We believe that the foundation of the Christian faith lies in knowing God through repentance for sin, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord, and developing a close, ongoing relationship with Him, which enables us to grow in His likeness. God has declared us righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our ability or inability to perform or avoid certain actions, but by faith alone (John 1:12; John 15:1-10; John 17:3; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21). All values and guiding principles for Vine Fellowship Network (VFN) should be grounded in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 2:15). The term “Vine” in Vine Fellowship Network (VFN) is derived from John 15:1-4, where Jesus states that He is the True Vine, His Father (God) is the gardener, and we, as believers, are the branches. He teaches that, apart from remaining in the Vine (Jesus Christ), we can accomplish nothing and will lack a fulfilling life. Therefore, Vine Fellowship Network (VFN) and Greg Lancaster Ministries (GLM) are dedicated to guiding all people toward the saving grace of God and a sustained abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.

We recognize that we greatly need the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to minister effectively to our generation. Changed lives result not from human wisdom but from the demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power, as exemplified in the New Testament church (1 Corinthians 2:2-5; John 15:5). We believe it is important for every believer to seek baptism with the Holy Spirit and to pursue spiritual gifts (2 Corinthians 13:14; John 4:23-24; Acts 1:5; 11:16). All decisions for the church should be guided by individuals committed to their faith, open to guidance, with prayer as a priority and a focus on worship. Worship aids in focusing on faith and enhances our ability to discern direction. We acknowledge that our challenges are not against physical entities but against unseen forces. Jesus Christ is recognized as our Lord, Savior, Healer, and Deliverer (Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 3:8).

We are committed to supporting the fulfillment of the Great Commission by following through following the commands of Jesus, engaging in prayer and fasting, conducting evangelism, fostering discipleship, and promoting church multiplication locally, nationally, and internationally, while reaching both Jewish and Gentile communities (Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 6:5-18; Acts 1:8). We are dedicated to assisting others who are called as co-laborers as churches multiply worldwide. The Great Commission is advanced by addressing challenges and expanding church multiplication (1 Corinthians 3:6-9; Matthew 11:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Acts 14:21-23).

We believe that God ordains marriage and family as foundational to His design for human relationships. Healthy, stable families empower the church to fulfill its mission effectively. Parents are called to reflect the character of Christ and to raise their children in the nurture and discipline of the Lord (Mark 10:6-8; Ephesians 5:22-6:4). God calls His people to live in reverence for Him, pursuing a biblical standard of holiness and purity. Marriage covenants, established by God, are to be honored and upheld (Proverbs 16:6; Mark 10:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). We affirm that God’s design for marriage is a lifelong union between one biological man and one biological woman (Genesis 2:18-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33). 

We also recognize that, in a fallen world, not all marriages endure. The pain of brokenness in relationships is a reality for some, and we embrace those who have faced such challenges with compassion and grace. GLM and VFN welcome all individuals, including those whose marriages have not lasted, as cherished members of our family. We are committed to walking alongside them in love, supporting their healing and growth in Christ, and affirming their vital place within our community (Psalm 34:18; Galatians 6:2).

We believe that our God is turning the hearts of fathers and mothers toward their sons and daughters in our time, and we are committed to fostering supportive relationships at every level of church and ministry life (Malachi 4:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:15-17). Participation in a church or Christ-centered group represents a voluntary commitment to the Vine Fellowship Network (VFN) community. VFN churches or groups are fellowships of believers and/or families dedicated to supporting one another and reaching others for their faith. We believe that the development of supportive communities is desired at various levels, including local churches, Christ-centered groups, congregations, and broader movements (1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 4:16). We believe each community should share common values, vision, and goals, with a commitment to collaborate, and we encourage ongoing training in these areas (Psalm 133; 2 Peter 1:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:2). We are dedicated to engaging, training, and empowering young people as partners in this effort, fostering collaboration between the young and old as we are committed to reaching, training, and voluntarily releasing young people as co-laborers for the harvest, as the young and old labor together (Acts 2:17; Jeremiah 31:13).

Multiplication is expected and encouraged in every sphere of church life. Churches should multiply into new churches, and groups should multiply into new groups. Church multiplication or starting Christ-centered groups should be a long-term goal for every church or group, as it reflects the design that everything reproduces after its own kind (Acts 9:31; Mark 4:20; Genesis 1:11-25). The VFN family of related, independent churches will consist of many new regional families of independent churches as apostolic fathers and mothers are released in the nations of the world (Acts 11:19-30; Acts 13-15).

