values

A place of grace
We don’t want to put expectations on people who come in. We want them to feel liberated, not under the misapprehension that they need to conform to a religious life to be saved or to be any good – or to be loved. We’d like this to be the main hallmark of the church.

Non-religious
We want the church to be known as a relational place, not a place of religiosity.

Teachable
We want the church to be a place where we are open to the instruction of the Holy Spirit and see direction as a positive force for drawing us closer to the Lord Jesus and not an “enforcer”.

Serving hearts
We want an attitude of humility to run like a name through a stick of rock in the church from top to bottom down.

People before programmes
We are interested in growing people, not getting the task done to look good or be proficient. Structure will be hidden by a people focus, like a skeleton is hidden with skin. (Quality of time with people v quantity of ministries.)

Generosity unlimited
As freely as we have received ourselves we want to freely give to others, in gratitude for all that God has done for us.

Respectful to all
We want to be a place where people are treated as grown-ups and therefore trusted to make their own choices. We will offer guidance, but not authoritarian leadership. Ultimately, people are free to make their own choices. Otherwise, we don’t speak in love, we speak in rules.

Gentle honesty
We want to be aware of emotions when speaking the truth to anyone. We will not be afraid to confront issues, but we shall do this with sensitivity, openness and honesty, not hiding behind piety or ‘super-spirituality’.

Being contemporary, but respecting the old
We want to embrace the challenge of postmodernity. We recognise there is value in church traditions, including symbolism, liturgy, hymns and celebrating season events, e.g. Harvest Festival. However, we want to attempt to reimagine these practices in a Vineyard setting, which will mean thinking these through in a contemporary and non-religious way.

Unity with all Christians
We want to respect local churches and their own traditions and see ourselves as being in unity with them. Although we offer a different expression of Christianity we want to be known as belonging to the one church in South Suffolk.

Being real with God and one another
This is what converted Andrew and won us over to adopting the Vineyard as our spiritual home. We want that to be experienced by all in the church.

Intimacy with God
We want to be a people who don’t stay distant in our relationship and experience of an almighty God. We want to create disciples who become true friends of God.

Biblical teaching with practical application
We want to teach the Bible for all its worth, which means expository and topical teaching. We want to open the Bible’s meaning so everyone can hear God’s voice speaking to them. Teaching must, therefore, be practical to help us live a life truly fulfilled in Christ.

Space to be still
We want to bring a contemplative spirit to church life that provides peace and stillness in a frantic, fast-moving world.

Passionate worship
We want our worship to come from the heart and be expressive. We want to be a people who love spending time in His presence as much as hearing his Word.

Intercessory prayer
We want to be a people who seek God, hear from Him and act on his words. Therefore, intercession and prayer is a high priority.

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