What has influenced us? 

Vineyard is all about zealously or passionately "doing the stuff". Why do we feel this way? What has influenced us?

One of the main influences, if not the major influence on John Wimber's life was an understanding of the kingdom of God. Learning about the kingdom of God gave John a new perspective. In his own words, his Christian life took on an entirely different meaning. Attending church was no longer a dreaded activity, but became, exciting gatherings in which the people of God are equipped to go and preach and demonstrate the gospel.

As Vineyard Pastor, Alexander Venter has recounted, for John Wimber the deal was: Jesus gave up his all and took on himself all of your messed-up life. And Jesus offers his life of adventure, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. All you have to do is to give up your life and live Jesus' life doing the stuff.

The kingdom of God gave John (and all of us who are a part of the Vineyard movement) our biblical and theological key for power evangelism and experiencing signs and wonders today. The kingdom of God has shaped our approach to ministry, and given us the basis and motivation for equipping the saints and joining the fight against Satan. Teaching about the kingdom of God has become a deeply ingrained practice in Vineyard churches.

Vineyard Bible Institute in fact equates the kingdom of God as "the theology of the Vineyard". It says that, "while there are other movements and churches in the wider church that place emphasis on the kingdom of God, the Vineyard movement is unique in the focus given to the kingdom. For instance, we are the only contemporary movement to have constructed a statement of faith on the kingdom. Further, the kingdom of God is our theology and practice. Doing the stuff is doing the works of the kingdom."

We have started teaching about the kingdom of God in our Young Professionals house church and our experiences will be shared here. The subject will be "unpacked" as the Spirit leads but we shall be assisted by the enormous amount of resources that are available in the Vineyard churches. Click on each specific topic (under Contents) for details of what we have shared in our house church:

CONTENTS

Mystery of the kingdom
Ignore at your own peril!
Beginging to end: About restoration
Rejecting Jesus is rejecting the kingdom
The kingdom creates the Church
Kingdom authority
Sometimes heroes
Being filled with the Spirit
Overwhelming our personality