Our ministry opportunities at St. Stephen’s and the Vine are all guided by our Vine Values. Watch this video to learn about the Vine Values from members of our church. The text of the Vine Values is below the video.
I am the true vine…. I am the vine you are the branches. (15:1,5)
Jesus is central. Jesus connects us to God and to each other. Jesus doesn’t divide. He knits us together. We’re at our best when we reflect this love.
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. (15:4)
Following Jesus leads us into better service of God and our neighbor. Our community and connection rests on the call of Jesus on our lives and following Jesus’ commandment to love one another.
My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. (15:8)
God calls us to be disciples – followers of Jesus. The better disciples we are, the better we share the gospel.
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (15:11)
The Christian walk is centered in joy. We strive to do all things joyfully.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (15:12-13)
Christ though his life, ministry, death and resurrection showed us how to walk the way of love. When we love others we do what Christs calls us to do, to live a life is service of others.
I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing, but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. (15:15)
Christ calls us to friendship, to be known by God and to seek to know each other. That is the point of our service: to no longer be just neighbors, but friends.