Leading Vineyard Church Announces Disassociation From Denomination

The Vineyard movement, often referred to as the “mother church” of the charismatic denomination, has announced a significant shift as one of its founding congregations, Vineyard Anaheim, disassociates from the national organization. The decision, made by pastor Alan Scott and his wife, Kathryn, who have led the California church for four years, is not rooted in theological disagreements or personal grievances. Instead, Scott described the move as a response to what he and his congregation believe is a divine calling.

In a recorded Sunday service obtained by Christianity Today, Scott expressed the church’s decision as an act of obedience to the Holy Spirit, though he admitted the reasons behind the move remain unclear. “We don’t really understand why,” he said, acknowledging that the congregation does not have a definitive list of reasons or grievances. “We don’t always know what’s on the other side of obedience.”

The Vineyard Anaheim congregation has issued an official statement on its website, stating that the decision reflects “our best effort to respond to the distinct calling on our church at this time, and a desire to say yes to the Spirit.” However, the national leadership of Vineyard USA has expressed skepticism about the church’s interpretation of spiritual guidance. John Kim, a New York City pastor and member of the Vineyard USA board of trustees, described the decision as “spiritually implausible” in a series of emails obtained by Christianity Today.

Kim’s correspondence with the national leadership highlights the confusion and concern within the organization. He questioned whether the church’s process of spiritual discernment had adhered to biblical standards, noting that the explanations provided by Vineyard Anaheim left the national leadership in “bewildered astonishment, profound pain, and lack of comprehension.” The emails reveal a significant disconnect between the local congregation and the broader Vineyard movement.

The Vineyard movement, established in Southern California in 1975, has traditionally maintained a loose structure, with individual congregations operating autonomously. For the first 20 years of its existence, the national organization did not have a formal statement of faith, set standards for ordination, or track reasons for congregational departures. This decentralized model has allowed for a wide range of theological and pastoral practices across its churches.

The disassociation of Vineyard Anaheim raises questions about the future of the movement and the potential for further divisions. While the national leadership has not yet issued a formal response, the situation underscores the challenges of maintaining unity within a loosely structured denomination. As the movement continues to evolve, the decisions of individual congregations may shape its trajectory in ways that are difficult to predict.

Source: Read the original report