We started here, at the local level, with the vision of a "Network" of simple churches. This seemed to communicate the concept of incorporating simple church expressions into "something larger” than the entities that comprise it. We have adjusted our thinking on this issue. We now endeavor to encourage relationships at the local, regional, national, & international levels. “Networking” (as a verb) becomes simply the act of relating to others of like DNA while protecting the autonomy of each individual expression.
We see the benefit of networking daily at the regional level. A fellow church planter, Bob, recently emailed a urgent prayer request. It happened that one of our house church leaders was at my office at the time. Four of us joined hands and immediately prayed for the need Bob had communicated by email. Bob lives about 200 miles from us, yet thru communication, we are “networking” as necessary. I received a email from a friend, Jason. He is bringing a group over to a joint Passover Seder April 19th . Their community, The Way, is located about 130 miles from us. Other expressions will be represented as well. We have no “official” network (noun) yet the concept of networking is alive and well. This week Suzy & I had dinner with a couple we recently met from a neighboring county who are Luke 10 answers and are on the road to planting a work in their home (I’m sure). The relationship is forming before our eyes.
The point? We can all work to encourage what God is doing in the simple church arena while being careful to protect the autonomy of the individual expressions He is raising up. We are not here to incorporate anyone into our “thing” but to encourage, support, and link together the diversity of what God is building.
How? An email, phone calls, visits, dinners, human interaction…. All of these build relationships that will be of value when need arises. Please consider the value of thinking outside of your immediate surroundings and increase your sphere of relationships.
mickey
www.networkvine.org
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