Partners meet regularly to aid the lead pastor and leadership team of Saint John Vineyard (SJV) in discerning vision and encouraging the ongoing development of our work of building a strong and healthy Christian community where many people can find a safe and welcome place to be encountered by God and to be developed as Christian disciples.

Our key principle of governance is "democratic in terms of participation; apostolic in terms of function." By this we mean that we will take every opinion seriously and try to do our best to lead in a way that honours the desires of all; however, based on their listening to God and the community, the leadership team will make decisions consensually, seeking to serve with faithfulness and integrity.

Participation is important to us. Anyone who is willing to accept the following responsibilities is welcome to join.

Responsibilities:
• Make meetings a priority commitment
• Make a commitment to speak honestly and express constructive personal opinions and, at the same time,
• Commit to representing Christ and our church well to others in how you speak and act (both in and out of the church)
• Demonstrate a continued desire to grow as you seek to live and love like Jesus
• Take an active role of service, faithfully volunteering, leading a ministry or intentionally mentoring others at SJV
• Make a commitment to serious financial support of SJV (tithing is encouraged as a general biblical principle)
• Participate regularly in SJV community life (gatherings, shared meals, special events, groups, etc.)

What are the Benefits?

Becoming a partner insures that you will be kept up to date on issues affecting the life of SJV. It also insures that you will have full opportunity for participation in the information-gathering stage preceding important decisions. Each month's meeting will include a time of interaction where people can give input and/or ask questions. Probably the greatest benefits will have to do with growth in ownership of our church.