The National Leadership Handbook
January 16, 2026 - Vineyard USA has released the final draft of the National Leadership Handbook, Version 3.0. This document is the product of nearly two years of sustained work and broad consultation across the movement. Version 3.0 is up for ratification by the Leadership Council in March of 2026.
Sept 2026: Version 3.0 Handbook Implemented
Mar 2026: Ratification of Draft Handbook v3.0
Feb 2026: Spanish Version of Final Handbook 3.0 Released
Jan 16, 2026: Final Version of Handbook 3.0 Released
Nov 2025: Spanish Input Closes for Draft Handbook v3.0
Oct 17, 2025: English Input Closes for Draft Handbook v3.0
Early Oct 2025: Spanish Version of Draft Handbook 3.0 Released
Sept 2, 2025: Draft Handbook Version 3.0 Released
Background
Over the past several years, Vineyard USA has developed the National Leadership Handbook (NLH) to describe clearly how we relate to one another as a family of churches. Rather than relying only on a Trademark License, our connection is now supported by the Handbook, a shared framework that articulates the relationship between local churches, Vineyard USA, and Vineyard pastors.
The Handbook was first created at the direction of the former Executive Team at the culmination of the 2021 ReOrg. Much of its content puts into writing the expectations, agreements, and commitments that have long shaped our life together, while also offering clarity and structure where needed most. In this way, the Handbook gives shared language to what has often been practiced informally, making it possible for our movement to flourish into and through the next generation.
Version 2.0, ratified in March 2024, became the current authoritative standard. In 2024–2025, churches acknowledged the Handbook in their local bylaws.
In this final draft of Version 3.0, we have built on that foundation by affirming the authority of the local church and clarifying the right of local governance. We have also created a framework for navigating disagreement and conflict, including the ability of churches to appeal or reject future versions of the Handbook. In addition, this version names other foundational pieces not addressed in Version 2.0 but vital to have written down for our shared life as Vineyard churches.
The final working draft of Version 3.0 was released in September 2025 and feedback was collected throughout the fall. Minor edits were made to the document, and the final draft of Version 3.0 was released in January 2026.
Version 1.0 of the National Leadership Handbook was ratified by the former Executive Team of Vineyard USA in December of 2021. Establishing new bylaws and the supplemental Handbook were important for the transition of leadership models.
Version 2.0 of the National Leadership Handbook was approved by the Trustees and ratified by unanimous vote on March 4, 2024, by the Leadership Council (Regional Leaders, Area Leaders, and Association Leaders). The Handbook was made available to all Lead Pastors on March 14, 2024.
You can listen to the audio recording of the Ratification Session here.
The final draft of Version 3.0 incorporates feedback from the final working draft of Version 3.0 and is the fruit of nearly two years of sustained reflection, drafting, and conversation across our movement. It carries substantial contributions from many voices — including the National Leadership Handbook Advisory Council, a representative sampling of Vineyard leaders and churches from across the movement.
The Trademark License Agreement is appropriate for protecting legal trademarks and logos, but it does not capture the depth of our relational interdependence or provide adequate guidance for the complex issues faced by both local churches and our national association. The National Leadership Handbook addresses this gap by making explicit the commitments and organizational frameworks that have long been implicit in how we function together.
For more context on the limitations of Trademark License Agreement, please review Session 2: Trademark License Agreement from the 2024 Regional Conferences.
We update the National Leadership Handbook because our shared life as a movement requires clarity—not complexity. The Handbook isn’t meant to say everything; it’s meant to say what must be said in order to explain how we live and lead together as Vineyard churches.
If we never updated the Handbook, it would either grow disconnected from how we actually function—or balloon into something overloaded and unusable. That’s why we focus on including only what’s essential, and why we continue to build it out carefully, over time.
What we add matters. Some things simply need to be in writing. For example, Version 3.0 includes key additions that limit the authority of the Handbook itself and affirm the authority of the local church. Those aren’t just details—they’re foundational to how we live together with trust and accountability.
For that reason, we’re committed to adding content slowly and transparently. Rather than overwhelming churches with an overly large document all at once, we began with what was necessary and are shaping the rest in partnership—with broad input and time for reflection at every step.
In that sense, updating the Handbook isn’t just about content; it’s a formative process. How we add new sections is just as important as what we add. Take, for example, the process for adopting into the Vineyard: while a tested process already exists, turning it into Handbook language involved gathering feedback from those with recent lived experience, refining the language, and submitting it to a slow and careful review.
This is how we learn to walk together in clarity, care, and mutual trust.
