- I've just become a christian,
now what?
- What does VCC believe about baptism?
- Why
should I be baptized?
- When should I be
baptized?
- What if I was baptized as an
infant?
- Should I be re-baptized if I was
baptized at another church?
- Can my children
be baptized?
- What should I do to be baptized
at VCC?
- What are VCC's small groups?
-
How do I choose a group that's right for me?
-
What goes on at a small group meeting and how long is it?
- Do
I have to be invited first before I can attend a small group meeting?
-
What will happen if I just "show up" at a small group meeting?
-
Do I have to make a long-term commitment to a particular small
group?
- Church and Christianity are both
very new to me. Should I wait until I become more familiar with the Bible before
going to a small group?
- What does VCC
believe about the Bible?
- How can I experience
the Holy Spirit?
- Why do we worship the
way we do at VCC?
- What worship is not
at VCC.
- What worship is at the VCC.
- What
kind of counseling does the VCC offer?
I've
just become a christian, now what? I.
If you have given your life to Christ and invited Him into your heart, then you
are a Christian. Jesus called this being "born again." "I tell
you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
(John 3:3) Paul said that becoming a Christian is like starting a whole new life.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone,
the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) What
should you do now that you are a Christian? Here are several key things you can
do: 1. Read the Bible every day. The Bible is God's Word and
He is the author. It is the primary way God communicates with us. By reading the
Bible, you will learn more about Him, what He has done for you and His plan for
your life. You will also find comfort during difficult times and answers for your
problems. We need to read the Bible every day in order to live and grow as Christians.
A good place to start reading is the biographies of Jesus, called the Gospels.
They are the first four books of the New Testament. We recommend reading a modern
translation of the Bible, such as the New International Version (NIV). "Jesus
answered, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from
the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4) 2. Spend time
praying every day. Prayer is just talking to God. A simple formula to follow when
praying is "A.C.T.S."-adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
When praying, make sure to praise God for who He is, to honestly confess your
sins to Him and to thank Him for what He's done. Supplication means to simply
ask him for things that you need. Be open during prayer for God to speak to you
about what He may want you to be doing or changing in your life. "You
do not have because you do not ask God." (James 4:2) "I
love the Lord, because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends
down and listens, I will pray as long as I live." (Psalm 116:1-2; paraphrase) 3.
Stay in fellowship. This means to maintain close relationships with other Christians.
At Vineyard, believers stay in fellowship by regularly attending one of our weekend
services and by joining one of our small groups. Small Groups are posted in the
church foyeand here on the website. VCC's small groups meet in a variety of locations and include a diversity of age groups and interests.
As a new Christian, one easy way to join a small group is to come to our Wednesday
Night training. There are Bible studies and classes on christian living and
ministry at this time. You can even join us at 6:00 p.m. for dinner with your
family. Wednesday night also offers training for children from infants through
high school. Another great place to fellowship is at church-wide special events
or special meetings hosted by the men's and women's ministries. Check the church
calendar for times and dates. "They devoted themselves
to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and
to prayer...Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They
broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising
God..." (see Acts 2:42-47) "By this all men will
know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35) 4.
Share Jesus with others. As a Christian, you are called to be a witness for Christ.
This means you are to tell others what the Lord has done for you. It is not necessary
to be a bible scholar or to have all the answers. Sharing your "testimony"
(the story of your journey toward Christ) is one of the most effective ways of
helping others find Him. There are benefits in it for you, as well. Sharing your
faith forces you to discover what you really believe and why, and it enables you
to participate with the Lord in His plan for the world. "Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for
the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15) "I pray that
you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding
of every good thing we have in Christ." (Philemon 6). "We
are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through
us." (2 Corinthians 5:20) If you would like more information
about these or any other opportunities for spiritual growth and training at VCC,
click here. VCC
Training. - top of page -
What does VCC believe about baptism? The
first story we read in the gospels about Jesus as an adult describes His baptism.
