empowered works by emphasizing Kingdom theology and ‘only doing what you see the Father doing.’ Vineyard Churches New Zealand was launched in March 1995 when the ten New Zealand Harvest Christian Centres became Vineyard Christian Fellowships.
Harvest had followed Vineyard Churches’ purposes, values, and priorities since its inception in 1989, but it wasn’t given permission to use the Vineyard name or formally join the Movement until March 1995.
Lloyd & Victoria Rankin planted the first Harvest Christian Center in Mahurangi in October 1989. It quickly grew and was instrumental in the planting of the next nine Harvest Churches. The growth has continued, with more churches planted and more people finding a living faith in Jesus Christ. We are committed to taking our place in the body of Christ in NZ and the world. To fulfill the calling God has given us as a ‘tribe’ within the family of God, to bring our flavour and, in doing so, enrich the body of Christ and be enriched by it. Vineyard Churches typically emphasize:
Biblical teaching
Contemporary music
The centrality of Jesus Christ
Mercy, compassion and grace
Concern for the poor
Prayer for the Sick
Respect for the whole body of Christ
Small groups