2017 has been another landmark year in the life of SW London Vineyard. Not only did we mark the 30th Anniversary of the church in September 2017, but on Easter Sunday we moved back to our old Sunday home, now called Ark, Putney, Academy. These two key events gave us a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the thousands of people who have passed through the doors of the church over the years and have had their lives transformed by the Good News of Jesus. Given the transient life of London, many of these have since moved on to both other parts of the UK & Ireland and, indeed, right across the globe, finding themselves better equipped for the works of service of the King and his kingdom.
Over the past 30 years, SW London Vineyard has planted churches in Redhill, Oxford, Southend, Bristol, Chiswick, Sutton, Leeds, Nottingham, Winchester, Hoxton, Edinburgh, Kingston-Upon-Thames, Aberdeen, Croydon, Balham & Kennington. In early 2018 our first ‘great granddaughter’ church, Falmouth Vineyard, was planted from Cardiff Vineyard, which in turn was planted from Trent Vineyard, Nottingham. A wonderful legacy and demonstration of the kingdom of God being extended everywhere and in every way.
Having reached capacity at our Sunday venue, Saint Cecilia’s School, Wandsworth, in April 2017 we were delighted to be invited back to the newly refurbished Ark, Putney, Academy (previously Elliott School and our Sunday home for over 20 years). The school provides excellent facilities including a large auditorium, brand new gyms for Vineyard Kids, a drama theatre, 3-G pitch and parking. We look forward, once again, to being an integral part of the school community there and being a blessing back in the local community around the Ashburton Estate where we have been serving the local community for many years.
With London life being so transient, as always, we have said ‘goodbye’ to a number of key members of the congregation over the year. However, with only 24 people having officially left the church over the past 12 months this is significantly lower than is usual in a London church. Of those who left SWLV in 2017 42% moved away from the area, 17% joined one of our church plants, 29% joined another local church and 13% either left because they were unhappy or didn’t give a reason. Over the course of 2017 we have also had 102 new people filling out Connect Cards, 35 of whom (34%) have subsequently been fully integrated into the life of the church (small group, serving &/or giving).
We remain fully committed to the vision we believe the Lord gave us in 2011: We remain fully committed to the vision we believe the Lord gave us in 2011:
‘We believe that God has called us to:
- Make, train and equip disciples who love and serve Jesus, who love and serve one another and who love and serve their neighbours
- Be the church across SW London through central celebration and local mission
- Plant churches across the capital, by training and equipping potential church planters and by sending and nurturing those called by God’
This vision has been turned into action in so many creative and diverse ways, some of which can be seen below. However, without the sacrificial giving, in terms of time, energy and money of committed members of the church, including the huge volunteer workforce the Lord has sent us, none of these wonderful kingdom impact ministries would have taken place.
As always, we would like to thank all those leaders, church members, volunteers, Trustees and staff whose commitment and passion for the Gospel of Jesus has impacted our local communities in realising our vision for the church over this past year.
As ever
Neil & Kate
Senior Leaders