Northwest Vineyard

Continuing the "Ferment" series, Pastor Scott Engebretson explores one of Jesus' most challenging teachings: the parable of the wineskins . Drawing from the calling of Levi in Luke 5:27-39 , Scott discusses the radical nature of following Jesus, which requires more than just "tacking" Him onto an old life . Using the metaphors of unshrunk cloth and new wine, he explains that the "bubbling energy"...

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 Can...

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...

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. Dr...

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 dev...

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 out...

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 disappoi...

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...

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 te...

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...

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 bot...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 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...

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 s...

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 highli...

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 t...

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,...

In this final message of the 'Stranger Things of the Parables' series, Hannah Engebretson explores the common human experience of waiting in a period of transition and uncertainty . She dives into the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5, who lived in her own "meantime" for 12 years . The message highlights how the woman's desperate act of faith to touch Jesus's cloak resulted no...

Pastor Scott Engebretson explores the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20 . He reveals that this parable isn't about earthly fairness, but about the "upside-down logic" and overwhelming generosity of God's grace . The sermon addresses our human tendency to compare ourselves to others and emphasizes that the reward of the kingdom is an unearned gift . Pastor Scott concludes that...

Guest speaker Pastor Christian Summers from Lakewood Vineyard continues the 'Stranger Things of the Parables' series, diving into the Parable of the Net from Matthew 13 . He explains that Jesus uses the image of a commercial fishing net, which catches all kinds of fish, to illustrate the expansive and inclusive nature of the kingdom of heaven . Christian  contrasts this with the Pharisees' exclusi...

Continuing in the series, Sam Stephens delves into two profound parables from Matthew 13: the  Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Value . He illustrates how both parables underscore the immeasurable worth of the kingdom of heaven, a treasure so valuable that it is worth sacrificing everything else to possess. The sermon emphasizes the joyful and radical commitment...