Serving others and building trust and relationships is a desired experience in every area of church and kingdom life. We believe the best place to begin to serve and experience trust and relationships is in the church or Christ-centered group (Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:16; Galatians 5:13). We are voluntarily joined together primarily by God-given family relationships as an organism, not by organization, hierarchy, or bureaucracy (I Peter 2:5).

We believe that, according to Scripture, every Christian is a priest who should seek personal guidance for the Lord (Revelation 1:5-6). Every believer is encouraged by their faith to minister to others and should be supported in developing the skills for this work, with a home of peace (Luke 10:5-7) serving as a potential center for ministry. Fivefold ministers are considered gifts to the church, utilized to assist both men and women in equipping each believer to become an effective minister, contributing to the growth of the church (1 Peter 4:9; Ephesians 4:11-12). We encourage the ongoing transfer of ministry responsibilities to those who have proven faithful and fruitful among those being served, enabling them to pursue their calling (Titus 1:5; 1 Timothy 4:12-14).

We believe that every sphere of leadership should include a clear servant-leader and a team encouraged to walk alongside them. The leader should have the anointing and responsibility to discern the mind of the Lord that is expressed through the leadership team (2 Corinthians 10:13-16; Numbers 27:16; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Leaders are encouraged to consider input from those they serve and from apostolic leadership as they model servant-leadership and maintain a committed relationship with their faith. We value godly character—demonstrated through personal, relational, and behavioral qualities—as a key factor in recognizing leadership, understanding that while gifting may open opportunities, it is character and grace that sustain a leader. A leader’s call to minister depends on their character and should be fulfilled through consistent godly conduct. They are encouraged to exhibit humility, integrity, positive attributes, and respect for their role. We believe that individuals, both men and women, are called to serve in various leadership roles within the church (Acts 6:2-6; Acts 15; Matthew 20:26; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 7:15-23; Romans 16:7). We believe that apostolic overseers and church elders are raised up to guide, support, advise, and encourage the church. These leaders should model the biblical qualifications for leadership (Acts 15; Acts 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Individuals with other gifts, including administrative abilities, should be empowered to support the church’s vision at every level (1 Corinthians 12). In all aspects of church life, we encourage respect for those in leadership roles and hold them in high regard due to their efforts (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

We believe that the practice of tithing and offerings is a grace based on an understanding of divine blessings, offered as a response to the increase in our lives, to be shared with paid ministers and those less fortunate within our communities (Genesis 14:17-20; 28:10-22; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 7:3; John 8:56). This grace flourishes in the heart of the giver, and blessings are bestowed upon both the heart and the act of giving. We are encouraged to love and give to one another, a principle that should be inherent. As individuals connected to this faith, we receive love and, in turn, are inspired to adopt a lifestyle of giving, exemplified by the example of giving exemplified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us. By living to give, individuals may experience a continuous flow of support moving toward them and outward from them (Matthew 23; Matthew 6:21; Mark 7:9-13; Acts 15:1-21; Acts 2:22-45; Acts 4:32; 2 Corinthians 8:3-14; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Corinthians 9:8; John 3:16). We believe that every aspect of ministry and church life should be financially responsible and accountable to those providing oversight to uphold a high standard of integrity. Spiritual leaders receiving a salary from the church are discouraged from determining their own salary levels (Galatians 6:5; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 2 Corinthians 8:20-21; Acts 6:1-7).

We believe that Jesus instructs us to share the Gospel with those at the ends of the earth who have not yet heard it. Our mission is to reach unreached areas of the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by fostering love for others, encouraging others to do the same, and promoting church multiplication. Through collaboration, we aim to work with the broader community of faith to support this outreach (Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8; Acts 13:1-4; 2 Corinthians 10:15-16). We are committed to assisting the poor, needy, those in prison, orphans, and widows, extending this support locally, nationally, and internationally. By providing help—both materially and through encouragement—we contribute to a greater purpose (Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 16:15-16; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:10-12; Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27; Proverbs 19:17).

We believe that our focus should be on the Kingdom of God, with GLM and VFN serving as one small part of that Kingdom. We are encouraged to engage with other churches, ministries, and Christ-centered groups within the broader community of faith and promote unity in our collective efforts to reach the world (Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 17; Psalm 133). We support utilizing and sharing the resources of people and materials with which we have been blessed (1 Corinthians 12; Acts 2:44-45). Our unifying focus remains on Christ, His teachings, and the Great Commission, and we encourage avoiding distraction by minor differences (Romans 14:5).