Anyone here a member of the vineyard church?

[Pudmog]

Just wondering what they are like. I am sort of looking around at churches and came across them today. I am extremely shy and did not stay for long. Didn't like the hall being in darkness.

I'm not a member. But AFAIW they are pretty charismatic. Are you Ok with that if you are shy? Can you cope with other people being....extrovert...in worship ( even if you are not)? They might have other services that are quieter, if that's your thing.

My friend runs one! It took ds2 to a service, it was small, friendly and welcoming- ds2 loved it (I'm atheist I'm afraid). They do seem to have a real sense of community. If I was religious I'd be tempted by them- "doing" appears to be more important that how you look iykwim

They suit all sorts. Quiet or loud. Friends of ours run one. We've always enjoyed it when we've visited. They are pretty charismatic. Worship's wonderful!

I went to vineyard church a few times in Oxford, after being relentlessly pursued and persuaded by one of their members over a period of months. I found them very pushy and intimidating. They repeatedly pursued me when I stopped going, leaving notes for me and knocking on my door (once for almost an hour, while I kept quiet inside!!) to ask why I wasn't coming any more and try and persuade me to reconsider. Several members of the vineyard church made remarks which I found frightening and hurtful, for example they said that my brother who died in infancy would not have gone to heaven, and that my (then) boyfriend was a "child of darkness". During the actual services there was a great deal of shrieking, fainting, speaking "in tongues", swaying, falling to the floor, convulsing, moaning, choking and general hysterical behaviour. I found it all very unsettling and their behaviour - both in recruiting new members and pursuing me when I decided to give them a wide berth - extremely intimidating.

Just read my own post and realised how horrible I sound. I only went to one of these churches, and I don't know whether or not it was typical - and I'm not a church person anyway. I just thought as I had had a bad experience, it might contribute something for someone trying to get a general impression. Sorry if I've offended anyone who is happy with the vineyard.

Ok- anyone know the one in Bristol?

Ok- anyone know the one in Bristol?