The last thing Jesus said to His disciples before ascending into heaven was that
they should go throughout the world making disciples and baptizing them. Baptism
is obviously a very important activity in the New Testament. Baptism
is also a subject that Christians don't all agree about. Here at Vineyard, we
view it as a secondary issue, allowing some room for disagreement between sincere
believers. We have, nonetheless, tried to be faithful to the Bible and faithful
to what the church has done historically. Here is how we would answer some of
the most frequently asked questions about baptism: -
top of page - Why
should I be baptized? 1. You don't need to be baptized
to be saved. The New Testament teaches that a person is saved by repentance from
sin and faith in Christ. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:38) In Luke 23, the thief on the cross recognized
who Jesus was and reached out to Him, and Jesus promised him salvation. That dying
thief had no opportunity to be baptized. 2. You do need to be baptized
to be obedient to Jesus. We are commanded to be baptized as a part of being His
disciple. "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Mt. 28:19) Thus, we don't
get baptized when we "feel like it," or when we "get around to it" or when we
are "led to it by the Lord." Baptism is one of only two ordinances or rituals
that Jesus commands us to observe for all time. The other is The Lord's Table,
or what is often called communion. 3. Baptism is a public profession
of your faith. Baptism is done before a group of people who witness your confession
of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is not the only way we profess to be a Christian,
but it is an important way. 4. Baptism symbolizes your cleansing from
sin. Baptism throughout the New Testament indicated that a person had "repented"
or turned away from sin. The apostles often referred to the fact that believers
were washed from sin. Peter stated that the water in baptism symbolized not the
cleansing of the body from dirt, but the cleansing of the conscience. (1 Peter
3:21) 5. Baptism symbolizes your union with Jesus in His death, burial
and resurrection. When you become a Christian, you die to sin and your old way
of life and you begin a whole new life. Romans 6:8 states, "Now if we died with
Christ, we believe that we will also live with him." The very act of baptism (being
immersed in the water and coming up out of the water) is a picture of what happens
to you spiritually. How should I be baptized? VCC believes
that people should be baptized by immersion as opposed to sprinkling or pouring.
The term "baptize" literally means to immerse. This was how people in the Bible
were baptized. Also, immersion best symbolizes what happens spiritually when you
become a Christian. - top of page -
When should I be baptized? You
should be baptized as soon as possible after you have personally trusted Christ
for salvation and been "born again." Remember, you are not baptized
in order to become a Christian. You are baptized because you are a Christian.
We should not put off baptism, since it is a command of Jesus. VCC holds baptisms
at various times throughout the year. You can call the church office (949-425-3787)
or check the church calendar to find the schedule. -
top of page - What
if I was baptized as an infant? Among orthodox Christians
there are different perspectives on infant baptism. Some denominations and traditions
(such as Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic) baptize infants while others (such
as most Baptists) do not. Perhaps you were baptized as an infant. How should you
view that baptism? You certainly want to show respect to your parents and their
viewpoints, as well as be grateful to God for any positive spiritual influence
they had in your life. However, our understanding of what the Bible teaches is
that baptism is an action that follows conversion. So, if you have not been baptized
since you have made a decision for Christ, we would recommend that you get baptized.
- top of page - Should
I be re-baptized if I was baptized at another church? As
long as you were born again when you were baptized, and as long as the other church
was a Christian church, then you should not be re-baptized. There are exceptions,
however, especially if your baptism was merely a church ritual done prior to your
conversion or if the church was outside of the mainstream of Christianity. Then
we would encourage you to be baptized again. -
top of page - Can
my children be baptized? Absolutely, as long as they thoroughly
understand what they are doing. Vineyard Community Church recommends that you
wait until your children are at least 10 years old so they can make an intelligent
profession of faith that is their own. We certainly believe that a young child
can be saved and baptized, but the older a child is, the more they will understand
and the more meaningful baptism will be for them. Remember, they do not need to
be baptized in order to be Christians
What should I do if I want to be baptized
at VCC?