National Leadership Handbook - Version 3.0
The final draft of the National Leadership Handbook, Version 3.0, is the result of nearly two years of careful reflection, drafting, and broad consultation across our movement. Once ratified by the Leadership Council in a vote planned for March 2026, it will fully replace Version 2.0 as the authoritative standard for our shared life as a family of churches.
Version 3.0 builds on the foundations of Versions 1.0 and 2.0, carrying forward previously ratified content while introducing significant updates. These include:
- Local Church Governance
Affirms the inherent right and responsibility of each Vineyard church to self-govern, protecting local autonomy in matters of governance, property, and pastoral oversight. - Appeal, Rejection, and Ratification Processes
Introduces formal processes for churches to appeal or reject future updates, with clear standing categories (“Good Standing,” “Good Standing – Pending,” “Out of Compliance”) and defined steps for input and resolution. - Conflict, Safeguarding, and Pastoral Conduct
Outlines biblically grounded commitments for conflict resolution, safeguarding practices, pastoral ethics, and discipline — providing clear expectations and accountability measures. - Ordination and Endorsement
Details the cooperative process for ordination: initiated by the local church, affirmed through Area, Regional, and Super Regional Leaders, and endorsed nationally. Includes renewal timelines, provisions for transfers, and revocation procedures. - Church Lifecycle Processes
Clarifies steps for church planting, adoption, disassociation, and disaffiliation, providing consistent frameworks for important transition moments. - Be–Know–Do: The Identity of a Vineyard Pastor
Introduces a Vineyard-specific framework for pastoral formation in character (Be), wisdom (Know), and practice (Do), serving as a shared standard for leadership development and ordination readiness. - Recommended Policies & Resources
Provides a Vineyard Policy Pack and appendices with templates, forms, and resources to support local churches in governance, safeguarding, and ministry operations.
All Lead Pastors and Leadership Council members were invited to review the draft National Leadership Handbook and provide feedback during the fall feedback window. The draft was made available in both English and Spanish to ensure broad participation across the movement. The final working draft of the National Leadership Handbook, Version 3.0, was released in January 2026 in advance of the planned ratification vote by the Leadership Council in March 2026. A Spanish-language version of the final working draft will be released in February 2026.
Feedback on the Final Working Draft of Version 3.0
The feedback Vineyard USA received on the final working draft of Version 3.0 of the National Leadership Handbook was encouraging and constructive. A summary of the feedback received is available here, and an annotated version of the final Version 3.0 Handbook, showing all changes between the final working draft and final document, is available here.
Approximately two dozen pastors and leaders from across the movement, representing a wide range of regions and church contexts, reached out with clarifying questions, identified a small number of omissions, and suggested ways certain sections could be strengthened or made clearer. This kind of honest engagement is a gift to a relational movement like the Vineyard, and we are grateful for the care, trust, and shared responsibility reflected in that process.
All feedback received during the review period was retained, carefully reviewed, and prayerfully considered. That feedback directly informed a limited number of refinements reflected in the Final Draft of Version 3.0. Including the following:
- Clarifications of meaning and intent were made throughout the document to address areas where language created confusion, ambiguity, or could reasonably be read inconsistently.
- Leadership Council voting eligibility and participation were clarified to distinguish between translocal leadership roles and Vineyard USA employment. This clarification affirms that Vineyard USA employees do not serve as voting members of the Leadership Council
- Financial oversight language was clarified to describe the preparation and approval of Vineyard USA’s annual operating budget and the Board of Trustees’ role in reviewing annual audits and exercising fiduciary oversight, providing greater transparency regarding national financial governance.
- Role-specific safeguarding requirements were strengthened by clarifying expectations for periodic background checks for individuals serving in key Vineyard USA–associated leadership roles. This change formalizes and strengthens existing safeguarding practices and establishes a clearer, more consistent standard moving forward.
- Acknowledgment of the National Leadership Handbook by Lead Pastors was added to ensure that Lead Pastors receive and acknowledge the National Leadership Handbook at the time of appointment, since the Handbook describes how Vineyard USA, churches, and leaders relate to one another.
- Disassociation and disaffiliation language was revised for clarity and to better align the phrasing of these sections and reduce confusion. No substantive changes were made; the edits mirror language across sections and clarify the relationship between the Handbook process and the legal rights outlined in the Trademark License Agreement.
- Appeals process language was clarified to ensure that Super Regional Leaders do not adjudicate appeals in cases where they are directly implicated in the circumstances giving rise to the appeal, strengthening fairness and accountability in the process.
- The Translocal Leaders section was revised to remove assumptions of local church employment, better reflecting the diverse vocational realities of leaders serving in translocal roles while maintaining clear expectations for relational accountability.
