Association of Vineyard Churches Adopts Egalitarianism

The Vineyard USA Board's Policy on Women in Ministry

In response to the message of the kingdom, the leadership of the Vineyard movement will encourage, train, and empower women at all levels of leadership both local and trans-local. The movement as a whole welcomes the participation of women in leadership in all areas of ministry (Berten Waggoner Letter to Vineyard Pastors, p.3)

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This decision is not a dictate passed down from the national leadership. Pastors continue to be free to handle these issues acording to their convictions within the context of their local churches. It is simply a description if how we will act toward women in leadership as we endeavor to lead the Vineyard movement in the U.S. at the national level (ibid., 4)

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Please bear in mind that we have simply addressed the issue of whether to restrict someone from trans-local leadership positions in the Vineyard based on gender. We are not speaking to the questions of marital or family roles as this has never been a prominent concern in our movement (ibid.)

Technorati Tags: Association_of_Vineyard_Churches_USA, egalitarianism, Vineyard+Church, womeninminstry

Comments

[Pete Williamson]

"In response to the message of the kingdom" - does that mean the Scriptures or is this another message (or the message of another kingdom)? do they deal with any of the relevant passages at all?

[Kevin Cawley]

NONE.

[Trey]

Can't say I am all that shocked.

[Paul Schafer]

Makes you want to burn your U2 Cds, oops I mean your Vineyard Church CDs.