A Vision for Discipleship and Formation

The Vine has a primary task- to help form people into disciples fashioned in the way of Jesus. This vision displays how we believe people experience change and are shaped into Jesus’ likeness- through the integration of our practice-based culture, experiences of community, and narratives rooted in the Gospel. We do this so that people are shaped by the life and love of Jesus; for the sake of this world.

* Foundational Passages: Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:9-17, 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

These three formational elements are not separate or distinct programs or pursuits but naturally overlap and fuel one another. Our narratives shape our habits and communities. Our habits strengthen our narratives and community. Community inspires narratives and habits. We believe significant transformation takes place when these three elements take place with integration and in unison.

The Three Transformational Elements

NARRATIVES: We will explore the narratives we hold and bring them into the light of the Gospel. This includes the stories we believe about God, ourselves, and why we exist in this world. At the end of this experience, people will integrate the truth and grace of Jesus into the narratives that shape how we see this world.

HABITS: We will invite Covenant Community members into our “Rule of Life Community” with our covenant form. This community will seek to be support and encouragement for people who desire to live into The Vine’s Rule of Life. Info at thevineaustin.org/habits  

Connected to this effort, we also want to deepen our “practice based” culture by going deeper into the habits of Jesus found in the Rule of Life practices. Utilizing Practicing the Way, we will host several 4 week-long experiences a year where we experiment with a particular spiritual practice (ie- prayer, Sabbath, fasting, community, witness, etc) - not only in content but especially experimented in action.

COMMUNITY: We primarily transform and change in the context of community. It is through the “one another” commandments we find in Scripture that we deepen our understanding of Jesus’ Good news, embody that good news for one another, and find encouragement to bear witness in this world. The primary way we experience community at The Vine is through our VineGroups. These groups will process the sermon series, deepen friendship and create a place of support and prayer.