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Press release from the former Toronto Airport Vineyard (December 12, 1995)

News Release
December 12, 1995

In the wake of the announcement last week that the Toronto Airport Vineyard (TAV) has been disengaged from the Association of Vineyard Churches (AVC - Anaheim, CA) John Arnott, Senior Pastor of the TAV is issuing the attached open letter for general distribution. Also attached is John Arnott's letter to John Wimber, International Director of the AVC, issued subsequent to their meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 1995.


AN OPEN LETTER FOR GENERAL DISTRIBUTION

From John Arnott
Senior Pastor
Toronto Airport Vineyard 
December 12, 1995

As you probably know by now, the Toronto Airport Vineyard (TAV) will be disengaging from the Association of Vineyard Churches (AVC). This will officially take place on January 20, 1996, at which time we will announce our new church name, etc. It is also the second anniversary celebration of the outpouring of God's Spirit at the Toronto Airport Vineyard.

His decision to separate was initiated by the US AVC Board. John Wimber, Todd Hunter, Bob Fulton and Gary Best from the Board personally visited Toronto Airport Vineyard on December 5, 1995, to announce their decision to our senior staff. We were surprised at the finality of the decision. We had hoped to have some input into the process. We thought the Board was not getting an accurate picture of what was taking place at the renewal meetings and that any issues could be explained and resolved. The Board, we were told, thought otherwise and we were offered no opportunity for discussion. We were removed without due process.

The bottom line, we were told, is that the Board felt Toronto Airport Vineyard renewal services were not mirroring the Vineyard model. As well, John Wimber felt he could no longer answer questions, including innuendoes and rumors, regarding the renewal services. Rather than ask us to revamp the renewal meetings, they released us to continue on as we believe God is leading us. Wimber agrees that the Holy Spirit is moving in Toronto, its just that he (Wimber) feels the AVC Board is not called to shepherd something outside the ministry model God has given them. While our local fellowship follows closely the Vineyard model, the renewal services, it seems, do not.

In a letter drafted after the meeting, we apologized to the AVC Board for mis-reading the intent and extent of their concerns (see attached letter of December 5, 1995). They have accepted our apology. We will be parting on friendly terms. We still have the same Savior and the same enemy. We realize that God is Sovereign over everything, including any mistakes His children might make.

We have asked several Senior leaders from around the world to form an International Renewal Network. They would act as an Advisory Counsel to help steer and facilitate this renewal. In addition they will act as a temporary leadership covering for our church until such time as new alliances are formed. We hope that those inside and outside the Association of Vineyard churches will feel free to fellowship with us and continue to flow in this move of God. Please pray that God will give wisdom to all those involved. Our heart's desire is to facilitate and pastor this renewal movement according to the Father's Heart. Our meetings are still open to the whole body of Christ. The Cross of Christ remains our central message.

We do want to publicly thank John Wimber and the AVC Board. This current move of God's Spirit would not have achieved its world-wide reach and impact without them. They have modelled Christ to us; they have been ministers of healing to us -- we cannot thank them enough. We are not saying goodbye. We simply recognize that the Sovereign Lord is moving this stream of the Holy Spirit along a new tributary. The major difference this decision makes is that if anyone wants to know "What's going on in Toronto?", they now need to ask the leadership in Toronto. Other than that it is onward and upward for us. We hope that all discussions in media and cyberspace will reflect the continuing good will between AVC and the Toronto Airport Vineyard. We hope that all will continue to practice the love and mercy of Jesus that we have preached for so many years. "Beloved, let us love one another." (1 John 4:7)

Sincerely in Christ's Service,
John Arnott
for the Toronto Airport Vineyard Christian Fellowship


Toronto Airport Vineyard
December 5, 1995

Dear John:

We so appreciated you taking the time to visit us in Toronto. While the meeting was challenging for all parties concerned, I do believe we heard each others' hearts.

John, thank you for taking so much "heat" and criticism for us. We sincerely apologise for the stress and hurt we have caused you. We are sorry that we misread the intent and extent of your concerns. We were not fully aware of the challenges that the move of God's Spirit in Toronto was causing you. We understand your position and we agree that the Toronto Airport Vineyard is not called to speak for the entire Vineyard movement. We acknowledge God's call on your life to pastor the entire Vineyard movement and we acknowledge that some of what is happening in Toronto is outside the Vineyard model. We agree that you and the Vineyard movement should not have to continue answering for the move of God's Spirit in Toronto.

We don't understand all of the Lord's plans, but we believe that we are called to help facilitate this particular move of His Spirit. We understand that the long-term implications of this move of God may diverge from what He is doing within the Vineyard movement. That is His prerogative. We are doing our best to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, as are you.

John, we accept the Board's decision to have our church disengage from the Association of Vineyard Churches. Would you allow us to leave with your blessing? We ask you to take this action to minimize serious hurtful repercussions for the Body of Christ. We think very highly of you and the Vineyard, and we have so appreciated the times we have shared. We want to continue fellowshipping with all who love Jesus and to continue ministering God's love to the whole Body of Christ. We too want to focus on preaching the Cross of Christ to all who come for refreshing.

Thank you for your years of ministry that provided such a wonderful environment for this current move of God.

On behalf of our church and our pastoral staff,

Sincerely in Christ,
John Arnott
Senior Pastor