Four Journeys
life
Four Journeys
Explore - Discipleship - Leadership - Multiply
At Life Vineyard Church we want to help facilitate your spiritual growth and relationship with Jesus. From exploring faith, growing as a leader and everything in between, we want to support you in developing your faith.
To help you grow, we have created four journeys: Explore, Discipleship, Leadership and Multiply. Within each journey are groups, courses and events that you can join in with.
Everyone's faith journey is different and so we want to help you think through what the next steps in your journey and development might be. So, at the back of this booklet is a year plan for you to complete. This will help you think through your growth priorities for the year ahead and map out what activities, events and courses will help you move forward.
We really hope these journeys help you and we are excited to journey together.
If you have any questions please get in touch with the LVC office: office@lifevineyard.church.
Explore Journey
Explore Church
- Newcomers Meal
If you are new to Life Vineyard Church and would like to understand the church's vision, find out how Jesus called David and Nicola to plant the church and the story so far, then we would love you to sign-up for a newcomers meal. They take place throughout the year, so please check the connect card for the next one.
- Vineyard 101
If LVC is the church you are now calling home, then we would love to invite you Vineyard 101. This is a two evening introduction to the vision and values of the church and what it looks like to be a member of LVC. We would encourage everyone who is starting their journey with LVC to come along to Vineyard 101.
- Coffee and chat
If you are new to LVC, one of our pastors would love to meet you for a coffee and chat. This is very informal and is an opportunity for you to ask questions and find out more about the church. Please let the office know and they will organise a time for you. The email is office@lifevineyard.church
Explore Faith
- Alpha Alpha is an opportunity to explore the big questions of life and the Christian faith in a friendly and informal environment. Alpha has been running all over the world for the last couple of decades and nearly 30 million people have taken part.
Each week we watch a video on Zoom, or in person, looking at a different aspect of faith and then we have a time of discussion together. Please check the connect card or website for the dates for our next course. We would love you to explore faith through Alpha.
- Bible Basics
Bible Basics is a 6 week course that explores the big overarching story of the Bible. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of Jesus and God’s story that we are all part of. This course will be in-person.
Please check the connect card or website for dates for our next course.
- Coffee and chat
If you are exploring faith, one of our pastoral team would love to meet you for a coffee and chat. Please let the office know and they will organize a time for you. The email is office@lifevineyard.church
Explore LVC and Faith
Discipleship Journey
At LVC we want to create opportunities for each person to grow in their faith. Throughout the year there will be Life Groups or Circles to join, courses to attend, opportunities to study the Bible and more. We want everyone to take a journey of discipleship. You can use the ‘My Growth Plan’ at the back of this booklet to plan out your year and be intentional about developing your faith and relationship with Jesus.
Groups
Mid-week groups are the spine of discipleship and pastoral care here at LVC. We would strongly encourage anyone who calls LVC home to join either a Life Group or Circle.
Life Groups
Life Groups are such an essential part of our community and are great opportunities to pray, worship and encourage one another. We have groups that meet in-person and online. Each group is different and they meet in a variety of places across the area. It couldn’t be easier for you to join one, just have a look at the list and choose one that suits what you’re looking for. You’re very welcome to join more than one and drop us a line if you have any questions about a group that you’re interested in.
Circles
Circles are our new midweek friendship and discipleship resources. In a nutshell 6-8 people decide they are going to be a Circle, they choose a resource booklet (written by members of LVC) and over a term journey together through the eight or so sessions. Each session has a core (30 mins), additional (45 mins) and extension (60 min plus) options. This allows for flexibility in the time set aside to meet. On busy weeks you could choose to meet for 30 mins on zoom, another week you might decide to get together for the 90 minute session over a drink. The sessions can flex around the group's needs.
The goal of Circles is to enable everyone to engage with midweek discipleship and fellowship in a way that fits in with life. Whether that be lunch time, breakfast, evening, weekends, online, in person, etc. The group can decide and make it work for them.
Sign up!
Check out the Life Groups or Circles pages on our website www.lifevineyard.church/life-groups www.lifevineyard.church/circles
Here are some of our life group leaders:
Discipleship Journey
Discipleship Journey
Courses & Training
Bible Basics
Bible Basics is a 6 week course looking at the overview of the Bible’s grand story. Highly recommended for all.
Courses run in the winter and spring terms fortnightly on a Wednesday evening.
Vineyard Theology
Vineyard Theology is a video resource that helps you go deeper in your understanding of the Bible.
Groups meet in-person, monthly on a Wednesday.
Holy Spirit Ministry 101
We believe that as followers of Jesus we are empowered and equipped by the Holy Spirit to release freedom and extend the Kingdom. This course is a two week practical introduction to ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit and will focus on praying for healing and growing in the prophetic.
The course will be in person and is highly recommended for anyone who wants to grow in their understanding and confidence in the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Marriage MOT
This is an annual event where married couples can spend an evening having a great meal and exploring how they can nurture their marriage so that it flourishes. We believe that just like a car needs an annual check to stay healthy, so does every marriage.
Keep a look out for the Marriage MOT date in the New Year.
Parenting for Faith
How do we support our children to grow up knowing Jesus and growing in faith? What role do parents play in nurturing faith in their children? These are just a couple of questions that are covered in the Parenting for Faith evening.
Keep a look out for the next parenting for faith date in the New Year.
Leadership Journey
Leadership Journey
of the most important and foundational aspects of leadership. Leadership Essentials is the perfect place to grow in understanding and insight alongside others at LVC.
This course is free and is for any and all current or emerging leaders or those interested in exploring leadership.
Curriculum
The curriculum is made up of a series of pre-recorded video sessions delivered by leaders from across the Vineyard movement, both nationally and internationally.
These sessions are centred around the Five Characteristics of Leadership, and act as an introduction to leadership skills and responsibilities.
Five Characteristics of Leadership
- Vision and Calling
Understanding vision and calling and its importance in ministry.
- Spiritual and Emotional Capacity
Recognise and understand the importance of self-awareness and strategic living.
- Communication
Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of key factors involved in communication.
- Leadership and Multiplication
Demonstrate an understanding of the theology of leadership and its importance.
- Gathering and Mission
Recognise and understand the role of gathering in the process of ministry.
Leadership Meetings
We want the leaders at Life Vineyard Church to be inspired and equipped to lead well. Our leaders' meetings are a place to share news, receive specific leadership teaching and training and to pray together as leaders for each other and the wider church. These meetings are an essential part of our leadership development journey.
Leaders' Retreat
If you are a leader here at LVC we would love to invite you to our leaders retreat. This is a fantastic opportunity to gather together for prayer, teaching around spiritual practices, worship and lunch. Leadership starts with our inner life with Jesus and so we want to invest in growing personally.
This is taking place on Saturday the 12th October 2024. It will start at 10am and draw to a close at 2pm. It will be held at the Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
Newbiggin Maritime Centre Church Point, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland, NE64 6DB
Leadership Conference
Every year we host a leadership conference day with a guest speaker where we gather with other leaders from Vineyard churches across the North East. These days will be focused on nurturing and equipping leaders to lead well.
The Allen The Green Wallsend NE28 7NP
May 17th 2025 10am - 4pm
National Vineyard Leadership Gathering (Nottingham)
This is the moment each year where leaders from around the movement gather under one roof, for the re-envisioning of hearts, the stirring of the Spirit and the regathering of a family.
Whether you are a seasoned pastor or a newly-appointed ministry leader, you are invited to come and join an expectant tribe as we gather around God’s presence.
Vineyard Leadership Gathering A: 28th - 29th April 2025
Vineyard Leadership Gathering B: 1st - 2nd May 2025
Leadership Journey
Multiply Journey
The Leadership College is a key step in our movement’s pathway for leadership. That means that it could form part of your journey towards vocational ministry in the Vineyard.
It comprises of a year-long intensive part-time programme for those experiencing a compelling call to leadership and seeking to invest in that call in an intentional and deliberate way. We anticipate that many of those stepping into vocational ministry or church planting in the coming years, will be graduates of the Leadership College. If you haven’t participated in Leadership Essentials before, then this can be combined with the Leadership College.
A training environment for the whole movement
The Leadership College is an evolution of a course that was run in the Scottish Vineyard churches for a number of years before we then launched across the entire movement in September 2022. It is aimed at students aged 21+ and you could be among some of the first students graduating and stepping into the next phase of your calling.
Church Based
You do not need to move house or church to study with the Leadership College. In fact the opposite is true, the home base for your learning and development is your local Vineyard church.
Multi-Campus
The other focal point for your course will be your nearest College campus, of which there are 6 spread across the nation. For those who live more than 45 minutes travel distance away from the campus, there is the option to participate in an interactive online hybrid classroom connected to your campus, meaning that you only need to attend in-person approximately once per month.
The campuses are located in: Nottingham (Midlands Campus)
York (North England Campus)
Aberdeen (Scotland campus)
Feltham, London (South England and London Campus) Cardiff (Wales and South West England Campus)
Belfast (Ireland campus)
Multiply Journey
Multiply Journey
Training Programme
This is a year-long part-time intensive course designed to accelerate the development of your understanding and the depth of your discipleship. It involves a significant time commitment, including attendance at the campus (either in-person or online) for a whole day on a Thursday, during the two 11-week terms and one 10-week term.
The 4 Ministry Values
Education
The course follows a curriculum which has been designed by experienced and seasoned leaders from around the movement. It has been shaped by educators in a way that takes account of the most recent research into how people learn and process information in a way that sticks.
Community
It says in the book of Proverbs that “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
As soon as the College year starts, a rich and deep sense of mutuality and friendship will begin to form amongst the students, as a beautifully diverse student body is moulded by the Holy Spirit into a learning and growing community. These relationships will be formational during the journey and last for many years to come.
Core Content
Transformation
Our intention is to create an environment in which your growth in knowledge and understanding is matched by a similar level of growth in faith, and expectation. Our desire is that each student would experience a significant measure of healing and spiritual development throughout the course of the year.
Caught and Taught
As well as high quality taught content from leaders and experts from the Vineyard around the world, a central aspect of the course is access; access to the leadership culture of your own church, and to many of the leaders at the heart of our movement. Deliberate space is created for informal conversation and observation, and there will be plenty of interaction and opportunity to ask questions.
All the students of the Leadership College will follow a core curriculum, which is focussed around these characteristics, which are:
- Vision and Calling
- Spiritual and Emotional Capacity
- Evangelism and Mission
- Leadership and Multiplication
- Communication
As well as these core practical topics, all College students follow a foundational theological curriculum, centred around several modules of Vineyard Theological Training.
Practical Placement
It’s essential that everything that is being learned in the classroom finds its way into practical activity and ongoing development beyond the classroom. To this end, each student is provided with a significant opportunity to apply their learning in their local church setting.
Personal Mentor
During what is an intense season of growth and challenge, each student is supported and cared for by a personal mentor from their local church. This is a safe environment to surface long-held struggles and to work through patterns of thought and behaviour, as well as to laugh and to pray.
Key Dates 2024
September
• Holy Spirit 101 - Wednesday 18th and 25th September
October
• Vineyard Leadership - First Monday of the month from October
• Vineyard Theology - 2nd Wednesday from October
• Newcomers Meal - 4th October
• Leaders Retreat - Saturday 12th October
• Bible Basics - Wednesday 16th October to 20th November (6 week course)
November
Newcomers Meal - 22nd November
2025
January
• Vineyard 101 - Friday 10th and 17th January
• Alpha - Starting January 2025
February
• Newcomers Meal - 14th February
• Marriage MOT - 28th February - need to check date!!!!!
April
• Parenting for Faith - 5th April
• Vineyard Leadership Gathering A - 28th - 29th April (Nottingham)
May
• Vineyard Leadership Gathering B - 1st - 2nd May (Nottingham)
• Newcomers Meal - 9th May
• North East Leaders Conference - 17th May
June
• Vineyard 101 - Friday 6th and 20th June
• Beloved Womens Conference - 28th June
July
• Holy Spirit 101 - Wednesday 2nd and 9th July
Key Dates
What are my strengths? Where have I grown in my Faith in the last 12 months?
What areas of my Faith would I like to develop and grow in?
My Growth Plan
What are my three priorities? 1. 2. 3.
My Four Journeys Year
• What will my priorities be each month?
• What four journeys activities will I join?
• What other activities or resources will I use and when?
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER
My Growth Plan
