+What to Expect at a Sunday Gathering

We are usually a gathering of about 50 people, almost all of whom call Norwood home. Our gathering is informal yet reverent, heartfelt but not polished. We highly value people of all ages worshipping together, so children stay with their parents or guardians for the first half of the gathering. After that, children up to age 10 are sent to continue worshipping and learning with other kids their age. Vineyard Central is a blend of traditional and modern elements, and is both liturgical and Spirit-led. We share the Eucharist (communion) every Sunday and see this as a vital part of our time together. There are readings from the lectionary, written and spontaneous prayers, a reflection on Scripture, and a time to pass the peace of Christ to one another.

+Leadership

Our church is led by a team of elders and a board of trustees. The elders are primarily responsible for the pastoral care of the church, while the trustees oversee legal, financial, and building-related issues. Currently, the elder team consists of Thurman Allen, Angie Ferrell, Amanda McLaughlin, Laura McNeel, and Joshua Stoxen.

+Affiliation

Vineyard Central is part of the larger Vineyard USA family of churches. We resonate strongly with their five core values**:

The Theology and Practice of the Kingdom of God
“From our beginnings Vineyard has been committed to the proclamation of the kingdom of God and to bearing witness to the deeds of the kingdom through healing (physical, emotional, and social), doing justice, and delivering those held captive by evil.”

Experiencing God
“God is eager to be known and experienced by all. We believe that God is searching for lost humanity in order to draw us into intimate relationship with Himself. In response to God’s initiative, we value the life-changing power of the experience of His presence.”

Culturally Relevant Mission
“The church exists for the sake of those who are exiled from God. We are called to bring the gospel of the kingdom to every nook and cranny of creation, faithfully translating the message of Jesus into language and forms that are relevant to diverse peoples and cultures.”

Reconciling Community
“Jesus is reconciling humans to God, to each other, and to the entire creation, breaking down divisions between Jew & Gentile, slave & free, male and female. Therefore, we are committed to becoming healing communities engaged in the work of reconciliation wherever sin and evil hold sway.”

Compassionate Ministry
“We lean toward the lost, the poor, the outcast, and the outsider with the compassion of Jesus as sinners whose only standing before God is utterly dependent on the mercy of God. This mercy can only be truly received inasmuch as we are willing to give it away.”

**Quotes are excerpts from the full descriptions of each value found here.