Networking
- People-Specific Resource
Network
Guide to Network Function
The First Meeting: Conducting
The Meeting
It may be helpful to include the following components in your network
meeting:
-
Build relationships
Remember, the goal
of the meeting is not just organizational and functional, it is relational,
so the facilitator will need to be efficient, but personable. Relationships
provide sustainability to accomplishing goals.
-
Worship together
Worship and share
communion with one another. God cares about us as sons and daughters, not
just about the labor we represent for building His Church. Having humbled
ourselves before God, it is easier to humble ourselves before one another.
-
Pray together
Pray together: for
the people, for the raising of leadership in the network, for wisdom in
selection and implementation of projects, for one another.
-
Have a flexible
plan, adjusting the agenda to include expressed needs
Think through how
you should handle the meeting, but be flexible. Make sure all participants
recognize that it is their meeting, not just yours.
-
Develop a Mission Statement
Identify and document the purpose and expectations of your network.
See Sample<>
Covenant / Mission Statement.
Some networks require each member to sign a statement of common goals.
Some networks have found it beneficial to agree upon a Doctrinal
statement. Such statements should leave breathing room for members who
may not have the exact same theological perspective. Many
networks use a widely accepted statement of faith such as that of the Lausanne<>
Covenant.
Contributors
to this material include:
Phill
Butler is International Director of Interdev, an organization serving
the Church in accelerating fulfillment of the Great Commission through
the development, formation and long-term effective operation of international
partnerships for evangelism among the world's unreached people. Interdev
is also the Partnership Development Track of the AD2000 & Beyond Movement.
Steve
Moore previously with Kingdom Building
Ministries is now Vice President of International Ministries for
Emerging<>
Young Leaders.
In addition to developing young leaders around the world, Steve consults
with local churches in the area of people group adoption and resource network
formation. Additionally, he assists churches and networks in developing
people specific prayer mobilization tools such as videos and prayer guides,
and provide training for survey and prayer journey teams.
WebMaster
1/21/99