- Clarifications related to the Trademark License Agreement were added to affirm that while Vineyard USA retains the authority to update the License, it functions as a legal instrument governing trademark use and is not intended to modify, replace, or serve as a substitute for the policies, processes, or commitments articulated in the National Leadership Handbook.
These refinements are visible in the annotated version of the Final Draft of Version 3.0. All changes are noted in footnotes.
Process for Updating the Handbook
The National Leadership Handbook is updated through a deliberate, transparent, and participatory process that involves Vineyard churches and leaders at every stage. Here’s how the process works:
- Initial Drafting. Vineyard USA drafts proposed updates in consultation with subject-matter experts.
- Early Input. Early draft(s) are reviewed by the National Leadership Handbook Advisory Council—a diverse group of senior leaders from across the movement. The Council offers practical and pastoral insight on clarity, relevance, and real-world impact. Members are selected to reflect a range of church sizes, budgets, leadership structures, geographic regions, and ministry contexts. While non-voting, the Council plays a key consultative role in shaping content and surfacing risks and opportunities during early development.
- Preliminary Review (§2.4.2). A complete draft is shared with all Lead Pastors at least 180 days (6 months) before any ratification vote, with a minimum 45-day window for feedback. A final working draft of Version 3.0 was released to all Lead Pastors on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, a Spanish version was released in October, and feedback was received in the fall.
- Final Review (§2.4.3). After incorporating feedback from the Preliminary Review, a revised version is distributed to all Lead Pastors no fewer than 45 days prior to the vote. For Version 3.0, this is Friday, January 16, 2026.
- Ratification Vote (§2.4.4). Updates require at least a three-quarters (¾) majority affirmative vote of the Leadership Council (Regional, Area, and Association Leaders). The ratification vote for Version 3.0 is scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2026.
- Implementation. Once ratified, changes take effect six months after the vote.
This timeline is intentional: it provides a full twelve months from when draft content is first shared with Lead Pastors to when a ratified update takes effect. It ensures space for thoughtful engagement, honest feedback, and—in cases of serious concern—the ability for churches to initiate an appeal or rejection process as outlined in Version 3.0 of the Handbook.
This approach ensures that changes to the Handbook happen with broad input, high consensus, and clear accountability—reinforcing the relational nature of Vineyard USA and honoring the diversity and voice of the churches that make up the movement.
For the next few years, we expect to update the Handbook every two years. Once a few more foundational policies and structures are in place, we expect the pace to slow down.
The ReOrg team presented several proposals to the previous Vineyard USA leadership. These proposals were carefully evaluated. In 2021, the Executive Team approved the final organizational structure, revised bylaws, and granted the Leadership Council ratification responsibilities. Historically, church voting within Vineyard USA leadership was utilized exclusively for the appointment of the National Director. The process outlined in the Handbook significantly increases participation, involving over eighty Vineyard pastors and leaders.
We recognize that no system is perfect and welcome constructive feedback. While future adjustments to the ratification process are possible, any changes would need to follow the current procedures outlined in the Vineyard USA Handbook.
The Leadership Council is made up of Regional Leaders, Area Leaders, and Association Leaders. By design, this ensures the Council reflects voices from across the geography of the movement as well as perspectives from historically under-represented leaders.
Regional Leaders (RLs) are appointed by the designated Super Regional Leader, with confirmation from the Associations Director and the National Director. While the final decision rests with the Super Regional Leader, input from Lead Pastors in the region is actively sought. The process includes discernment, a written reflection project, references, and interviews conducted by a diverse team of leaders. These steps help ensure that the recommended candidate reflects the needs and context of the churches served. Regional Leaders serve five-year terms, may be reappointed, and are directly responsible to the Super Regional Leaders.
Area Leaders (ALs) are appointed by the Regional Leader(s), with input from the Super Regional Leader, and confirmed by both the Super Regional Leader and the Associations Director. Lead Pastor input is also incorporated in the process. In considering candidates, factors such as leadership experience, a sense of call, willingness to serve, peer recognition, and geographic proximity are weighed. Area Leaders also serve five-year terms, may be reappointed, and are directly responsible to the Regional Leader(s).
Association Leaders are appointed by the Associations Director and confirmed by the National Director. Members of each Association inform this appointment process to ensure leadership reflects and serves its community well. Association Leaders also serve five-year terms, may be reappointed, and are directly responsible to the Associations Director.
In each case, leaders are chosen with accountability, confirmed through multiple layers of approval, and evaluated regularly. This process is designed to ensure that those serving on the Leadership Council embody both the trust of the pastors they represent and the accountability of the broader movement.