Introducing Vineyard Catalyst Network
As leaders of Ranges Community Church, Scott and I have been on a transforming journey during the last year or so. Through much reading and prayer we have decided to change the leadership structure of Ranges, and we are seeking to be more missional/outward focussed. Much of our thinking and impetus for change has been shaped by writers such as Alan Hirsch and his writing, Frank Viola (Re-imagining Church), and Neil Cole (Organic Church).
We have created a new entity called Vineyard Catalyst Network. VCN will oversee Ranges Community Church. The Network is associated with the Vineyard, and we are looking closely at adopting the revised American Vineyard values. We were pleased to see the emphasis on these values at the national Vineyard gathering. We have chosen the word Catalyst to capture the desire of the network to encourage new missional/faith community initiatives. The network will be made up of small to medium size groups that are reflective of the communities in which they are located. The purpose statement is:
“The Vineyard Catalyst Network serves to facilitate the implementation and support of missional faith communities through the provision of legal and financial infrastructure, training, peer mentoring and accountability.”
At this stage we have three communities, and a couple of potential communities.
Ranges Community Church
2. F.I.N.D – facilitated by John and Chris van der Marel, located in Neerim South, Gippsland. John also works for Youth for Christ and both Chris and John attended YVVCF a number of years ago.
3. Catherine and Andrew Johnston, based in Croydon. Cat used to be the Youth Pastor at YVVCF a couple a years ago.
We have set up a website for Vineyard Catalyst Network which contains minimal information at this point in time. The address is http://vcatalystnetwork.wordpress.com/
Finally, we are particularly inspired at the moment by Vineyard Central, a network of house churches in Ohio, USA. We are really interested in how they have structured themselves, the values they espouse, and how this new but ancient way of thinking about church plays out in the Vineyard. You can read more about Vineyard Central here - http://www.vineyardcentral.com/
awesome, awesome, awesome. i am priveleged to be able to read as you guys share some of the journey on here. kevin and dave are good friends of mine, and they are all really, really great people there at vineyard central. i too love the nature of what they are doing in norwood…
i can’t wait to hear more about what God does.
peace
Hi Steve, Thanks for the encouragement. I should also add that you left the vineyard central link for us to connect on to. They have already by reading there web site learnt some lessons which we can now avoid. Its been great that you have been leaving some comments along the way.
[...] has written an introduction to the Vineyard Catalyst Network. The actual site (quite empty at the moment) is over [...]
all said and done » Vineyard Catalyst Network said this on July 7, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Thank you! I’m looking forward to this journey together.