If you decide you want to be baptized at Vineyard
Community Church, you will need to sign up for one of our baptisms and take a
baptism class. This class is brief (twenty minutes) and is usually offered before
the beginning of the service when baptisms are being done. Call the church to
find out when the next baptism is scheduled. We would encourage you to invite
friends and relatives, since it is a wonderful opportunity to bear witness to
Jesus - top of page - What
are VCC's small groups? Small groups are important at Vineyard
Community Church for the simple reason that fellowship is important. Many Christians
today, however, feel fellowship or small group participation is optional something
they do only when they have free time after work, family errands, friends and
leisure. We at Vineyard Community Church believe fellowship
is basic to what it means to be a Christian. The Bible teaches that once we accept
Christ, we are not only reconciled to God but we are also relationally united
with other believers in what's called the body of Christ. "Just
as each of us has one body with many members
so in Christ we who are many
form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4,5)
There are many verses telling us how to relate to each other and the
phrase "one another" alone appears over 60 times. "
love one another
"
(1 John 4:7) "Honor one another
" (Romans 12:10) "
agree with
one another
" (1 Corinthians 1:10) "Be patient, bearing with one another
"
(Ephesians 4:2) It seems obvious that the Christian life is meant to
be lived in the context of fellowship. Unfortunately, it's hard to experience
real fellowship at our weekend worship services. Meeting "face-to-back-of-head"
once a week for an hour and a half with 1000 people is not what the writers of
the New Testament had in mind when they wrote about fellowship. While our worship
services are a very important part of our church life, it's at our small group
meetings during the week that we can experience fellowship. Fellowship
with other Christians is vital to your spiritual health and growth. If you are
not yet involved in a small group, we would urge you to make time for this in
your life. - top of page -
How do I choose a group that's
right for me? Consider what your greatest
need is and then look for a group you think will best meet that need from the
display of group cards on the information wall in the lobby. There is also one
page that summarizes all the small groups in the lobby. Our small groups
are organized in several different categories. These include men's groups, women's
groups, home groups, prayer and worship groups, special interest groups, and Wednesday
night groups. VCC's small groups meet throughout the week at various times and
all around the Orange County area. You should be able to find something that fits
your need. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tim Johnson at
tim@vccgn.org -
top of page - What
goes on at a small group meeting and how long is it? The
average small group meeting lasts about two hours. For part of that time, the
group is focused on their relationship with God. There will be worship, group
discussion over a passage from the Bible and then members will pray for each other.
The rest of the time is spent in "fellowship" coffee, cake, conversation and just
getting to know each other. - top of page -
Do I have to be invited first
before I can attend a small group meeting? Absolutely not!
All of our groups are open to anyone who would like to visit and "check them out." -
top of page - What
will happen if I just "show up" at a small group meeting? You
will be warmly welcomed and invited to participate to the degree you feel comfortable.
All of our groups are accustomed to visitors and new people. We do advise, however,
that you phone the leader in advance to make sure the group is still meeting at
the same time and place. Leaders' phone numbers are listed on the information
cards in the lobby. - top of page -
Do I have to make a long-term
commitment to a particular small group? No. You are free
to visit as many groups as you like, and to attend a group for as short or long
a period of time as you want. We do recommend, however, you select a group and
stick with it for a while. That will give you a chance to really get a feel for
the group, as well as to form meaningful relationships with others. -
top of page - Church
and Christianity are both very new to me. Should I wait until I become more familiar
with the Bible before going to a small group? Absolutely
not! Small group involvement is the best way to grow in your knowledge and understanding
of spiritual things. If you think you may feel out of place in a group with "old-timers"
or "bible experts," you may want to check out one of our discipleship groups.
These groups are made up of folks who are both new to VCC and new to Christianity.
Can I bring my kids with me to the small group meeting? Some
groups do provide supervision for children either at the place of meeting or nearby
but most do not. It is best to check in advance by calling the leader or host
of the group you are interested in. Their phone numbers are listed on the group
card in the church lobby. If you have any additional questions about
small groups, please call the church office during the week, and we will try to
assist you. - top of page -
What does VCC believe about
the Bible? The Bible is the biggest best seller of all
times, translated into more languages and read by more people than any other single
book. Despite its popularity, many people today are completely unfamiliar with
it. Where did the Bible come from? How do we know if the events recorded in the
Bible really happened? How is the Bible relevant to my life today? Here are answers
to some basic questions and hopefully help you better understand and benefit from
the Bible. Facts about the Bible: 1. The Bible
is a collection of 66 books. The word Bible comes from the Greek word for "books."
Scripture, another word used for the Bible, means "the writings." 2.
The Bible was written by more than 40 different authors over a period of about
1600 years. Some well-known bible authors include Moses, David, Solomon, and the
apostles Peter, Paul and John. 3. The Bible is divided into the
Old and New Testaments. Testament is another word for "covenant" which is like
a contract. The Old Testament is about God's special covenant with the Jewish
people and the New Testament is about God's new covenant based on the person and
work of Jesus Christ. 4. The Old Testament books were written
between 1400 BC and 430 BC. These books were compiled into a collection called
the "canon" about 300 years before the birth of Christ. 5. The
New Testament was written between 45 AD and 90 AD. The early church recognized
these writings as "Scripture" but they were not collected into an official canon
until the 4th century. 6. The Bible is not arranged in chronological
order, which can make reading through it confusing. The various books are grouped
instead by the type of writing they are law or history or poetry, for example.
