A Golden Anniversary is a major milestone for a married couple. When a man and woman have arrived at this heady number, it speaks highly of their commitment, their perseverance, their willingness to struggle through together whatever comes their way. If they have done all this with solid doses of love and humor and even more doses of humility and forgivenesses and compromises, then ‘Hats off!’ ‘Bravo!’ ‘Kudos!’ ‘Chapeau!’ Time to party! Time for champagne! Time for embarrassing photos to appear (like the wedding pics of yore, complete with incredible hair styles on the ladies and long-forgotten hair on the men!). So, yes, a big event is called for to mark the momentous occasion.

But for us, as Vineyardites, whether fairly new to the family, or longstanding members, this year, 2024, is the Fiftieth Anniversary of our movement! In the US, that’s about 500 churches spread across all 50 states. That translates into thousands of people joining from many different backgrounds, with different personalities, different giftings, different ideas. We have survived lots of mini-movements, fights, betrayals, disappointments, setbacks, plus smaller spats and nitpicking. This week, in Cincinnati, Ohio, we are celebrating those 50 years and the giants who have gone before us, leading the charge, encouraging others to know the Father’s heart in a more intimate way than they’ve ever known before.

This gathering in Ohio is themed, Seed & Soil, referring to the heavenly Seed, which is the pure Word of the Gospel, being sent into fertile Soil, which is our hearts. This is where we began, and at this 50-year anniversary, we are celebrating what was, but perhaps more importantly, what will be. This week we’ll be seeing plenty of old photos and Hawaiian shirts (which were almost our pastoral ‘collar’ back in the day here in the US). But, most of all, there’ll be the presence of building excitement as we position ourselves for what ‘new’ the Lord has in store for this little family in His Kingdom called the Vineyard. Family is good, y’all!  PD

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