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The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard
"The Quest for the Radical Middle" provides an in-depth look at the history of one of the fastest growing church movements in the last twenty years. The Vineyard story is a fascinating case study of those that would attempt to hold in tension the great historical doctrines of the Christian faith with an ardent pursuit of the Spirit of God. Written by a Vineyard pastor, it is a thoroughly researched, even-handed account that reads like a novel.
419 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 28, 2012
There were so many gems in this book on what it means to be a missional church, how one journeys with God in discovering more about Him ... the ups and downs of growing spiritually, the mistakes made and the lessons learned, as it traces the history of the Vineyard movement. In the final chapter the author describes a conversation between Dallas Willard, a renoun Baptist, and Todd Hunter, a Vineyard leader. Dallas said, "Todd, my concern for you guys is that in the history of ideas, followers rarely understand pioneering leaders...you must ensure that Vineyard churches maintain the visible signs of the Holy Spirit and the kingdom of God... I go to churches all the time where the people's hunger for piety is enormously high,but they live in constant frustration because they don't have the accompanying faith that God really could change who they are-because they never see signs of God doing things. If you want your pastors to have the faith for evengelism, if you want them to have the faith for changed lives, you have to maintain the visible signs of the Holy Spirit."
March 6, 2014
Bill Jackson's The Quest for the Radical Middle aims to be a comprehensive and lively account of the history of the Vineyard movement, starting with the Jesus Movement and the coming of faith of John Wimber.
Since I recently joined a Vineyard church in the Netherlands, more because of the people than for the denomination, I wanted to find out what this Vineyard is all about.
The book is indeed lively and comprehensive. It follows history loosely, intermixed with descriptions of Vineyard values or list of churches and sometimes chapters devoted to a specific aspect of that history, following it through time. Sometimes I found it to be overcomprehensive, when writing became more list- and fact based and less story.
It also is a description from within, from someone of the in-crowd. That doesn't mean Jackson sweeps criticism under the carpet – like Wimber himself he is happy to point out mistakes and faults – but it does give a image of Wimber and Vineyard that every little detail was whispered in by some divine interference of the Holy Spirit. To my less charismatic self, this sounds like even more spiritual direction than Moses or Abraham had in their lives.
I guess in most ways an assessment of the book would be an assessment of the Vineyard: a big emphasis on signs and wonders, every little detail is a direction from God and the Spirit is seemingly readily willing to tell us what to do on any occasion. To me the book gave some interesting insights in the life and thinking of John Wimber and in both the radical middle of the Vineyard and its excesses. Wimber is an intriguing person and that makes the book an interesting read. I finished most of it in two days.
In general the book made quite an impression on me. Basically, it invoked the question: If this has really happened, why couldn't it happen again? Or maybe even more it raised the question: Why shouldn't I try and find out? (John Wimber would be proud for me trying to 'do the stuff'...) It made my prayer more intense and personal and aroused a longing for seeking the will of the Father more. I think one could say that on the Word – Spirit continuum that Jackson describes in the book, my position changed from the one end of Word to somewhere more in the middle. Not bad for someone in a Vineyard Church. And with that I pray that my middle will also turn out to be a radical middle.
Since I recently joined a Vineyard church in the Netherlands, more because of the people than for the denomination, I wanted to find out what this Vineyard is all about.
The book is indeed lively and comprehensive. It follows history loosely, intermixed with descriptions of Vineyard values or list of churches and sometimes chapters devoted to a specific aspect of that history, following it through time. Sometimes I found it to be overcomprehensive, when writing became more list- and fact based and less story.
It also is a description from within, from someone of the in-crowd. That doesn't mean Jackson sweeps criticism under the carpet – like Wimber himself he is happy to point out mistakes and faults – but it does give a image of Wimber and Vineyard that every little detail was whispered in by some divine interference of the Holy Spirit. To my less charismatic self, this sounds like even more spiritual direction than Moses or Abraham had in their lives.
I guess in most ways an assessment of the book would be an assessment of the Vineyard: a big emphasis on signs and wonders, every little detail is a direction from God and the Spirit is seemingly readily willing to tell us what to do on any occasion. To me the book gave some interesting insights in the life and thinking of John Wimber and in both the radical middle of the Vineyard and its excesses. Wimber is an intriguing person and that makes the book an interesting read. I finished most of it in two days.
