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Never Trust a Leader Without a Limp: The Wit and Wisdom of John Wimber, Founder of the Vineyard Church Movement
John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard movement had a unique ability to capture truth in pithy little phrases. “The meat’s in the street,” “Doin’ the Stuff,” and “Come as you are” are just of few of those phrases that distinguished the Vineyard movement. Glenn Schroder was at the Anaheim Vineyard throughout John’s 20-year tenure as pastor. Glenn traveled with John, served under him, and heard him speak more than 2,000 times. He captures and preserves the story and identity of the Vineyard movement by expounding on those phrases. John passed away in 1997, and today there is an entire generation of young leaders who never met John or experienced his ministry firsthand. The Vineyard has grown to an international community of churches numbering upwards of 2,400 in more than 60 countries. Never Trust a Leader Without a Limp is a restatement of the foundational tenets that launched the movement.
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First published January 21, 2020
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July 5, 2022
“Never trust a leader without a limp,” is one of the many sayings from John Wimber that have become known as “wimberisms” over the years since John’s passing in 1997. It is a saying that I have especially appreciated over these last seven years of pastoring. This statement gives us permission to be on a vulnerable and transparent journey.
As pointed out in Never Trust A Leader Without A Limp, by Author Glenn Schroder, “Beyond his ongoing health issues, he [John] also dealt with criticism throughout much of his pastorate. Despite those things, plus the deaths of his dearest friends and colleagues…he limped on.” (Schroder, 92) These struggles of health and leading were not hidden by John. In fact, “John was open about his own hardships, creating an environment of freedom to not only be honest about our struggles but also to fall short.” (Schroder, 92) That sort of transparency and vulnerability is something I long to see in an authentic sense of church community. Note, “John understood and maintained that true leadership and wisdom are formed in the crucible of hardship,”(Schroder, 92) and he ingrained that honest, vulnerable, and transparent approach to communal life in those he served, trained, coached, and released – so that they would not create unhealthy dependencies on pastors, ministries or churches – but rather find their “life, identity, and worth from Christ.” (Schroder, 92) In this era we would do well to rediscover this confession and conviction again.
John grew up outside of faith and the church, making his living as a musician and in the music industry, until a profound experience led him to Jesus. Wimber would come to faith in a Quaker church, serve in the Calvary Chapel, and then encounter Kenn Gulliksen, who was overseeing a small group of Jesus-people churches known as the Vineyard. Wimber would come onboard as Pastor, and in-time become the father and facilitator of the Vineyard Movement. God moved mightily in those early years in natural and supernatural ways. John was also a gifted evangelist and speaker, and he would disciple a movement of pastors, worship leaders, and spirit-filled believers that would change the face of worship and the church- until his death in 1997. In fact, “In the October 6, 20006, issue of Christianity Today, his book Power Evangelism was listed as the twelfth most influential book shaping an evangelicalism.” (Schroder XIII) For a few generations, many individuals in various church movements have been infulenced, invested-in, and inspired by the teaching, writing, and shepherding of Wimber.
This book doesn’t explore history or theology (doesn’t shy from it either), but captures some of his timeless sayings that were contagiously remember-able and unpacks these wimberisms in context and meaning. This statement, “Never trust a leader without a limp,” is just one of over thirty Wimberisms found in this book that carefully explores some of the better known and recited wit and wisdom of John Wimber. Each statement is unpacked in context by Schroder who has been in the Vineyard Movement since 1976. A note/bibliography at the back of the book not only shows the extent of the author’s research, but also where you can turn for more context and learning.
You don’t need to know what the Vineyard is, or was, to enjoy and understand this book. Rather, this book introduces Wimber to a whole new generation that did not know him – his investment, inspiration, or influence. It is also a great reminder for those who have been around the Vineyard or Wimber’s writings awhile, aligning us back to some truths that once contagiously shaped us. Glenn had the opportunity to worship with John, but also serve on a leadership team with John. John’s Widow writes the forward to this book, affirming “Glenn Schroder and his wife, Donna, were with us from the very beginning.” (Schroder, IX) In this book, Schroder shares many personal stories from his journey of faith, as well as testimonies from his interactions with John. Each chapter is short, making for a short read that is just a little over 190 pages long.
