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The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard

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While there have been several books which attempt to provide a history of the vineyard from various perspectives, including Carol Wimber's personal telling of "The Way it Was", this is truly the definitive history. No stone is left unturned. The true flavor the vineyard and it's several key incarnations are captured, the various sides of key issues including the prophets and the toronto blessing are covered. You catch some of the spirit of the movement of God that was the Vineyard in the Wimber days and it makes you hungry for more.. You also learn a lot about what it means to run a church movement, and stay with the Spirit. It's harder than you think!

This is a truly accurate journalistic account of something that is kind of hard to "put your finger on". The "birth" of the Vineyard and maturing of it meant it was a constantly changing movement of God... A record of experiencing a taste of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. This was a movement that has not been seen in the "Church of God" very often. Seeing a true "revival" in the sense of reviving the "Church's" zeal of worship and faith that God was alive, present, active, merciful, and was inviting us "regular folk" to join Him in doing "the works of the Kingdom". Amazingly experiencing the Holy Spirit graciously teaching us "on the job".

I saw much of this happening, up front and personal, for decades... first hand. This book is a faithful journal of the true experience and the catalyst that created this movement. This book is a journal of the leadership learning to "Pastor" the people of God in the midst of the "Power" of God moving in ways that both glorified God and shook the comfort zone. How do you do that? By trial and error I suppose, and great prayer! Sometimes "pretty", sometimes not.

This was truly a life altering season for those involved... similar to the Jesus People Revival (late 60's-early 70's)... which also was not "created or drummed up by man". We were basically witnesses to the effects of the Holy Spirit Power and sometimes honored to be a part of that visitation in the life of others...

Frankly, the telling of this story gives great hope. How?... By the honest journaling showing that regardless of the imperfect, but honest handling of what could have been called a "hot potato". Journaling the relationships of the leadership involved that was anything but perfect... The hope that we too could be a part of seeing and participating in the "coming of The Kingdom Rule of God" in real time... and that "learning on the job" was the norm. The living out the wisdom of the phrase, "Play nice" would produce Godly Unity and lasting effect.... for the most part... it did.

Thank you for writing this... for telling the story from your research of one huge "side of the Elephant"... adding greatly to others recollections and reporting of the part of the Elephant they see.

I loved this book. I read it once (couldn't put it down) and now I'm reading it again and enjoying it even more. This is a must read for anybody interested in a true move of God. Bill Jackson was there from the beginning and truly does an exceptional job of recounting the "way it really was".

Since my wife and I are going to be missionaries within the vineyard, we were suggested this book!

I've heard most of these stories from my dad, he's not vineyard, and they were great to read about on paper!

Good stuff!

Good writing, engaging story even if you are not a part of the Vineyard this book is very informative. A history of Spirit-filled Christianity over the past 40 years.