In general the book made quite an impression on me. Basically, it invoked the question: If this has really happened, why couldn't it happen again? Or maybe even more it raised the question: Why shouldn't I try and find out? (John Wimber would be proud for me trying to 'do the stuff'...) It made my prayer more intense and personal and aroused a longing for seeking the will of the Father more. I think one could say that on the Word – Spirit continuum that Jackson describes in the book, my position changed from the one end of Word to somewhere more in the middle. Not bad for someone in a Vineyard Church. And with that I pray that my middle will also turn out to be a radical middle.
April 10, 2013
A folksy, insider history of the Vineyard movement from its beginnings until publication in 1999, helpful for a guy about to become a Vineyard Senior Pastor!
Interesting to me that John Wimber argued regularly for a center-set approach to church and to the movement as a whole. He didn't want a fuzzy set (no identifying center) or a bounded set (too restrictive in identifying all salient features of insiders and outsiders). Wimber's priorities (there are two different lists in the book) focus on more or less ten features of a church:
-Bible taught as God's word
-Ministry to poor and needy
-Evangelism tied to these same social concerns
-Healing the sick (in one list with signs and wonders, in another with casting out demons)
-Commitment to/Effective small groups
-Effective training, discipling, equipping in serving, giving, managing finances, family, doctrine, etc.
-Interaction with other pastors and churches
-Worship, including values of intimacy, being natural
-Exercise of spiritual gifts (in another place, intercessory prayer and the prophetic)
-Commitment to missions
How's that for a list?
Interesting to me that John Wimber argued regularly for a center-set approach to church and to the movement as a whole. He didn't want a fuzzy set (no identifying center) or a bounded set (too restrictive in identifying all salient features of insiders and outsiders). Wimber's priorities (there are two different lists in the book) focus on more or less ten features of a church:
-Bible taught as God's word
-Ministry to poor and needy
-Evangelism tied to these same social concerns
-Healing the sick (in one list with signs and wonders, in another with casting out demons)
-Commitment to/Effective small groups
-Effective training, discipling, equipping in serving, giving, managing finances, family, doctrine, etc.
-Interaction with other pastors and churches
-Worship, including values of intimacy, being natural
-Exercise of spiritual gifts (in another place, intercessory prayer and the prophetic)
-Commitment to missions
How's that for a list?
November 17, 2013
As I go to a Vineyard church, I was interested to read this book about the history and how it all started. It is an honest account of John Wimber - warts and all - and the highs and lows. I couldn't put it down and would love to read a follow-up of what has been happening since 1997 after John died.
September 2, 2011
I realized while reading this that there is actually a name for people of my theological bent: 3rd Wave. Not exactly Pentecostal, nor even Charismatic; definitely not Cessationist; rather, Empowered Evangelical.
A good look at what went right in the Vineyard's early years, and what went wrong -what they did well, and what they could have done better. This is very much worth reading.
A good look at what went right in the Vineyard's early years, and what went wrong -what they did well, and what they could have done better. This is very much worth reading.
July 5, 2019
A brilliant snapshot of the start of the Vineyard's history. As any good historian, Bill Jackson remains as objective as he can be, pulling in views and sources from multiple places, and has created a detailed and trustworthy account of the Vineyard from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Not only does this book take a look at the Vineyard's beginnings, but it also plays an important role in looking at one thread of God's story in the 20th century. Bill Jackson is quick to reassure us that this is not just the Vineyard's story, this is God's story, and just one small part of it.
Whilst Bill Jackson mentions the Vineyard's high value on small groups and discipleship (which is still true today) this is not written about in much detail at all. I felt the book lacked any description of the day-to-day ins and outs of church life, and focused mostly on large events. This isn't a bad thing, as clearly this book is not giving advice on discipleship. However, I must say that it would have been nice to see a little bit of how discipleship and follow-up took place in those early days, because surely it must have in order to look after all those converts!
Jackson is also first to admit that this is very American centred. This can make it tricky to engage with as a non-American, as certain nuances of American culture are hard to grasp.
I love the question, not 'is it Vineyard?' but 'is it TRUE?' - something we all need to be asking!
Not only does this book take a look at the Vineyard's beginnings, but it also plays an important role in looking at one thread of God's story in the 20th century. Bill Jackson is quick to reassure us that this is not just the Vineyard's story, this is God's story, and just one small part of it.
Whilst Bill Jackson mentions the Vineyard's high value on small groups and discipleship (which is still true today) this is not written about in much detail at all. I felt the book lacked any description of the day-to-day ins and outs of church life, and focused mostly on large events. This isn't a bad thing, as clearly this book is not giving advice on discipleship. However, I must say that it would have been nice to see a little bit of how discipleship and follow-up took place in those early days, because surely it must have in order to look after all those converts!
