God at Work in Denominations
From Renewal to Mission
By Gary Best
The head of the vineyard Churches Canada reflects on cha
denominational identity and the challenges all evangelical nging
s face
In denominational terms, the Vineyard family of churches with them. It seems much harder to be “successful” in the task
is a relative newcomer. We have been in existence for just of mission than in the business of renewal.
under 25 years, born out of the Jesus People revival of Recently we conducted an anonymous online survey of all
the 1970s. Like adolescents in any family, we’ve had a our adults across the country to see where we are in this transi-
wonderful opportunity to explore and experiment. Without tion. Some things were very encouraging. Fifty per cent of our
the restraint of a long and established set of traditions, we’ve people have come within the past five years ( 10 per cent in this
been able to venture outside the box for both good and ill. We past year alone). We are increasingly getting younger (a strong
have been privileged to see God use our journey to bring re- majority of our people are under 40) and that is being reflected
freshing renewal to many within the larger Church in Canada; in our leadership demographics. Contrary to a disturbing trend
we’ve also experienced the pain and sense of regret in wit- in the North American Church, we are not only holding on
nessing the damage some of our well-intentioned adventures to our 15- to 29-year-olds but we are gathering others as well.
brought to that same group. For 20 per cent of our members, the Vineyard is their first-ever
Our history, of course, is not particularly unique. Many church home (not a percentage to be proud of but certainly far
other denominations in Canada have begun as renewal move- beyond where we were).
ments with similar charismatic beginnings. Under- Our people are engaged with their neighbour-
We’ve been
standably, we have had to face what all these oth- hoods and surrounding culture, having numbers
able to
ers encountered long before us: that revival and of significant friendships with those who don’t
renewal (like all “re” words) describe an action have a relationship with Jesus. We’re not very
venture outside
of returning to a place rather than the place itself. good at connecting Jesus’ grand story with the life
the box
We have had to learn what every married couple stories of people yet, but at least we are incarna-understands – that the key to marital love is not living continu- tionally present and we care that the stories connect. Almost
ally in a honeymoon but rather bringing the essence of that three-quarters of our members report they are more outward
passion into the ongoing context and challenge of life. focused than two years ago.
It is not that our identity or sense of purpose failed to recog- Yet this transition has been costly: many have found the
nize the call of the Great Commission. In fact, our core message journey too challenging and frustrating to continue with us.
has always simply been a reminder to the evangelical movement Church growth through evangelism is a considerably slower
to which we belong that this commission is an empowered one process than growth through renewal and it demands entirely
and that it must include all Jesus did, including His works of new skills and gifts. In many ways it feels as if we are starting
power. The renewing and (in many cases) life-changing exper- over again.
iences that occurred in our church meetings and conferences Of course, the Vineyard is not the only family of churches
were always seen as secondary and as an empowering for ser- going through this transition. Most denominations are trying
vice. Nevertheless, it is clear that over time our identity was to rise to the challenge of fully living out God’s invitation within
formed more as a renewal organization and less as a community the emerging post-Christian culture. The Church does not
of cross-cultural missionaries to our own nation. The good (our occupy the central place in society we once enjoyed but the
experience of God) actually began to become the enemy of the Church has always been most effective from the margins –
best (taking this experience to others who do not know Jesus). particularly when it has been unified. And I don’t believe there
Over the past decade we have come to the conviction that this has ever been a time when denominations have been as united
must change and it must change with us. as they are today. This gives me great hope!
To actually put into practice what we theoretically teach
has not been easy or quick. Quite frankly, it is much easier to
hold a power evangelism conference than it is to do power
evangelism. It seems noble to talk of ministry to those who are
poor; it challenges all our insecurities to develop community
Gary Best of St. Stephen, N.B., is national team leader of Vineyard Churches Canada, which has 63 congregations in Canada.
This column continues a series by affiliates of The Evangelical
Fellowship of Canada. For a list, see www.evangelicalfellowship.
ca/affiliates.
