How to become a Vineyard pastor

A frequent question sent to VBI is, 'how does one become a Vineyard Pastor', or, 'Will studying through VBI qualify me to become a Vineyard pastor'.

The following points answer this question:

1. The Vineyard movement worldwide is manifest in a number of associations of churches in various countries. Each Association of Vineyard Churches is an independent body, with its own governance. Therefore the way people become pastors is subject to each AVC. Further information on AVC's will be found at http://www.vineyard.org
2. Although each AVC is self-governed, we share common values and a common philosophy of ministry. I am therefore fairly confident that the approach outlined below is reflective of the various AVC's.
3. The only thing that qualifies one for ministry in the Vineyard is doing ministry. Those who are released into leadership, at home group, staff, or senior pastor level, or who are backed to do church plants, are those who have already shown their ability to minister, under existing Vineyard leadership and supervision. In fact the norm is for leaders to be raised up within local churches through a standard process called recruit/train/deploy/monitor/nurture. This process is described in detail in a VBI course on John Wimber's Pastoral Letters (Volume I). Previous experience in other churches, or other movements/denominations does not lead to automatic recognition. The reason is that the values, priorities and practices of the previous situation may be significantly different from the Vineyard.
4. By 'doing ministry' we mean, winning or gathering people and discipling them. This will include models of ministry that are classic to the Vineyard, such as is covered in the Five Step Healing Model (covered in the VBI Courses Kingdom II and Kingdom III). The primary opportunities for learning such ministry is in home groups, other kinds of small groups (ministry teams, recovery groups etc.) and in Sunday services during what we call 'ministry time'. Learning to preach and teach, and give wise counsel, is part of the same cluster of learned skills. Such learned skills are what a senior pastor will look for before someone is released into leadership.
5. The Vineyard gives high priority to 'equipping the saints'. Therefore various forms of training are offered to help people develop the skills described under 4. One of the ways in which such training is made available is through VBI. If you examine the various diplomas, you will find that they focus on various competencies. The kingdom of God diploma has three tracks, on the kingdom, on apologetics, and on philosophy of ministry. This diploma enables the student to grasp the preached message of the Vineyard (our essential theology), the way we have replied to criticism arising from preaching and demonstrating the kingdom (words and works of Jesus), and the way we 'do church', or our philosophy of ministry. The diploma on biblical theology enables the student to interpret and exegete scripture within the classic norms of conservative evangelical theology. The diploma on practical theology will enable students to understand the way we work in the local church, the nature of the local church, its various parts and ministries, and the local church as a base for mission. The diploma on pastoral theology will train the student in biblical counseling and in life skills materials.
6. Therefore, doing VBI will help you enormously to develop ministry competencies within the theology and philosophy of ministry of the Vineyard. However, you can only demonstrate the difference it has made within a local church, and under the supervision of established Vineyard leaders, as described under 3 and 4 above.
7. Some AVC's require emerging leaders to complete selected VBI diplomas.