Jackson is also first to admit that this is very American centred. This can make it tricky to engage with as a non-American, as certain nuances of American culture are hard to grasp.
I love the question, not 'is it Vineyard?' but 'is it TRUE?' - something we all need to be asking!
August 3, 2017
God Is Alive and Well!
I have read thousands of books in my 74 years. Never have I read one that was better researched or better delivered than this one by Bill Jackson. Bill doesn't just present a linear set of facts and opinions- he "puts flesh on them." He takes two dimensional things and integrates them to three dimensions. He takes three-dimensional things and integrates them to four dimensions. Now that I have finished the book- even the footnotes and bibliography- I feel that he has even touched on the fifth dimension! I cannot praise this book enough. Every person who is interested in the Vineyard movement will find this book the Treasure in the Field, the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure in Earthen Vessels...words and analogies fail! It is the story of imperfect men who followed God with whole hearts, like you. Read it.
I have read thousands of books in my 74 years. Never have I read one that was better researched or better delivered than this one by Bill Jackson. Bill doesn't just present a linear set of facts and opinions- he "puts flesh on them." He takes two dimensional things and integrates them to three dimensions. He takes three-dimensional things and integrates them to four dimensions. Now that I have finished the book- even the footnotes and bibliography- I feel that he has even touched on the fifth dimension! I cannot praise this book enough. Every person who is interested in the Vineyard movement will find this book the Treasure in the Field, the Pearl of Great Price, the Treasure in Earthen Vessels...words and analogies fail! It is the story of imperfect men who followed God with whole hearts, like you. Read it.
January 14, 2025
Not just a history, but a look at what is the purpose of the church today. Written as a story, with his own personal reflections on events and theology. Read it quickly and definitely want to re-read a couple chapters.
September 1, 2022
Basic history of the vineyard movement into the late 90s
April 26, 2025
My dad suggested that I read this
June 5, 2014
This book presents a history of the Vineyard Church movement from its beginnings to 1999. This is a very readable book that I found difficult to put down. Written by an insider to the Vineyard, it seems a balanced treatment that tells the story and presents the significant personalities involved along the way with the greatest focus on John Wimber, of course. The radical middle of the title refers to an imagined middle ground between the evangelical emphasis on the word of God and the Pentecostal/Charismatic emphasis on the Spirit. There seems little doubt that the Vineyard has been a key player in what some have come to call the Third Wave. While never a member of the Vineyard, I've been aware and looked on as much of this story took place. So, while I enjoyed the book, it raised as many questions for me as it answered.
March 4, 2015
I read a book on the history of the Vineyard before but this one has given me a more in-depth look into the past. You might want to skip some
of the beginning chapters and the odd one later on; some give a lot of information or facts that might not be for everyone.
Still, the accounts of events in the Vineyard overall written by numerous authors/ contemporaries of Wimber are moving and exciting.
Many stories moved me to tears, seeing how God provided for the movement and for people and where we are today!
If you’re in a Vineyard yourself this is for you.
of the beginning chapters and the odd one later on; some give a lot of information or facts that might not be for everyone.
Still, the accounts of events in the Vineyard overall written by numerous authors/ contemporaries of Wimber are moving and exciting.
Many stories moved me to tears, seeing how God provided for the movement and for people and where we are today!
If you’re in a Vineyard yourself this is for you.
Currently reading
April 2, 2008Excited about learning that the Holy Spirit is more than just for leading to salvation. I didn't know I was looking for the Radical Middle unitl we fell into it with the Vineyard. Very refreshing and scary because it makes the Holy Spirit and always focusing towards the need for a relationship with Christ/God.
April 30, 2016
Well documented history of the Vineyard movement-the good and the not so good. Gave me a real understanding of some of the things the Vineyard does. It helped me truly appreciate freedom in Christ to make mistakes and seek the move of the Spirit in your life and your churches life and take it out of the control of man.
January 29, 2010
A must for any Vineyardite.
February 1, 2010
Best history of the Vineyard's early days available. Great book!
May 6, 2011
Maybe more of a 3.5. Nice job of recording the history of a movement.
September 14, 2011
Well written and interesting, but primarily a good read because it is such a helpful history of the Vineyard Movement.
March 16, 2013
Well written, scholarly, comprehensive, and a pleasure to read.
August 14, 2013
Excellent inside history of John Wimber and the Vineyard Movement.
March 24, 2015
I didn't realize how big of an impact that the vineyard had on the church today. This was a fascinating read through the eyes of a vineyard pastor.
September 13, 2016
Honest review of the Vineyard Church. Easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews