Liberty Vineyard Church follows a model of interdependent and shared leadership by each member of the Pastoral Care team, including a senior pastor who has additional specific roles and responsibilities. Our Pastoral Care team is the leadership arm of Liberty Vineyard Church, offering servant leadership, pastoral care, equipping, and empowering to people in our local and global community, to build up the body of Christ. Pastoral care includes walking with people in their spiritual journeys through listening, prayer, and relationship. This vital ministry is one of comfort, encouragement, sustenance, spiritual, and other practical help. It includes praying for and visiting the sick and suffering. Pastoral care also involves caring for persons through significant life crises such as hospitalization, grief, various losses, and family dilemmas. Our Pastoral Care team is characterized by love, relationship, integrity, excellence, creativity, and accountability.
Our Pastoral Care team comprises Allen & Nancy Penton, Jim & Dawn Roberson, Paul & Karen Sculley. Nancy Penton and Karen Sculley both serve as Associate Pastors.
Nancy’s books, Allen’s books
Karen’s website, Karen’s YouTube, Karen’s movie nights
Let us know if you have a question or comment
John Trotter (1979-2023)
Our beloved senior pastor and friend, John Trotter, passed away on May 8th, 2023, leaving behind his wife Charity, his son Amos, his sister Mary, and his father Wayne. His sudden passing came as a shock to us all. As we at LVC have gathered and shared with one another during this time of intense grief, one theme has clearly emerged: although John was physically blind, he saw, knew, and loved each one of us so very well. It’s hard to believe John was only with us for one year, because John left such a huge legacy at Liberty Vineyard and in each of our lives. “Hands in the pile” “Everybody gets to play” “With you on the journey” “Care for you guys” John was authentic and available, interdependent and insightful, humble and humorous, courageous and caring. We thank God for John and his life well lived – a devoted follower of Jesus, father, and husband who dedicated his life to serving his family and others in urban America, Nepal, the Philippines, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Atlanta (simultaneously pastoring Liberty Vineyard, teaching at Global Frontier Missions, and pursuing a doctorate, focusing on disability and missions, at Fuller Theological Seminary).
Two days before his passing, John wrote in his blog: “If anyone reading feels stuck, lost, or like the journey you are on is wasted, know that the journey is not linear. It spins, unravels, winds back up again, and the helix spins again and again towards the reforming that only God can do. With you on the journey.” John will be greatly missed.
Karen Sculley’s ordination / Karen Sculley & Nancy Penton’s installation as Associate Pastors
Here are some highlights from our special worship service on Sunday, June 26th, 2022, in which John Trotter was installed as LVC’s Senior Pastor, Karen Sculley was ordained, and both Nancy Penton and Karen Sculley were installed as LVC’s Associate Pastors.
Zac & Amy Weaver
In October 2013, Liberty Vineyard Church was founded by a team of six (Zac & Amy Weaver, Allen & Nancy Penton, Paul & Karen Sculley), a church planted out of Atlanta Vineyard Church. Guided by our local and regional Vineyard leadership, we embarked on an 18-month process taking us from a Sunday evening small group to a fully formed church. We are forever thankful for Zac & Amy and their family, as they worked, welcomed, served, and loved God & people through Liberty Vineyard Church for the Kingdom and glory of God. On March 6th, 2022, they stepped down from the Pastoral Care Team in order to begin a season of transition in their lives. We are grateful for their 8+ years of having served as our lead pastors and many other roles. Their story is forever interconnected with the story of Liberty Vineyard Church and we honor and thank them publicly here!