Church Adoption

This adoption process provides non-Vineyard churches that share our values, priorities, and practices a pathway to join with the mission, commitments, and relationships of Vineyard USA (VUSA).

The purpose of this process, which is facilitated by Multiply Vineyard, is for the Vineyard Regional Leader (RL) and Area Leaders (AL) and the applicant to do the following: 

• Prayerfully discern that the pastor and the church have been specifically called to be a part of the Vineyard along with a major consensus of the church.
• Determine if the candidate demonstrates mature leadership, integrity, and the pastoral gifting of leading a congregation of people in Kingdom Theology.
• Assist both pastor and spouse to develop relationships within the Vineyard.
• Determine if the candidate is in agreement with the Core Values and Beliefs of the Vineyard, our general philosophy of ministry, our priorities, values, and style.
• Clarify the commitments required of Vineyard churches and pastors and be certain that the pastor and the church are willing to keep those commitments.
• Determine that the church has healthy financials, including a recommended three months in operating budget in reserves and an appropriate accountability structure in place.

Adoption Checklist for Applicant  

Multiply Vineyard is responsible to provide guidance in and facilitate the adoption process, while the sponsoring church, Area Leader (AL) and Regional Leader (RL) are responsible to walk with the adopting church on the ground as they complete the steps below (which are given to them by Multiply Vineyard in the Adoption Course).

Step 1: Learning and Discerning: 

1. • Read through information about adoption from Multiply Vineyard.
   • Read and listen to the material on the required/suggested reading and audio in the Adoption Course.
   • Seek God regarding the formal adoption process. Include your church’s elder team/board and leaders in the discernment process as much as possible. 
   • Inform the Area Leader (AL), Regional Leader (RL) and Multiply Vineyard of your intent to pursue the adoption process.

Step 2: Build Vineyard Relationships

1. • Develop relationships with Vineyard pastors – specifically your sponsoring pastor, Area, and Regional Leaders
   • Coordinate meeting times with your sponsoring church and Area Leader (AL) to begin a mentoring process with your church.
   • Attend several Vineyard events 
   • Choose at least one or more Vineyard pastor in your region to develop a closer relationship with
   • Invite Vineyard pastors to your church events

Step 3: Formal Request

1. • Communicate to the sponsoring church, Area Leader (AL) and Multiply Vineyard that you are ready to start the formal adoption release process, having built relationship and completed all the learning in the Adoption Course.
   • Complete the formal Adoption Application, which includes demonstrating a theological understanding of the Vineyard and providing a financial history of your church, among other things.

Looking for more info about the Vineyard? Go here or visit vineyardusa.org.