Vineyard Community Church believes that the Bible was written by
men but inspired by God. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16
that "all scripture is inspired by God." By saying "inspired," he didn't mean
that the Bible is inspiring to read, or that the authors were "inspired" in the
same way a composer is inspired to write a piece of music. The word in the Greek
literally means "out-breathed" and conveys the idea that the writing of the Bible
was intimately directed by the Holy Spirit. Peter referred to this when he wrote,
"
no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as
they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." [2 Peter 1:20-21] This is why Christians
often call the Bible the Word of God. At the same time, real historical
figures at specific times in history wrote the various books of the Bible. The
Bible did not just fall out of the sky but it is both natural and supernatural-the
product of both human and divine activity. Somehow God guided the human authors
to write what He wanted us to know concerning our Christian beliefs and practices.
Vineyard believes that the Bible is revelation. God has made
Himself known to men and women through revelation, such as the wonder and beauty
of creation, the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and the pages of the Bible.
What this means is that the truth contained in the Bible was not arrived at merely
through human effort-study, research or contemplation. God had to reveal it, show
it or disclose it to the Bible authors. Without revelation, it would be impossible
to truly know God. Vineyard believes that the Bible is trustworthy.
Everything Christians are required to believe is based on the Bible. It is,
therefore, of tremendous importance to determine whether or not the Bible is reliable.
It would be impossible, however, to thoroughly deal with all the issues surrounding
this subject briefly. Suffice it to say that there is overwhelming evidence supporting
the Bible's reliability and trustworthiness, particularly when it's compared with
other ancient documents. We can as Christians have confidence that what was originally
written down was preserved and accurately passed on over the centuries. Advances
in archeology have repeatedly corroborated the Bible's record of history, further
pointing to its reliability. Most criticisms against the Bible's reliability
have little to do with actual discrepancies, inaccuracies or blatant errors rather
they have more to do with anti-supernatural biases. Some critics dismiss any references
to the supernatural in the biblical accounts as myth, legend or folklore.
Vineyard believes that the Bible is authoritative. The Bible
is more than just a book of good ideas and helpful hints. It is the Word of God
and,since God is both Creator and King, what He says has authority. The Bible
has authority over us as Christians in the same way a highway patrolman has authority
over us as drivers. In the Vineyard, we look to the Bible as the final authority
for what we should believe (doctrine) and how we should live (practice). In contrast
to some Christian denominations, here in Vineyard there is no person or tradition
of equal or greater authority than the Bible. How to get started
reading the Bible: It is essential, that as a Christian, you regularly
read the Bible. This is how you will grow and mature spiritually, as well as how
God will speak to you. Here are a few practical suggestions to get you started:
Get yourself an easy-to-read translation of the Bible. We recommend the New
International Version (NIV) which is both easy to read and accurately translated. Begin
by reading the Gospels, which tell the story of the life of Jesus. Start
out reading just a chapter or two every day, whatever is manageable for you.
Eventually get a Bible reading plan to follow (available at the Vineyard
bookstore) that will systematically take you through the Bible in a year.
Consider investing in a "study" Bible which includes helpful background information
that will increase your understanding of what you read. We hope this
has answered some of your questions about the Bible and given you some practical
suggestions for getting started reading the Bible on your own. If you are interested
in learning more, please consider joining one of our small groups or attending
one of our many Bible studies or training classes. -
top of page - How
can I experience the Holy Spirit? Few things are as puzzling
or raise as many questions for us as Christians as the Holy Spirit. If we were
honest, some of us would have to admit that we believe in God the Father, God
the Son and God the "Big Gray Blur." We just don't "get" the Holy Spirit!
The Bible certainly can help, since it says a lot about the Holy Spirit.
