Join the Vinery
Is there a university located near your church?
Do you long for your church to become a dynamic hub of vibrant ministry serving people from your neighboring university?
Is your church already doing great ministry with its university neighbors, but you’re looking for a process and partners to help take your ministry to the next level?
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At The Vinery, we believe that when thriving churches and vibrant universities partner for the common good, the torn fabric of society begins to be rewoven. We provide the "greenhouse" for this work through five distinct pathways of engagement:
1) Readiness Workbook
If your leadership team is still exploring which path best supports your mission, our Readiness Workbook offers a guided, 5-module framework for intentional reflection. This self-paced experience is designed to be completed within six months at a pace that works best for you and your team and includes:
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Five readiness modules: Work through asynchronous modules at your own pace to explore the Vinery’s core processes: deep listening, purposeful design, and public narrative.
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Coaching: To support your journey, coaching sessions with Vinery staff to help remove blocks and provide accompaniment as you interpret your findings.
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Identify next steps: This process empowers your team to identify your specific needs and goals for university ministry and discern your "next right step" with The Vinery–whether that is the 2-year cohort, an academic year intensive, asynchronous learning, or specialized coaching/consulting.
2) The Vinery Cohort: A Two-Year Immersive Journey
The Cohort is our premier experience for congregations ready to deeply commit to their university neighbors. This 24-month journey accompanies your Vinery Lead Team through The Vinery’s Grower’s Guide toward thriving university ministry and partnership. This offering includes:
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Annual in-person gathering
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Monthly coaching calls and/or virtual learning gatherings
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Partner church experience
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Guided coaching and consulting
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National network of university-proximate congregations
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Unlimited access to our Online Resource Center
3) The Academic Year Pilot Program
This 9-month schedule follows the academic calendar and is designed for teams ready to move from processes into action. This program includes a dive into each of The Vinery’s frameworks at a faster pace. This offering includes:
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9-month structured curriculum (August-May)
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Monthly Zoom meetings for framework learning
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Monthly meetings with your Vinery Lead Team (VLT)
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Collaborative communication via our online platform
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Opportunity to launch a program to reach one of the seven core constituencies during the spring semester; coaching for reiteration in the following fall semester
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Additional coaching as needed
3) The Academic Year Pilot Program
This 9-month schedule follows the academic calendar and is designed for teams ready to move from processes into action. This program includes a dive into each of The Vinery’s frameworks at a faster pace. This offering includes:
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9-month structured curriculum (August-May)
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Monthly Zoom meetings for framework learning
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Monthly meetings with your Vinery Lead Team (VLT)
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Collaborative communication via our online platform
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Opportunity to launch a program to reach one of the seven core constituencies during the spring semester; coaching for reiteration in the following fall semester
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Additional coaching as needed
4) Coaching & Consulting
Whether you are facing a specific block or seeking expert guidance on a new project, our staff and contractors are available for personalized support in the following formats:
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Coaching: We offer a space of true accompaniment. Our coaching helps you remove internal blocks and move into new ways of seeing, helping you discern and accomplish your unique goals.
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Consulting: For teams needing a "telling" approach, our consultants provide explicit guidance, strategic advice, and practical expertise on specific projects or institutional challenges.
We believe there is a time and place for both. Reach out to any Vinery staff member or contact info@thevinery.org to discuss which approach best serves your current season.
5) The Online Resource Center: Asynchronous Learning
For those seeking to explore Vinery processes at their own pace, our living, digital library offers a suite of asynchronous modules designed to equip your ministry team. This offering is currently in the works and will be launching early 2027; stay tuned for updates! Examples of modules include:
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Deep listening: Dive into learning the process of truly listening to your tradition, your congregation, and your campus and community.
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Purposeful design: Learn how to use Human-Centered Design and Asset-Based Community Development to create sustainable ministry.
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Public Narrative: Work through the frameworks of Marshall Ganz to craft your Story of Self, Us, and Now.
Is the Vinery right for my church?
Indicators of congregational readiness:
Proximity, Priority, and Capacity
Proximity
The Vinery aims to partner with congregations located within close physical proximity to universities. Depending on the context, close proximity could mean within walking distance, one to two miles, or even within a 10-15 drive or ride on public transit.
Priority
The initiative is intended for congregations that either already prioritize vibrant college and young adult ministry or they have committed to a strategic plan to implement such ministry within the next five years.
Capacity
Strong candidates are congregations that demonstrate a willingness to commit to the following:
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Theological premise for self-reflection and examination of their mission, values, theological resources and trustworthy ministry practices.
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Cultural competence around issues of race, justice, equity, and narratives of dominant culture in their congregations and in ministry with their university neighbors,
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Financial investment in covering expenses for participation in a network of congregations committed to dynamic university ministry.
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A lead team ready to guide their congregation through the multi-step process, represent their congregation in the Vinery community, and communicate the vision and their work to their congregation.
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Time for rhythms of deep listening, reflecting, and reimagining during retreats and listening sessions during a two-year cohort.