We own that the “Vineyard movement is over forty years old now. Many of the original pastors are in the process of retiring or already have,”(Schroder, XIV) this collection not only helps us keep an identity, but will “both capture the essence of John’s beliefs and teaching” (Schroder, XIV) for countless others. This book does not take a scholarly approach, which is my biggest drawback, but it is certainly encouraging and inspiring. It will be a book that I ask leaders and pastoral friends to read, and maybe work through and dissect with leadership teams. There is much for leaders in many of these chapters, including my favorite chapter on what it means to be a leader, “Show me your puppies, and I’ll give you your papers.” Folks, “Faith Is Spell R-I-S-K,” and it is time that we begin to “dial down” all that we made of the church, rediscover that “the way in is the way on,” and start a church that is full of “everybody gets to play,” and everybody “doin’ the stuff.” What better way to be inspired than from a biblical teacher who transparently and vulnerability confessed that he is “just a fat man on my way to heaven,” but made much of the pursuit of Jesus.
Schroder, Glenn. Never Trust a Leader Without a Limp: The with and Wisdom of John Wimber, Founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. Nashville, TN: Emanate Books, 2020.
As pointed out in Never Trust A Leader Without A Limp, by Author Glenn Schroder, “Beyond his ongoing health issues, he [John] also dealt with criticism throughout much of his pastorate. Despite those things, plus the deaths of his dearest friends and colleagues…he limped on.” (Schroder, 92) These struggles of health and leading were not hidden by John. In fact, “John was open about his own hardships, creating an environment of freedom to not only be honest about our struggles but also to fall short.” (Schroder, 92) That sort of transparency and vulnerability is something I long to see in an authentic sense of church community. Note, “John understood and maintained that true leadership and wisdom are formed in the crucible of hardship,”(Schroder, 92) and he ingrained that honest, vulnerable, and transparent approach to communal life in those he served, trained, coached, and released – so that they would not create unhealthy dependencies on pastors, ministries or churches – but rather find their “life, identity, and worth from Christ.” (Schroder, 92) In this era we would do well to rediscover this confession and conviction again.
John grew up outside of faith and the church, making his living as a musician and in the music industry, until a profound experience led him to Jesus. Wimber would come to faith in a Quaker church, serve in the Calvary Chapel, and then encounter Kenn Gulliksen, who was overseeing a small group of Jesus-people churches known as the Vineyard. Wimber would come onboard as Pastor, and in-time become the father and facilitator of the Vineyard Movement. God moved mightily in those early years in natural and supernatural ways. John was also a gifted evangelist and speaker, and he would disciple a movement of pastors, worship leaders, and spirit-filled believers that would change the face of worship and the church- until his death in 1997. In fact, “In the October 6, 20006, issue of Christianity Today, his book Power Evangelism was listed as the twelfth most influential book shaping an evangelicalism.” (Schroder XIII) For a few generations, many individuals in various church movements have been infulenced, invested-in, and inspired by the teaching, writing, and shepherding of Wimber.
This book doesn’t explore history or theology (doesn’t shy from it either), but captures some of his timeless sayings that were contagiously remember-able and unpacks these wimberisms in context and meaning. This statement, “Never trust a leader without a limp,” is just one of over thirty Wimberisms found in this book that carefully explores some of the better known and recited wit and wisdom of John Wimber. Each statement is unpacked in context by Schroder who has been in the Vineyard Movement since 1976. A note/bibliography at the back of the book not only shows the extent of the author’s research, but also where you can turn for more context and learning.