For example, Jesus always referred to the Spirit as "He" and not as "It" (John
14:15-17). This tells us that the Spirit is a person and not some kind of intangible
force like electricity or gravity, He is someone with whom we can relate. If you
are a Christian, according to the Bible you have been "born of the Spirit" (John
3:8) and you have the Spirit, because "if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ,
he does not belong to Christ." (Romans 8:9). But the Bible also refers
to the Spirit as the breath of God, wind, fire, a dove, counselor, helper, bringer
of truth, giver of gifts, source of power. The Spirit is said to "fill" people,
"come on" people, "speak through" people, even "move" people. It can all become
very confusing. How should we today relate to God the Holy Spirit? A
simple way to think of the Holy Spirit's ministry in our lives is as the experienced
or "felt" presence of God. Paul said that Jesus was the [visible] image of the
invisible God (Co.1:15). "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father," Jesus said
(John 14:9). The Spirit, on the other hand, is the felt presence of the invisible
God, which means the Spirit is meant to be experienced (see John 7:37-39; Acts
2:1-4, 17-21; Romans 8: 11,13-16). Here are a few practical suggestions
to help you begin to experience the Spirit of God in your life. 1. Ask
God for an experience of the Holy Spirit. James tells us quite simply that sometimes
we don't have because we don't ask God. (James 4:2) And Jesus encourages us to
ask God specifically for the Holy Spirit, saying that if we "who are evil know
how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Father in heaven
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13) Begin praying that you
will experience the Holy Spirit in your life. 2. Actively participate
in worship. Psalm 22:3 tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. The
Holy Spirit is especially present and therefore can be uniquely experienced during
times of worship at church. You can begin to experience His presence by actively
focusing your heart and mind on God when you worship, both at church and when
you are alone. 3. Receive prayer ministry. There is a pattern in the
New Testament of the Holy Spirit "coming on" people when the apostles laid their
hands on them (e.g., Acts 8:17; 2 Tim.1:6). At our services each weekend, as well
as in our small groups, we pray for each other by "laying on hands." Often through
this type of prayer, the Holy Spirit can be felt and experienced. 4.
Attend a conference on the Holy Spirit. Throughout the year, we offer various
classes, seminars and conferences on the Holy Spirit, healing, worship or the
gifts of the Spirit. All of these are great opportunities for you to not only
learn about the Holy Spirit, but experience Him in a deep, personal way.
5. Have a daily devotional time. The Bible tells us that we will find God when
we seek Him with our whole heart (Jer.29:13). Taking time to be alone with God
every day for prayer and Bible reading is an indispensable part of the life a
disciple. It is also one of the primary ways God through His Spirit interacts
with us, enabling us to sense His presence. The Bible encourages us as
Christians to both seek and expect an experience of God's presence in our lives
through the Holy Spirit. David challenges us in Psalm 34 to "taste and see that
the Lord is good." Jesus told His disciples that it was better that He leave,
because then He could send them (and us) the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). If you are
a Christian and are longing for an experience of God's presence through His Spirit
in your life, try the suggestions mentioned above. Or if you have questions, you
can call the church office to speak to a pastor. -
top of page - Why
do we worship the way we do at VCC? One thing people notice
almost immediately about VCC is the worship. It's often quite different from anything
they have ever experienced at a church before. Perhaps you have asked some of
the same questions others have about our worship: "Why do you sing so many songs?
Why is there a rock band up on the stage rather than a choir and organ? Why do
people close their eyes and raise their hands? Why don't you just sing up beat,
happy songs to get people in a good mood? Why do some people seem to get so emotional
during worship?" - top of page -
What worship is not at VCC. Worship
is not a "spectator sport" at VCC. The singers and musicians on the stage during
our worship services are not there to entertain us but to lead us in worshipping
God and entering into His presence. This is why you will see people throughout
the congregation with their eyes closed and their hands raised. They are participating
in and not just watching worship. Worship at Vineyard is not a "warm-up"
to get us ready for the sermon. Although worshipping God often does soften our
hearts and open our minds up to hearing from God during the sermon, that is not
the purpose of worship. Worship is to express thanks and adoration to God for
who He is and what He has done. Worship has value in and of itself and is not
a prelude to anything, including the message. Worship at Vineyard is
not a "sing-long" time. Most people have at some time in their lives joined in
a sing-long=sitting around a campfire as a kid or gathered around the piano after
a big family meal. Worship, however, is more than songs and music. It is coming
into contact with the Living God. Expressing our thoughts and feelings to Him
in song is simply a vehicle towards that end. -
top of page - What
worship is at the VCC. Worship at VCC is about intimacy
with God. It is during worship that we come into contact with the living God,
in a deep and personal way. Worship is when we turn our attention away from the
pressures and stresses of daily life, and through song, consider God and what
He has done for us. At Vineyard, we try not to hide behind "religious" masks and
keep God at arms length. We come to Him honestly, letting Him see us as we really
are, with all our weaknesses, failings and needs. The Bible teaches
that God "dwells in the midst of our praises." It is during worship that many
people actually feel God touching them at their point of deepest need. You will
see people with their eyes closed, their hands raised; they might even be crying.
