Vineyard

Dear Bro./Vineyard Letter

note: When you read this please pay attention to the facts. The facts are the issue here, not the emotions or charactor of the individuals involved.

Nov. 14, 1984

Dear Bro. Don Enclosed is a copy of an informal letter which I read, and explained, to Pastor Charlie (last name withheld) in my home.

The letter is self-explanatory.

At the last King's Chapel meeting, when my husband tried to bring to memory certain facts, my husband was sneered at, of course this caused me to stand up, and I strongly reminded the people present that once before we had gotten up in a similar meeting and tried to warn King's Chapel and Mike about the results we foresaw at the time - and we were laughed and ridiculed at that time also. We now have the sad results to contend with. The (name withheld) family has served King's Chapel and (name of ministry withheld) with the same fervency as we have served Jesus. The only time we ever went against anyone was because of Vineyard. Even at present we can see how Mike and Randy use (name of ministry withheld) as an endorsement. At least, this is the feeling that is left after reading their brochures, etc. I emplore you to take a close look at the fruit of Vineyard and not just the gifts. As a spiritual leader, and our Christian brother, it is only right for us to let you know our side. Therefore, I would appreciate an appointment, as I would like to share with you further. I truly desire to help and not to harm. Thank you for your understanding. Faithfully yours, Irene (last name withheld)

I read this letter that I am attaching to the pastor: Aug. 30, 1984.

The church had it's last church service Jan. 6, 1985.

Many lives have been hurt because of what happened in King's Chapel. The first pastor of King's Chapel now has a Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Manhattan. The second pastor that I read the attached letter to, as far as I know his is not a pastor any more. The spirit of Vineyard is very dangerous. I am writting this letter to you in the hope that the "Church" will not go on being blind to Vineyard. In His service, Irene(last name withheld) William(last name withheld)

Page-1

Who or what do you say Vineyard is? If you say Vineyard is good, then that is the trouble, you're blind, If you say bad, then why would you have dealings with them at the expense of the flock God has given you? Vineyard isn't just a doctrine we disagree with, it's a blinding spirit, a dividing spirit. When given disernment about it, it causes a nauseous disturbing feeling, a feeling of being attacked, a feeling of being threatened, a feeling of something being stolen and lost, a sense of real confussion, like a hurricane or tornado it leaves devastation everywhere it goes. The devil comes to steal to kill to destroy, but Jesus came to bring abundant life, Vineyard does not bring peace but chaos and distruction, it brings the opposite of what Jesus came to bring. They worship the creation instead of the Creator (healing and prophecy). The people that were once King's Chapel, the people that were the one's that left with Mike, were lead by a man and not the Holy Ghost. We will not make the same mistake twice. Mike's name and reputation was spared at the expense of many souls, that is against scripture, Jesus even died so that many could be saved, one man (Mike) was saved, his reputation was saved so that many could be lost. There's nothing new in the manifestations of healing or being slain in the spirit, the thrill and pleasure of it was encountered by me more then twenty years ago, but we were never taught to build a religion on just healing and goosebumps. What do you think being Pentecostal is all about anyway? Signs and wonders follow them that believe, not they that believe follow signs and wonders.

Page-2

You don't make a religion on signs and wonders and the gifts of the spirit. Great emphsis should be paid to the fruit of the spirit, then the gifts will be in harmony and everything will be in proper balance. Do you see that worshipping healing is a sin? Instead of healing a hurt and confused battered church you brought more hurt and confusion by cohorting with the Vineyard and you, everytime you had any dealings with them you threatened us and brought suspicion on yourself and gave us food for thought. Even if we are wrong about Vineyard, you knew how we felt, how could you continually slap us in the face with Vineyard? Where does your love and loyalty lie, with the Vineyard or the flock that God has given you? It's not as if you haven't been warned but you took the warning very lightly. Not many people see what the Vineyard is all about, they that are the children of God are lead by the spirit of God. If it were possible satan would deceive the very elect. The people of Jones Town loved Jesus but didn't see the spirit of the religion until it was too late. The Christ is here the Christ is there, Christ warned us to be sober to be vigilant for your adversary the devil goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

Page-3

If our feelings on the matter were so strong, even a father or mother whose child has nightmares or fears or has to face a bully tries to calm the child's fears and does not take the side of the bully or rapist and does not set up a make believe nightmare, that will only serve to drive the child insane. So what have you been thinking? Would you befriend your child's enemy and both of you turn on your child? of course not, well you did. Choose you this day who you will serve, you violated our trust. It's not like we didn't tell you what we felt and thought but you disregarded everything and gave us no other choice then to do what we did. We did everything your way. We served you faithfully and loyally but not blindly when it came to Vineyard. You even made the comment that you knew that the (name withheld family) would stand up against Vineyard even if everyone else was for it, so you can't say you didn't know the pain you were inflicting on us. Everything that you did with Vineyard was at our expense. We served you loyally, faithfully and lovingly, you can't deny that. You keep mentioning the fact that I shouldn't worry about King's Chapel turning into Vineyard, that Bro. Don would never allow it, with that in mind I have some questions, 1- how come Bro. Don won't stand for having Vineyard? 2- if Vineyard is so bad in Bro. Don's eyes then how come he let Mike and Randy turn Vineyard?