You don’t need to know what the Vineyard is, or was, to enjoy and understand this book. Rather, this book introduces Wimber to a whole new generation that did not know him – his investment, inspiration, or influence. It is also a great reminder for those who have been around the Vineyard or Wimber’s writings awhile, aligning us back to some truths that once contagiously shaped us. Glenn had the opportunity to worship with John, but also serve on a leadership team with John. John’s Widow writes the forward to this book, affirming “Glenn Schroder and his wife, Donna, were with us from the very beginning.” (Schroder, IX) In this book, Schroder shares many personal stories from his journey of faith, as well as testimonies from his interactions with John. Each chapter is short, making for a short read that is just a little over 190 pages long.
We own that the “Vineyard movement is over forty years old now. Many of the original pastors are in the process of retiring or already have,”(Schroder, XIV) this collection not only helps us keep an identity, but will “both capture the essence of John’s beliefs and teaching” (Schroder, XIV) for countless others. This book does not take a scholarly approach, which is my biggest drawback, but it is certainly encouraging and inspiring. It will be a book that I ask leaders and pastoral friends to read, and maybe work through and dissect with leadership teams. There is much for leaders in many of these chapters, including my favorite chapter on what it means to be a leader, “Show me your puppies, and I’ll give you your papers.” Folks, “Faith Is Spell R-I-S-K,” and it is time that we begin to “dial down” all that we made of the church, rediscover that “the way in is the way on,” and start a church that is full of “everybody gets to play,” and everybody “doin’ the stuff.” What better way to be inspired than from a biblical teacher who transparently and vulnerability confessed that he is “just a fat man on my way to heaven,” but made much of the pursuit of Jesus.
Schroder, Glenn. Never Trust a Leader Without a Limp: The with and Wisdom of John Wimber, Founder of the Vineyard Church Movement. Nashville, TN: Emanate Books, 2020.
March 8, 2025
what a gift this is
I just had the privilege of meeting Glenn on a mission trip in Belize and as he started sharing his experiences with the early years of the Vineyard movement I knew I needed to read this book. While relatively new to the Vineyard I love hearing the stories of how our church started and after spending time with Glenn these stories have truly come alive. What an amazing journey he’s had and I’m so grateful for his years of wisdom and gleaning from some of the best. But most importantly Glenn reveals the heart of the Father through his writings and this is so evident in these pages. Thank you Glenn for giving us a glimpse into the life of John Wimber and his vision for partnering with the Holy Spirit!
I just had the privilege of meeting Glenn on a mission trip in Belize and as he started sharing his experiences with the early years of the Vineyard movement I knew I needed to read this book. While relatively new to the Vineyard I love hearing the stories of how our church started and after spending time with Glenn these stories have truly come alive. What an amazing journey he’s had and I’m so grateful for his years of wisdom and gleaning from some of the best. But most importantly Glenn reveals the heart of the Father through his writings and this is so evident in these pages. Thank you Glenn for giving us a glimpse into the life of John Wimber and his vision for partnering with the Holy Spirit!
November 14, 2022
This book is just as much about the author's personal experiences with John Wimber as it is about Wimber himself. Each chapter is a short vignette expounding Wimber's many catchy phrases and the mindset behind them. I've been enjoying a number of books about the man, and this was a nice addition from someone that knew him almost his entire time in the Vineyard movement.
March 29, 2023
Definitely not a terrible book, and at times very inspiring. However the book is only in part about John Wimbers teachings, and more about the author and his experiences. Not at all bad, but not why I wanted to read it.
June 19, 2023
3.5 stars. Maybe almost 4? I enjoyed the insights into Wimbers life and it was often inspirational but towards the later half of the book, it began to feel repetitive. Overall, It was a good introduction to the person that is John Wimber.
May 10, 2020
Good reading
You have done a good work representing the life of John Wimber. Good job on the incidents reported. Thank you
You have done a good work representing the life of John Wimber. Good job on the incidents reported. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews