Heritage Matters

This has really stood out for me recently. Especially as the Lord seems to be stirring the Vineyard in Scotland and Ireland. We just had a couple of regional meetings with John and Ellie Mumford, National Directors of Vineyard Churches UK. Today was a general leader's day where John and Ellie, along with Steve Barber from Southend told stories of the old days, where they had come from, where we had come from. For some of our guys it was important to hear their heritage. Yesterday I was really priveledged to lead worship for a senior pastor's meeting of the Celtic churches (Although I broke a "D" string for the first time in months, thanfully in the last song).


There seems to be a realisation in the Vineyard to really hold on to and, more importantly defend and pass down our inheritance in the kingdom. The Vineyard isn't always the bee knees but it's our family, and those of us that have been around for a while need to keep telling the old stories as we create new ones. In the last 6 months I've heard declarations on this from leaders and friends, such as Lance Pittluck, Wendy O'Connell, Matt Turrigianno and the pastors at Friday's meeting. Whether it's been in a sermon, such as Lance at our local leader's conference in June, or Matt at the worship retreat, or just a heartfelt passionate statement such as made by Wendy at a recent meeting, I think the Lord is in it.

Heritage matters, we have an outward focus to the whole body (quite rightly) but the Vineyard is called to be who we are and nothing else. I sat up last night watching the Martin Scorcese doc. "Red White and Blue" about the British blues boom. I was inspired by the footage of Jeff Beck playing blinding, raw, emotional guitar recreating, along with Van Morrison, and Tom Jones et al, the songs that made up their musical heritage. Regardless of the fashion or the fad it's when we are true to ourselves we really shine.