Page-4

Is Vineyard good or bad in Bro. Don's book? Is Vineyard good or bad in your book? and if it's bad why would you want to put King's Chapel in Jeopardy by associating with them, if Vineyard is bad our name (King's Chapel) is directly connected to the name of Vineyard. I don't like being linked together with them in joint names, another words Vineyard or King's Chapel same difference. Which church did God give you? Vineyard or King's Chapel? then your priority and your loyalty belong to King's Chapel. You said something about if we can't trust our pastor so on and so forth, if we can't trust you about Vineyard there must be a reason, maybe you yourself are giving reason for doubt and suspicions where you were concerned relating to Vineyard. If you say you have the right to fellowship and associate with anyone you want to, that's not true, when you became a christian you gave up certain rights and when you became pastor of King's Chapel you gave up even more personal rights, and when your associations threaten the well being and healing of King's Chapel, after all we are not even healed from Mike's decision that we keep paying for in one way or another

Page-5

You don't make me feel secure and safe from Vineyard and that is one of your duties as my pastor, and even if my fears are unfounded the fact remains, I am in fear about Vineyard and you have no right to threaten my well being and my peace like that. The Holy Spirit in me tells me Vineyard is bad, that's all I know. If I see danger and I shut my eyes and ears and say nothing, if something does go wrong then I am responsible for doing and saying nothing, but if I do warn about the danger ahead and no mind is paid to it then you are responsible for not heeding the warnings and the blood is on your hands.

Bro. Don's reply to my letter to him

Jan 2, 1985 My name and address withheld

Dear Brother & Sister (name withheld) I received your letter and am responding herein. Please forgive the long delay. There are quite a few things I agree with in what you said, such as the "blinding spirit, dividing spirit" of the Vineyard ministry or I should say those who choose to follow it. However when Charlie came on the scene and because he was not a part of what happened when Mike left, he did not realize the extent to which people had been hurt. This, I think, he realizes now and I do also. Had we been aware of the deepness of that hurt, certain things would have been done differently. What Charlie did, he did with a right motive but the method was wrong and it conveyed confusion to the body. This was regretful. Charlie was placed in a situation which would have been difficult for even an experienced pastor to handle. I know his heart has been right, even if mistakes have been made. However, there has been a vindication spirit among some who oppose the Vineyard. It is not the spirit of Christ to say to Charlie or to anyone "you cannot and should not have fellowship with them". True, he should have used wisdom and not had the contact, nevertheless, it was wrong for people to use Charlie as a means to convey their vengeance. When he innocently had fellowship and contact with Mike, Randy or the Vineyard with no ill intednded, he was "pounced on" as it were. It is unfortunate that you, the (name withheld), while you are right about certain aspects of this, as I mentioned above, when opposing this, your emotions and flesh got in the way.

Page Two

You said in your letter that the fruit of the Spirit is more important than the gifts (which I agree with), you did not always display them. Fruit such as self-control, love, gentleness were not manifested in certain situations. It is not up to me, (name of ministry withheld), King's Chapel or Charlie in particular to right the wrongs of Mike, the Vineyard or anyone else who brought about the split of a beautiful body God brought together at King's Chapel. In reaction to this, there are wrongs on both sides. I mean on the side of Charlie, myself and (name of ministry withheld) and on the side of those who feel he/we have been wrong about certain things. One of the wrongs on your side is that you sought vengeance and were worried that Mike and the Vineyard reputation was spared. It is not for me, you or anyone else to "judge" or damage anyone's reputation. For one thing, Mike did a pretty good job of that himself for which I forgave him and for which he personally sought my forgiveness. It's under the blood ! I only wonder if you've forgiven Mike, the Vineyard, Charlie or anyone ele. If you don't, you are the worse loser in this situation. I do want you to understand that I realize the hurt you've been through on all this, for which I am deeply sorry. I pray that somehow you will allow God's grace and power to heal that hurt and "let go" of the damaging emotions that are within you as a result of this. I've gone through a lot myself not only with King's Chapel but at Abundant Life Chapel so I understand your hurt much more than you will ever realize. God bless you. In His Service, Don ( last name withheld) Executive Director

footnote: When you read this please pay attention to the facts. The facts are the issue here, not the emotions or charactor of the individuals involved. =========================================================

I want to make it perfectly clear to any reader that may happen on to this page that I, no way, no how, endorce Vineyard. As far as I am concerned they are among the abhorrent in christianity. I make this statement as a first hand eyewitness to events that distroyed my home church which became Vineyard. This is a warning, you enter Vineyard at your own risk, the risk of your own soul. May God help you to see the error of your ways.