Why are Chuck & Taryn leaving Catalyst Vineyard?

After faithfully leading Catalyst Vineyard for 17 years, the Lord has intervened and clearly called them into a new season of ministry with Verso Vineyard in St Albans. Through prayer, discernment, wise counsel, and an extremely high level of prophetic confirmation, it became clear that their next step was to lead Verso Vineyard in St Albans. 

Will Chuck and Taryn continue in their role as Associate National Directors?

Yes, their role in the Vineyard movement continues.  However, they will step down from being Regional Leaders for Scotland in October.

What is happening with the Region of Scotland?

As Chuck & Taryn Freeland transition to lead Verso Vineyard, the Regional Leadership for Scotland will also be moving into a new season.

Thomas & Mhairi Urquhart (Senior Pastors, Inverness Vineyard) will step into the role of Regional Leaders for Scotland, bringing their heart for the Vineyard movement, passion for church planting, and deep connection to leaders across the region.

They will be supported by Andrew & Lorraine McNinch (Senior Pastors, Falkirk Vineyard), who will come alongside them to provide wisdom, encouragement, and relational support to the Vineyard churches across Scotland as Area Leaders.

We will be commissioning Thomas & Mhairi for their new role during the Scottish Vineyard Gathering (2nd-4th October, Kings Church, Aberdeen)

The Vineyard movement in Scotland continues to flourish, and we are excited for all that God has in store in this next chapter!

Why were Scott & Sarah chosen as the new Lead Pastors?

Scott & Sarah have faithfully served in Catalyst Vineyard for many years, leading sites, ministries, and investing in the church family. As Chuck & Taryn were hearing from God about transition, Scott & Sarah were separately hearing Him about stepping into new leadership. After a thorough, prayerful, and robust selection process, the Trustees, Church Council and Vineyard Leadership were unanimous in their confidence that Scott & Sarah are the right leaders for this next season.

What was the process for appointing new Lead Pastors?

A thorough discernment process was designed that included all four of the groups that make up Catalyst Vineyard’s leadership community: The Pastoral Team, the Church Council, the Trustees, and the wider Vineyard movement.

First, all the Site Pastors were invited to prayerfully fast and then to nominate who, considering all the people in their care, they believed should lead the whole church, and whose leadership they would gladly follow. The result was a landslide in favour of Scott and Sarah.

Following this nomination, the Robertsons were interviewed by the National Directors of the Vineyard movement, John and Debby Wright, alongside Andrew and Rosie McNeil, Associate National Directors. Their next interview was with the Trustees and then the final one was with the Church Council. Each interview resulted in unanimous support, with complete confidence that Scott and Sarah are God’s choice for Catalyst Vineyard Church’s next season.

What does this transition mean for Catalyst Vineyard?

This is a change in leadership, but not in vision or mission, Catalyst Vineyard remains committed to seeing God’s Kingdom come in the North East of Scotland, across the nation and into the nations. Scott & Sarah will continue the church’s heart for multiplication, discipleship, and community impact. It’s a new chapter, but the same faithful God is leading the way.

When will Scott & Sarah become the Lead Pastors of Catalyst Vineyard?

Chuck and Taryn will continue to lead Catalyst until the first weekend in October, which is the weekend of the Scottish Vineyard Gathering.

On that Sunday, 5th October at 3pm, we’ll have a Big Gathering at Kings Church, Aberdeen, during which Scott and Sarah will be commissioned as the new Lead Pastors of Catalyst Vineyard Church. We know this will be a hugely significant moment of celebration in the life of our church and we encourage you to mark it in your diaries now!

How about Sarah’s role as Director of Training for the Vineyard movement?

Sarah will continue as the Director of Training part-time, overseeing among other things the Vineyard Ministry Pathway and the Vineyard Leadership College across the country. However she will be rejoining the Catalyst church staff for the rest of her week as Lead Pastor alongside Scott.

What will happen to the leadership of the Aberdeen North site?

Scott and Sarah will remain as the Site Pastors for Aberdeen North, whilst also stepping into their new role. On reflection, Chuck and Taryn have realised that the way that they led the church without having a "home base" has left them isolated at times. Therefore we have been hugely encouraged to learn that there are similar shaped churches around the world  in which the Lead Pastors maintain a local connection.

We’re still finalising the details but our intention is to add some staff support in the Aberdeen North site to enable Scott and Sarah to fulfil both roles well, being locally connected whilst also present and connected with all the other sites.

How do Chuck & Taryn feel about leaving Catalyst Vineyard?

This transition is both exciting and bittersweet, they love Catalyst Vineyard profoundly and will miss the church family more than words can say. However, they know with confidence that God is calling them to Verso Vineyard, and trust His plans for both churches. They are delighted to leave Catalyst Vineyard in such strong, capable hands with Scott & Sarah.

How can we be praying and supporting the church during this transition?

Please be praying for Chuck & Taryn as they hand over the leadership of Catalyst Vineyard and prepare to move to St Albans. Also do pray for Scott & Sarah as they step into leading Catalyst, and for both churches, that this transition would be full of peace, unity, and excitement for the future.

Times like this can be moments of vulnerability for churches. This would be a great time to continue to invest in the church family by serving in some way and giving generously to the ministry of the church.

Will there be an opportunity to say goodbye to Chuck & Taryn?

Yes! Chuck and Taryn will continue to preach and to lead services around the sites until they finish their leadership role at Catalyst. Please do chat with them when you see them!

We also have every intention of making sure they don’t leave without a celebration, and so more details on this will follow soon.

When will Chuck and Taryn be commissioned at Verso Vineyard?

Following a sabbatical, they will be commissioned as the Senior Pastors of Verso Vineyard on Sunday 11th January 2026.

What if I have more questions?

We encourage open conversations. Please feel free to speak to or contact Chuck and Taryn, the other pastors, the Church Council, or the Trustees.

Above all, we trust that God is leading us through this next season together.