God is doing something in them at that moment. It is because we value
intimacy with God that: ...we worship for 20-30 minutes. It takes time
for people to re-focus and open themselves up to God. ...we project the
words to songs up onto overhead screens rather than use songbooks. We want people
focused on the Lord and not distracted behind a book. ...we sing songs
with simple lyrics that are easy to follow and memorize. That enables people to
focus on the Lord as they worship and not worry if they are singing the right
words. ...we sing songs that are directed to the Lord and are not just
about the Lord. We want to build up our relationships with God during worship.
...we won't always have an "up-beat" type celebration during our worship
services because people don't feel up-beat all the time. We don't use music to
manipulate people or manufacture a certain "mood." Instead, we value honesty and
authenticity in worship. ...we use songs that express how we really are,
that admit weakness or need, ask for help, or tell God how much we love Him for
what He has done. Worship at Vineyard is about being culturally relevant.
Our desire is for people to be able to walk off the street, into our worship service
and not feel out of place or like they have stepped back in time a hundred years.
We try to make everything we do and say easy to understand and relevant for a
person living today. This is why: ...we have a "rock-and-roll" style
worship band. This style of music has become the most relevant and meaningful
to our culture today. ...we have a simple auditorium without any ornate
decorations or religious symbols. ...we dress casually, allowing people
to "come as they are." Please feel free to participate in worship here
at the Vineyard to whatever degree you feel comfortable. You may discover after
a few times that you are really looking forward to that part of our service, that
worshipping God is a wonderful experience. It can help lower your walls of defenses
against the Lord, allowing Him to touch you deeply and change your life forever. -
top of page - What
kind of counseling does VCC offer? Life
is hard. In many ways, it's harder now than it was just a generation or two ago.
Families are fractured. People are isolated. Abuse of all kinds is rampant. It's
no surprise that many people find themselves stuck in their problems, hopeless,
unable to change. While it's often the case that life's
problems lead us to Christ, it's also the case that these same problems don't
always neatly resolve themselves once we're "saved." There is a process
involved with change. It takes time and work to move from a place of brokenness
to a place of wholeness and freedom. And while no one can change without the power
and grace of God, many people also need the support and guidance of others. Here
at Vineyard, there are several ways you or someone you love can receive the personal
help necessary to change. Small Group Involvement: We believe
here at Vineyard that fellowship through involvement in a small group is basic
to Christian discipleship. Every follower of Christ needs to be in relationship
with other believers to mature and be spiritually healthy. But small groups are
also the primary context for receiving personal support, guidance and counsel.
Countless believers in this church have been helped with their problems through
the love and care of other Christians in their small group. Intensive
Healing Prayer: Ann Bowman leads our emotional and spiritual healing ministry,
an interactive process of prayer that brings resolution and healing to past emotional
hurts and traumas. It offers a flexible model that describes the general flow
of emotional healing in a person. It is part of the larger process of sanctification
in our lives, as we experience new freedom within and become conformed to the
image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). We minister in confidential teams of three
or four mature, gifted and trained intercessors. Those
desiring prayer complete a "Request for Ministry" form located on the
wall in the front lobby and Ann Bowman, Healing Prayer Team Coordinator, schedules
them to meet with a team. Pastoral Counseling:
Sometimes our problems require the advice and counsel of a pastor. All the pastors
on staff at Vineyard are qualified to counsel and many do take counseling appointments
from time to time. Our policy, however, is for pastors to refrain from long-term
counseling and to limit to appointments to one or two. Professional
Counseling: Professional counseling is available through high trained professionals
who provide Christian counseling from a solid biblical foundation. Services are
available to anyone for a fee, which can be adjusted according to an individual's
income level. For more information contact the church office at 949-425-3787.
Our desire at Vineyard is to see people come to Christ,
grow as His disciples and be made whole through the love and grace of God. If
you feel "stuck" in a problem in your life, we would encourage you to
pursue help here at the church so that you can experience all that God intends
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