Operating Principles

The law of the spirit of life

'The law of the spirit of life' has become our core operating principle (Rom 8:2). It is the life-force of 'The Vine'. Just as a vine organically grows through the sap which flows from the roots so the church grows according to the measure of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." (Joh 15:5)

The branches are sustained and bear fruit as they abide in the vine. Fruitfulness comes from our union with Christ through the 'law of the Spirit of life'. We practice this by resting in His presence and gazing upon Him in worship. This is what Paul refers to when he says,

"But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Co 3:18)

The law of liberty

"But the one who looks at the perfect law of freedom and remains committed to it-thus proving that he is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of what it requires-will be blessed in what he does." (Jam 1:25)

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." (Gal 5:1)

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Co 3:17)

Allied with the 'law of the spirit of life' is our second operating principle the 'law of liberty'. Wherever the Holy Spirit's presence, the spirit of life, is welcomed freedom will result - freedom from sin and death, including religious mindsets and systems, as well as release from emotional, mental, and spiritual prisons. Wholeness and healing of the whole person will result.

These two operating principles will affect how we do leadership.

Leadership Principles

Minimalist leadership structure

A vine spreads and grows predominantly outwards, rather than upwards. Its dynamic is counter to the human aspiration to centralize and build towers (Babel). The original mandate for humanity was to spread out to decentralise, multiply, and fill the earth. We are, therefore, committed to an approach which while it promotes true spiritual authority, rejects traditional hierarchy and position-based authority -

This outworks through team ministry in both the local and trans-local spheres. In the fully re-formed and restored body of Christ pastoral teams (elders) will oversee the church of the city (local) both in its micro and macro configurations. Apostolic/prophetic teams will oversee the pastoral teams (elders) of multiple cities (trans-local). The traditional position of the one-man or senior pastor does not appear in the first century record. In addition, unlike most denominational and network structures (franchise-church) the Bible does not warrant any church construct beyond the civil jurisdictions of a city. The New Testament record does not show the church of a region, state, province, or nation. Rather, it is apostolic relationships (in contrast to organisational structures) that provide any sense of connection beyond the church of the city.

In summary, there is no organisational hierarchy of ministry (devolving from apostles/bishops, to pastors, to elders, and then deacons); neither is there any centralised HQ. Why is their no hierarchy and no centralised control? Because Christ alone is head of the church - He is the senior minister - in fact, the Chief-Shepherd (for a fuller understanding of leadership and the city-church see

Therefore, 'The Vine', consists of organic community functioning through 'simple' churches. There are no formal rules, membership, organizational or hierarchical controls. Instead each 'simple' church is shepherded by a team and completely free to pursue their unique expression and destiny. Union with Christ in the Holy Spirit is the glue of our outward expansion. Consequently, each 'simple' church has freedom to receive or reject apostolic policy or personnel. Even so, the normal functioning of the body will involve cooperative partnership as local eldering/shepherding teams receive the spiritual authority of trans-local apostolic teams.

Apostolic/prophetic paradigm

The 'stock' of the vine is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the foundation and chief cornerstone. Alignment for the dwelling place of God, the temple, comes from Him and is in measure conveyed through the foundational ministries of apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20; 2 Cor 3:12). The mature authority and full effectiveness of apostles and prophets is determined by their own alignment with the chief cornerstone, Christ. To the measure they are intimate with Him to that measure they provide foundational alignment for God's dwelling place, the church. In this way they spearhead the expansion of God's kingdom in the earth as an extension of the ascended Christ, who is THE Apostle and Prophet.

However, the spirit and nature of true apostolic/prophetic ministry, in our understanding, is very different to much of the current popular emphasis. The current emphasis has not fully recovered from the Constantinian confusion of spheres. The previously separate spheres of state and church were confused with the conversion of Emperor Constantine. Secular styles of leadership which had already begun to infiltrate the church through Ignatius in the second century with the introduction of ministry office were completely consolidated by the fourth through Constantine. The confusion between official authority (state) and spiritual authority (church) has been deeply injurious through the centuries and must be fully reformed for the restoration of true apostolic/ prophetic authority.

Foundations are never visible (except in the early building stage), but they are highly structural and strategic in undergirding the strength and effectiveness of the house. This conveys the principle of spiritual authority through humility and sacrificial servanthood (Matt 20:25-28).

The lack of organizational structure, however, does not negate the reality of spiritual authority, which may be expressed in fatherly care or correction. This authority though functions relationally flowing from the ascended Christ through those who are called and given to the body as apostles, prophets, and teachers, as the lead foundational ministries (Eph 2:22; 4:11; 1 Cor 12:28). Even so, as already stated the reception by 'simple' churches of apostolic policy and personnel is entirely discretionary.

For a fuller understanding of leadership/authority issues in the current reformation see articles:

Or chapter 9, 'Idolatry and Human Leadership', from David Orton's book, "Snakes in the Temple - Unmasking Idolatry in Today's Church"

Community Principles

Dynamic life connexion: Wells or fences?

The story goes that a visitor to the Australian outback commented on the fact that the cattle stations (ranches) had no fences. The grazier (rancher) responded, "You don t need fences when you have wells!"

This vividly illustrates our operating principle of the 'spirit of life in Christ Jesus' in regard to our relationships. This is a dynamic connexion. We have union and communion to the degree that we are moving together to the well, the person of Jesus Christ. This contrasts with traditional church membership which is a static connexion, determined by formalized membership. Under this system all that is required to be a member is to be on the right side of the fence - "Sign on the dotted line!" Unfortunately, this does not necessarily facilitate movement to the well. However, it does look good for the stats! This explains why traditional church membership might fill the church with nominal attendees in contrast to those who are moving in unity towards the person of Jesus.

Our approach then is to dig wells rather then build fences.

Consequently, there is no formalised membership for joining either a 'simple' church or the network. We have community to the degree we are all moving towards the well, who is the Lord the Spirit (2 Cor 3:17).

'Simple' churches relate to 'The Vine' either through planting or engrafting. They will either be planted through 'The Vine' itself or they may be a group whose origins have been independent but wish to relate. 'The Vine' leaders relate through one-on-one connections and regular leadership gatherings called 'Leadershift Days'. However, these gatherings are much larger than 'The Vine', including those from various networks and affiliations.

'The Vine' is not a legal or organisational entity. It is merely a name to describe an informal and fluid network of apostolic relationships.

Unity in diversity

Unity is not uniformity. Our unity is of the Spirit. It cannot be defined merely by styles and structures. In fact, these will be diverse according to the leading of the Spirit, calling, gifting, and the cultural context. Just as a body has the same spirit but many members so too the body of Christ. This is unity in diversity.

What we believe

While Christianity does have a body of belief (e.g. the Apostle's Creed), which in essentials is non negotiable, mental assent is not sufficient for the knowledge of God. Merely accepting a belief system does not guarantee the knowledge of God, rather it merely gives knowledge about God. God is spirit, and those who would worship Him must worship Him in spirit (see John 4:24). Knowledge of the enscripturated word is worthy, but without the Spirit does not convey the knowledge of Him who is the Word. In fact, the letter can kill but the Spirit gives life:

"God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Co 3:6)

In Jesus' day the Jews, the guardians of biblical orthodoxy, idolised the Scripture (letter) but crucified the living Word (spirit):

"You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life." (Joh 5:38-40)

This too is the difference between fences and wells. We have built doctrinal fences (letter) but not dug living wells (spirit).

In matters of belief though, we echo the ancient call, "Unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things."

Top of Page