The Institutional Assessment from Guidepost Solutions “identified three critical areas which put the effectiveness of the Vineyard USA and local Vineyard churches at risk.” Below you will find updates related to each critical area:

1. Minimal structure or formal connection of Vineyard USA to local Vineyard churches and pastors;

• 1(b) Vetting: Vineyard USA should establish a process for vetting and require comprehensive background checks of newly onboarded Vineyard USA staff, Area and Regional Leaders, and local Vineyard church senior pastors at least every five years.
  
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA continues to require BCI background checks during the Church Planting and Church Adoption processes. Additionally, all new Senior Pastor transitions include a BCI background check of both the pastor and their spouse. In review of the National Team hiring process, Vineyard USA will be implementing new steps in the process of vetting candidates for trans-local leadership positions. This process is currently being developed. 
    
    
• 1(c) Ordination and Credentialing: Vineyard USA and local Vineyard churches should work together to establish a process for joint ordination/credentialing of pastors within the Vineyard movement in the United States.
  
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA is working with the Trustees, National Team, Regional and Area Leaders, and local Church pastors to establish a process for ordination and credentialing. Dr. Caleb Maskell, Associate National Director of Theology and Education hosted a workshop at NC2023 that every pastor was encouraged to attend. Feel free to view the workshop here.
     
• 1(i) Increased Super Regional Leader (“SRL”) Resourcing: Vineyard USA should consider increasing the number of SRLs to enhance engagement and feedback from local Vineyard churches and pastors to Vineyard USA and vice versa.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA recently added two Super Regional Leader Ministry Coordinator staff members in support of the work of the Super Regional Leaders.
    
    
• 1(j) Vineyard USA Leadership Training: Vineyard USA should conduct yearly training for Area Leaders/Regional Leaders/Super Regional Leaders at a conference, retreat, and/or celebration to teach as well as transform and inspire attendees, to give them renewed commitment and vision.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA has repurposed the previous Leadership Team Meeting (LTM) to an RL/AL Training Meeting each Spring. This meeting is focused more on training than inspiration. 
    
    

• 1(l) Annual Census: In an annual Vineyard census, Vineyard USA should request information regarding church financial health, reports and allegations of abuse and misconduct, and/or concerns relative to church governance.
  • 90-day Update: We will continue to ask for information that will improve our ability to respond to allegations of misconduct, including governance structures, and board members along with additional staff. The 2024 Census will be administered in January 2024.

2. No documented reporting mechanism or response processes for allegations or concerns of misconduct across the Vineyard movement in the United States; 

• 2(a) 24-hour Reporting Email: Vineyard USA should continue to make available the Reporting Email to receive reports of concerns of leadership misconduct. 
  • 90-day Update: Since March 2023, Vineyard USA Super Regional Leaders, John Elmer and Joel Seymour and Managing Director, Robb Morgan have met bi-weekly with Guidepost Solutions to review the status of the Reporting Email and the ongoing active Reports. This meeting includes reviewing new Reports, providing GPS with updates of responses from local churches, receiving updates from GPS based on new information provided by Reporters, and planning next steps as required and case situation-specific coaching. 
    
    

• 2(b) Reporting Email Visibility: Vineyard USA should more prominently highlight the Reporting email on Vineyard websites, making it available on its main page. Vineyard USA should also encourage local churches and other affiliates of Vineyard USA to highlight the reporting email.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA has placed Report Abuse links in the footer of every Vineyard USA webpage. 
    
    

• 2(c) Process for Responding to Allegations of Misconduct in Churches: Vineyard USA should document a consistent reporting, investigation, adjudication, and resolution process. The process should include policies on confidentiality, conflicts of interest, non-retaliation, record keeping, and whistleblower protections.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA is actively working with Guidepost to develop a process and policies. These processes and policies will be reviewed by VUSA Trustees, National Team members, Regional and Area Leaders, and local church pastors prior to their publication. 
    
    

• 2(d) Support to Local Churches: Vineyard USA should develop vetted resources including legal, investigative, and counseling resources to support local churches in their investigations of misconduct based upon church and pastor standards.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA has identified Church Cares as a thorough training curriculum for pastors, staff, leaders, and volunteers. We would strongly encourage a church to utilize this training or one similar on an annual basis. Vineyard USA is also in active discussion with a number of counseling services and mental healthcare providers that will allow us to refer victims of abuse to professional care as needed or requested.
    
    

3. Lack of meaningful standards, guidance, or accountability for Vineyard USA and Vineyard church staff, pastors, and leaders.

• 3(a) Employee Manual: Vineyard USA should review the Employee Manual, and update or add policies that would provide meaningful standards, guidelines, or accountability for Vineyard USA staff.

• • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA reviewed and updated the Employee Manual in May 2023. 
    
    

• 3(b) A Leadership Focused Handbook: Vineyard USA should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of the Vineyard USA National Team, and Regional and Area leadership.
  • 90-day Update: Vineyard USA actively developing a Regional, Area & Associations Leader Training Manual and Handbook to outline the roles and responsibilities of trans-local leadership. 
    
    

As a result of our summary findings and analysis, we identified several recommendations for Vineyard USA’s consideration and action as appropriate. These recommendations are consistent with the core values, beliefs, and philosophy of the Vineyard movement in the United States.”