Baptism and communion as ordinances; healing prayer as central practice
Vineyard observes believer's baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper as ordinances — meaningful acts of obedience and declaration, not sacramental channels of saving grace. Baptism follows conversion and is a public confession of faith; communion is a regular memorial of Christ's death and an anticipation of his return. These are practiced regularly and reverently across Vineyard churches.
A distinctive Vineyard practice is 'ministry time' — structured prayer for healing, inner healing, deliverance, and other needs — at the end of services. While not formally classified as a sacrament, this practice occupies a quasi-liturgical role in Vineyard communities as the place where God's Kingdom power is expected to touch ordinary lives. This is one of the most consistent and theologically developed practices in the Vineyard movement.
Key Distinctions
- Term used:
- ordinances
- Sacrament count:
- two (Baptism and Lord's Supper)
- Baptism mode:
- immersion
- Baptism recipients:
- believers only
- Eucharist presence:
- symbolic memorial; Kingdom presence emphasized
Scripture References
Sources
- Vineyard USA Statement of Faith
- John Wimber, Power Healing