Westminster Vineyard

Launching a new three-week series titled "Ferment," Pastor Scott Engebretson uses the biological process of winemaking as a metaphor for spiritual growth in the New Year. Drawing from Alan Kreider's The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Scott explores the "invisible yeast" of God's Kingdom—a bubbling energy that works from the inside out. Looking at Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana in John 2:1-11, he highlights the tension between the mundane habits of the "process" and the "profound" moments of the miraculous. Scott challenges the congregation to embrace simple acts of obedience—filling, drawing, and taking—as the seedbed for God to do something new in 2026. For more information about the church, please visit NorthwestVineyard.org.

In this special Christmas Eve service, Pastor Scott Engebretson concludes the "Creating Space" series by exploring the unexpected power of humility. Contrasting the world's view of success—illustrated by NFL coach Tony Dungey—with the Kingdom of God, Scott cites research from CU Boulder to argue that true leadership is found in serving others. He traces this theme through the Christmas story in Luke 2, observing that the good news was first announced to the shepherds—the outcasts of society. Drawing from the "Christ Hymn" in Philippians 2 , Scott explains how Jesus "made himself nothing" to become the Humble King, and invites listeners to make room in their lives to receive His forgiveness, freedom, and flourishing. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In this special family service, Pastor Hannah Engebretson leads an interactive Advent reflection involving the children and youth of the church. Acknowledging the difficulty of waiting—whether for Christmas presents or for life's heavy burdens to lift—Hannah explains the distinction between the anticipation of Advent and the twelve-day celebration of Christmastime that begins on Christmas Day. Drawing from the resource Shadow and Light by Tish Harrison Warren, she invites listeners to consider the long silence the Israelites endured and the temptation to believe God had forgotten them. Ultimately, Hannah points to Jesus as the proof that God remembers us, noting that He arrived not as a soldier to conquer, but as a baby to save us where we are. For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.org.

Returning to the "Creating Space" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson contrasts our culture's desire to "chase momentum" with the biblical call to slow devotion. Focusing on the story of Simeon in Luke 2:25-33, Scott explores how Simeon sustained his faith during the centuries of silence between the Old and New Testaments, proving that intimacy with God is possible even in the dark. He defines devotion not as legalism, but as a "careful regard for Kairos"—an attentive waiting for God's timing. Drawing illustrations from Michael Jordan's "love of the game" and the prayer habits of the early church in the Didache, Scott challenges listeners to establish rhythms of prayer to navigate the waiting and recognize the "consolation of Israel" when He arrives. For more information about the church, please visit northwestvineyard.com.

In this special service, we celebrate the ordination of Pastors Scott and Hannah Engebretson. We are honored to host Rich Nathan, the founding pastor of Vineyard Columbus, who delivers a sermon titled "What is a Pastor?". Preaching from 1 Peter 5, Rich argues that a pastor is defined not by academic credentials or charisma, but by character and a willingness to pay the price of leadership. He outlines the three biblical roles of a pastor—Shepherd (nurturing the flock), Watchman (protecting from danger), and Example (modeling the life of Christ)—and challenges leaders to serve not out of compulsion or for control, but with a "get to" spirit of gratitude. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

Launching the new "Creating Space" series for the season of Advent, Pastor Scott Engebretson challenges the sentimental view of the holidays, reminding listeners that "Advent begins in the dark" and often amidst the clutter of our lives. Drawing from the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth in Luke 1:5-25, Scott explores how to faithfully prepare for Jesus' arrival even while navigating deep disappointments. He outlines four practical ways to clear spiritual space: pursuing righteousness (right living), maintaining habits of worship to hear God speak, practicing restraint in a consumeristic culture, and prioritizing family restoration as foretold in Malachi 4. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

Concluding the "Reasonable Charisma" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson asks a pivotal question: "What do you do after a miracle?". Citing research by sociologist Ed Esler, Scott reveals that while miracles are surprisingly common—experienced by a majority of people regardless of education or income—they are often fleeting moments in a life defined by the "ordinary". Drawing from the early church in Acts 2 and the Israelites' deliverance in Exodus 14, he explores the purpose of signs and wonders, observing that while God breaks into our "not yets," we cannot live permanently on the mountaintop. Ultimately, Scott encourages listeners to embrace the "Ordinary Time" that makes up most of the church calendar and to remain faithful even when the emotions of a supernatural encounter dissipate. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

Continuing the "Reasonable Charisma" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson addresses the gift of healing, advocating for a low-key, non-theatrical approach: "Healing is not in the hype". Drawing from the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-15 , he argues that healing is often found in the mundane and through simple, ordinary obedience, challenging the desire for a spectacular cure. Scott addresses the tension of the "already not yet," acknowledging that while God can heal, miracles aren't always immediate, and encourages listeners to look for the God of healing, not a specific healer. Ultimately, healing serves as a signpost of God's Kingdom, but the greater signpost is often found in the grace of perseverance and knowing that suffering in Jesus is never wasted. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

Continuing the "Reasonable Charisma" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the story of the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17. He uses the story of this vulnerable woman facing her last meal to illustrate how God often chooses to show his power and presence, or "charisma," not when we are strong, but when we are at our breaking point. This message encourages listeners to embrace a "reasonable charisma" by practicing trust in the middle of a crisis. Scott highlights that miracles—or the extraordinary power of the Spirit—are often seen when we are at the end of our rope, challenging us to look for God's provision even when the brook has dried up. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In this message from the "Reasonable Charisma" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the vital skill of discerning and hearing God's voice in our everyday lives. He begins by addressing how we make all kinds of decisions—from the mundane to the major—and then turns to the question: How do we hear God speak? Pastor Scott outlines a balanced, reasonable approach to discernment that involves both the natural (using logic, wisdom, counsel, and scripture) and the spiritual (creating space for silence, waiting on the Lord, and praying specific, risky prayers). The sermon emphasizes that God wants to speak to us and that developing the spiritual discipline to listen and "test the spirits" is essential for all believers seeking to live a life of purpose and power. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

Continuing the "Reasonable Charisma" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson unpacks 1 Corinthians 12, exploring the nature and purpose of spiritual gifts in the church . He emphasizes that all gifts—whether speaking in tongues or offering a handshake—come from the same Holy Spirit and are intended to show the power and presence of God. Pastor Scott challenges the idea that spiritual gifts are "special abilities" reserved for a few. Instead, he asserts that they are manifestations of the Spirit given to every believer to benefit the common good . This message encourages the church to operate as a unified, diverse body where every member's gift is vital to revealing God's presence and bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth . For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In our new series, "Reasonable Charisma," Pastor Scott Engebretson challenges the church to embrace a better way of living—one marked by both the Spirit's power and good sense. Scott draws on the book of 1 Corinthians to explore the tension between wisdom and spiritual gifts. He notes that while the Corinthian church had access to all the gifts of the Spirit, their relationships and practice of gifts were often divisive, messy, and lacking love. This message asks us to consider: What does it look like to pursue a powerful faith that is also loving, orderly, and accessible to everyone? Pastor Scott encourages the church to operate the gifts of the Spirit with love and wisdom, demonstrating a "reasonable charisma" that transforms us and draws others to Jesus. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In this message, the final of the 'Guardrails' series, Pastor Hannah Engebretson discusses the essential role of the church as outlined in the Nicene Creed: "one holy, catholic, and apostolic church". She explains that the church is not a place, but a gathering of God's people united in Christ. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

In this message from the 'Guardrails' series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the role of the Holy Spirit as our Advocate. Using the analogy of a patient advocate who guides people through complex and stressful situations, Pastor Scott explains that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called our Advocate, "comes alongside of us" to help us navigate the "ins and outs of confusion and stress and places of pain." The sermon emphasizes that the Holy Spirit continually points us back to Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life." For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org.

This week in the Guardrails series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the often-overlooked final part of the Nicene Creed, which confesses Jesus's return. He begins by recounting a personal story about his childhood vision of a hoverboard, which he uses to illustrate our human tendency to hope for the future. The sermon emphasizes that looking forward to Jesus's return provides a "stabilizing work" in our lives and a "right perspective" for living in the present. Pastor Scott concludes by encouraging listeners to live fully today, not just for the hope of tomorrow. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .

In this message from the 'Guardrails' series, Pastor Scott Engebretson focuses on the purpose of Jesus’s coming: "For us men and our salvation, he came down from heaven." He explains the two realities of Jesus: He is both the eternal Son (God) and the incarnate Son (man) . The sermon emphasizes that Jesus came for a very specific purpose—to seek and save those who are lost. Pastor Scott encourages listeners to live out the "V-shaped life" of Christ, where God descends to meet us in the messiness of our lives, ultimately so we can be free. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .

In this message from the Guardrails series, Pastor Scott Engebretson moves from the Nicene Creed's confession of God the Father to the person of Jesus. He recounts a powerful encounter with a dying man named Carl, who taught him more about Jesus than he could ever preach. Through Carl's story, Pastor Scott reveals that Jesus is the "living God" and the one "in whom all things hold together." The sermon highlights that Jesus, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, draws us into eternity and is working to reconcile all things to himself. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .

In this message from the Guardrails series, Pastor Scott Engebretson continues his exploration of the Nicene Creed, focusing on the first line:  "We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen." He presents the creed not just as a set of "guardrails" to keep our faith on track, but also as a "lifeline" in the storms of life. The sermon highlights the profound truth that God is the one and only creator. Pastor Scott reminds listeners that we are the created, not the creator, and invites us to lay down the burden of trying to be our own "Almighty". For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .

In the opening message of the new series Guardrails, Pastor Scott Engebretson introduces the Nicene Creed as a set of spiritual boundaries for the Christian faith. Using an analogy of a treacherous mountain road, he explains that the ancient creed, formulated to provide "guard rails" so the church wouldn't "fall off the cliff," continues to offer essential "boundaries and balance" for believers today. He highlights that the creed is not a dry relic but a source of life, hope, and security, rooted in scripture and giving clarity to what Christians believe . For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .

In this message, Pastor Scott Engebretson casts a vision for a new season in the life of the church, as it moves toward independence. He presents three foundational pillars for the church's future, rooted in the greatest commandment to love God with all of one’s being (Deuteronomy 6). Pastor Scott outlines the need for the church to cultivate hunger for God through prayer, fasting, and scripture, to be consistently inviting to others, and to commit to an ever-deepening process of spiritual formation, with the ultimate goal of having Christ formed in them. For more information about the church, please visit Northwestvineyard.org .