Time Capsule - June 2005 - Who We Are by Michael Bynum

Debbie Handy found a His Handiwork newsletter she had written in June 2005. It's fun looking back to see what we were doing or thinking about. It's kind of a Time Capsule. Here's an article from that newsletter by Michael Bynum:

WHO WE ARE…

By Michael Bynum

Just who are we as a fellowship? What does it mean to be part of “Vineyard”? Our fellowship is not the only Vineyard. We belong to an association of churches that adhere to a common set of values and beliefs. Now, all vineyards don’t look alike. Neither do they function alike, but they all have the same core values and beliefs.

We believe that the community we call the Gadsden Vineyard Church belongs to God. It is not ours, so He alone should be the source of direction for us. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church”. We seek to not usurp God’s power and plans through our own plans and agendas but do seek His will for our community of believers.

God’s directions are carried out through the church government and leadership whose main responsibility is to serve the people who are committed to the fellowship. We also believe that leaders should have a servant’s heart. The people aren’t there to serve the leadership; the leadership is there to serve them.

The leadership’s authority does not exist so that it can be heavy-handed and rule over the fellowship. Authority’s main goal is to create a safe place where people can meet with God.

(In 2005) Jim Bentley is our senior pastor. Michael Bynum and Kris Catoe are our associate pastors. Our elders are Todd Bagley, Wayne Wimpee, Brook Finlayson, and Clay Rowe. They meet on the first Monday of the month to pray and to hear the needs and concerns of the fellowship.

(In 2005) The board oversees the facilities and the operations thereof. Jim Bentley is the president of the board. Debbie Handy serves as the secretary and treasurer. The other board members are Michael Bynum, Kris Catoe, Todd Bagley, Brook Finlayson, Clay Rowe, Robby Elrod, and Walt Muller. Board meetings occur approximately four times a year. (The dates are posted on the calendar in the kitchen.)

(In 2015 - Jim is senior pastor. Michael pastors Vineyard ReCovery Church. Tommy Puckett and Todd Bagley are assistant pastors. The elders are Todd Bagley, Clay Rowe, Tommy Puckett, Robby Elrod, and Walt Muller. The Board of Directors are: Jim, Todd, Clay, Robby, Walt, Tommy, and Debbie.)

Through commitment to God’s call and the purposes ordained for our church, we encourage our fellowship to be good stewards with their lives, talents, and finances, freely giving away what has been freely given to us. We’ve had some incredible things happen over the last few months, which have driven home the fact that we cannot out give God. So, we are constantly striving to become an outwardly focused. We’re not there yet, but we are working on it and getting better at it.

Matthew 5:13 states that we are the salt of the earth, not the salt of the church. We’re not here to flavor the church but to flavor the world taking out into a broken, hurting world the good news that has a difference in our lives. We seek to do this through a life of loving people.

The gospel message is more than just a formula; the message is us and the changes God has made in our lives through Jesus. It’s not just about memorizing scripture and going to church. When we minister to that broken, hurting world, we need to let God speak to us about the people to whom we are ministering, let Him give us a word for them. We should never assume that everyone is in the same place. So, our fellowship is learning how to hear God more and better than ever before. We are learning how to be equipped so that we can serve others. Thus, the motto of our fellowship is, “Equipping to Serve”.

Our highest priority as a fellowship is the pursuit of God through a lifestyle of worship unto Him, both individually and corporately. Sunday should not be the only time we worship God and read our Bible; we should be worshipping and studying His word throughout the week. We are called to be students of the Word and not have just a head full of knowledge and factoids. We value studying the Word not knowledge’s sake but as a practical guide for our daily lives. The Bible tells us how to live life, and the Holy Spirit shows us when and where we’re supposed to do it.

These are a few of our priorities. No, we are not a well-oiled machine yet, and sometimes we feel like we are flying by the seat of our pants, which is very scary. But, we are seeking God and asking Him what to do next. Over the past 21 years He has never forsaken or forgotten us, and we believe that He will faithfully continue to remember us. He is always faithful to come and meet with hungry hearts who are desperate for Him. - June 2005