Love that is genuine is always offered without condition or negotiation between the giver and the receiver. It is not the result of a promise of future performance on the part of any party. Further, putting this kind of genuine love first and last in every situation keeps us in the abiding Presence of God. Love first heals and then seals every relational problem. Offering genuine love mirrors the absolute love that Christ extends to us.

Relationships of openness and honesty allow us to drop our mask and image that we can unconsciously present to the world. In this way we live experiencing the intentional freedom and joy before people, just as we do before God. Open and honest relationships banish gossip and slander. They require us to speak to people, not speak about them.

Believing the best about people does not mean ignoring their faults. We’re seeking to discover the hidden treasure their Creator has placed within them. We all are a work in progress and therefore deserving of mercy, grace and love. When we believe the best about one another, we lay the foundations of grace and honor on which we can build an atmosphere to grow deepening relationships.

Declaring our commitment to others is often the best way of receiving and understanding God’s commitment to us. Scripture is God’s declaration of commitment to humanity. His whole heart is in His Word to us. When we declare our commitments, our heart follows them as well.

Truth expressed in compassion and love can bring healing to others. Truth is not just about being right, because inherent in Truth is the mandate of doing right. Grace extended will establish a place that allows acceptance and truth to combine with loving kindness… making people whole.

Each person has gifts, however they can carry us further than our character can sustain. Growing in character will enhance and stabilize our gifts.

Giving is at the center of God’s heart. If God can pass it through us, He will give it to us.

Because God is the creator and giver of all things, Stewardship is the commitment to involve God in everything. When The Holy Spirit rules our life and identity, we strive to be in full cooperation with Him.Believing the best about people does not mean ignoring their faults. We’re seeking to discover the hidden treasure their Creator has placed within them. We all are a work in progress and therefore deserving of mercy, grace and love. When we believe the best about one another, we lay the foundations of grace and honor on which we can build an atmosphere to grow deepening relationships.

Vinelife is not affiliated with any denomination or “type” or group of church organizations or structures. Vinelife is not subordinate to any other organization nor does it supervise any other church organizations. There is no question that we have been the beneficiary of information and experience from many streams of Christian belief and practice. We are very much part of the greater Body of Christ, we identify with that Body as a whole and recognize that other parts of the Church have much to contribute as well.

Vinelife is charismatic in its beliefs. What we mean is the modern definition of conferring of divine power and talents – known as “gifts”. We acknowledge the contemporary nature of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the reality of signs and wonders and the application and interpretation of tongues. We pray for and have experienced supernatural healing both inner person and in the flesh.

So in terms of general identity, Vinelife is a community of “born again” and those in the process of being “born again” believers led by the living Word of God and the Holy Spirit, committed to living and sharing the “Good News” and operating in power promised by Jesus in John 16:5-15 (below) and described in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (also below).

John 16: 5-15

[5] “Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ [6] Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. [7] But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: [9] in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; [10] in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; [11] and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

[12] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

1 Corinthians 12: 27-31

[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. [28] And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? [31] But eagerly desire the greater gifts.