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The Sweet Vineyard Community Church is a satellite church plant of Vineyard Boise. Our statement of faith, philosophy of ministry and core values are congruent with the Boise church which can be researched by visiting its website at www.vineyardboise.org. |
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The Sweet Vineyard is distinctive in its culture and purpose due to the uniqueness of the geographical area in which it is located. The community of Sweet is nestled in a valley nearly an hour from the thriving city of Boise. People who live in this area have many things in common. They love Idaho and desire a less hectic and citified lifestyle. We refer to this life in the Sweet Vineyard as "Sweet Simplicity". People in this community cherish the peace and tranquility of a slower pace but at the same time they are highly relational. Many local residents commute to Boise and Emmett for employment or resources but prefer to stay in their own community as much as possible, especially on weekends. Some of the original residents in the area have discovered creative ways to maintain livelihoods in this rural setting. Some ranch, some farm, some engage in the logging industry or run heavy equipment. It is not hard to find local people who have been working the same land for three generations. Because of this, the area has attracted a unique and innovative type of people who are friendly and yet independent. Endeavoring to build a church that will be effective among a people who choose this lifestyle and culture must be distinctive in its own right. As a result the following characteristics might define or describe the culture that gives the Sweet Vineyard a unique personality of its own. |
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Laid back - Because the Sweet Vineyard desires to embrace a culture of people who by nature are relaxed and casual, its style of ministry is relaxed and casual. When we say "Come as you are", we mean it - and the common attire might be Levis, Wranglers or occasionally even overalls. The Sweet Vineyard is not formal but instead casual and welcoming to all in this rural community. |
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Real & straightforward - Because people who choose the Sweet/Montour lifestyle tend to be genuine and real, not prone to putting on airs, the Vineyard strives to be very straightforward. We are a church that doesn't beat around the bush - we preach the Gospel without apology. Above all, our goal as Christian believers is to be genuine and authentic in our walk with Christ. We want to be a people who practice what we preach and believe - every day of the week not just on Sundays. It is our desire to illuminate the character of Christ so that we may be an authentic light in our community. |
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Accommodating & hospitable - It is our heart that every person who visits the Vineyard will be warmly welcomed and embraced. We love to be together whenever we gather, and it is our intention that every new person will immediately feel a part of the family. It is our heart that the Sweet Vineyard would exist not just for the needs of those within the church walls, but for the sake of the communities God has given us to serve and bless. |
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A bit old-fashioned -Because we live in a place where people have chosen to live away from the rigors of city life, the Sweet Vineyard reflects a slower, more traditional lifestyle. It's not uncommon to see kids riding their horses down the main road or families moving cattle from one range to another together. We are a country community church and our worship style reflects a more traditional influence in our music and our fellowship. With a country bluegrass flavor our worship time is often mingled with old gospel songs. Because worshipping God is our highest priority we do so through song and music each time we gather. Another way we embrace our country roots is through fellowship - eating together has become a normal part of our community life activity. Visiting together while sipping a cup of coffee and eating homemade cookies and treats is an integral part of each Sunday service. We also plan to have many informal get-togethers such as BBQs, ice cream socials and potlucks as key components to our community life.
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Highly relational - The Sweet Vineyard truly is a friendly and welcoming place. Those who make up this fellowship love people - no matter who they are or what their background has been. One very evident characteristic of this group is their heart to welcome all who come through the doors with open arms. Grace is a word that describes what God has been doing as He establishes the personality of this new fellowship. When the reality of God's acceptance and forgiveness becomes evident in the lives of His people, the natural response is love and acceptance for those who have yet to understand the power of grace and the freedom that comes with it. |
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Naturally supernatural - Although we value being real and natural, a people without airs, we also believe inthe supernatural transforming power of Christ. We know that without the Lord in our lives we are utterly helpless as Christian people. We also recognize that "we can do everything with the help of Christ who gives us the strength we need" [Phil. 4:13]. Praying for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of others is a normal part of our life together, believing and witnessing that God can and will do miracles today. |
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Outreaching - We know that God did not birth this new work for the sake of having another church in the local Payette River communities. The Sweet Vineyard is located perfectly in a central location between the communities of Gardena, Horseshoe Bend, Montour, Ola and Emmett. It is the vision of the Sweet Vineyard to reach into all of these places with the demonstration of the love of God in practical ways. We will endeavor to do this as we become aware of the needs of those in our communities. Through the generosity and servanthood of those in our fellowship, it is our desire to contribute in a positive way in these communities through service and being a 'good neighbor'. |
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