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THE GRACE ON TAP STORY
by Vern Tompke
The Vineyard Community Church was planted in 1996 by Vern and Susan Tompke. Vern came from a rather interesting family who straddled both sides of the fence. On one side, Vern’s mother stressed the value of attending church and developing one’s spiritual connection with God. On the other side, Vern’s dad was a popular tavern owner who played the social centre of many people’s lives. “It wasn’t that my dad didn’t respect church” Vern says, “in fact he had a tremendous respect for 'Billy Graham and his message.'” “It’s also safe to say”, adds Vern, “that my mom played a pretty mean piano as well.” Over the years Vern and his brothers and sister struggled with the “great divide” between these two communities. Three years ago, Vern’s father, Leroy, was diagnosed with lung cancer. On one of Vern’s last visits to the “family bar,” Vern remarked at all the “on tap” signs hanging around the tavern. Suddenly he remembered a phrase by the author Philip Yancey, - that of God’s grace on tap. Vern’s dad was intrigued by the phrase and at Vern’s request, his dad gave him one of the signs to modify. Today the sign hangs on the front of the church. In one sense it is a memory of Vern’s father who passed away two years ago. To Vern it also symbolizes that God’s grace is available to anyone who “recognizes their need of him.” “Just because people don’t have their act together shouldn’t disqualify them from church”, he says. “I want to see a church where people are accepted to come to him in their “need” - not having to pretend they have it all together.” Just like in a tavern, what people are looking for is a measure of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Shouldn’t church be a place where broken people come to experience healing for their soul, a place where their life can be put back together again. Shouldn’t church be a place where people experience God’s "grace on tap"?
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