Proposal for Network Equipping Teams
Goal: A vibrant family of Jesus Christ in close reach – culturally and geographically – of every human, beginning (for us) in Canada.
A Network Equipping Team (N.E.T.) is a group of interdependent workers who have devoted themselves to join the Lord in fulfilling the goal above for a specific Canadian city, region or people group.
Working Convictions: God is already at work preveniently preparing hearts. Our task is to join him by 1) praying for harvesters; 2) going into the harvest looking for people of peace; 3) leading people of peace to follow Jesus; 4) assisting these new believers as they lead their family and friends to become a vibrant family of Jesus; 5) that will continue this process throughout their people group and beyond. (See Luke 10)
A healthy N.E.T. functions catalytically – that is, they accelerate this process of saturation church planting without being used up along the way. This means they are able to sustain their work over extended periods with multiplying effectiveness.
Functions of the N.E.T.:
• Prays in detail for their area, for harvesters there, and catalyzes such prayer in others.
• Identifies receptive pockets or communities where people of peace are found.
• Follows the Lord to initiate new Kingdom families (churches) in/among those they identify.
• Discovers the functional harvest force at work in the area or metropolis.
• Cultivates collaborative relationships with other harvest force leaders.
• Works with other harvest force leaders toward complete people group representation in the area.
• Works out through each people group toward a vibrant family of Jesus Christ in close reach of every person in the area or metropolis.
• Steadily trains/coaches other emerging leaders to do the same throughout their city, in adjoining cities and globally.
To carry on these functions, a typical team will give attention to each function, though focus and emphasis will vary among team members and will over time change for the group as a whole. The team members will come from a variety of backgrounds and life situations. Therefore, group dynamics will be unique for each team.
In order to build community and be intentional about accomplishing God’s purpose a N.E.T. will need to meet on a regular basis. These meetings are not intended to be the main focus of a N.E.T. but rather are intended to provide opportunities to interact with one another, learn from one another, encourage one another, cooperate with one another, collaborate with one another and be the church as Christ intended.
N.E.T. meeting has four main parts (R. E. A. P.):
1. Relationship building component (3 John 1:5-7):
a. Praise/Celebration – testimonials of what God has done through your church
b. Prayer, regarding workers for the harvest, listening to God, obedience to Him and a willingness to teach others.
c. Dialog on God’s activity in each of our lives. Those who are struggling with an area can share their struggle(s) and the group can share their experiences in overcoming similar situations. This is not a structured session but takes place as we share together and have a desire to help and enable each other in the ministry.
d. A time for sharing the vision and report on what is happening in the various regions represented and around the country.
2. Equipping component options (Ephesians 4:11-16): break away groups of two to four, to discuss, receive coaching and equipping in the three areas of community (together focus), discipleship (inward focus) and ministry (outward focus). These are not courses but are conversations of some of the key elements that we need to encourage in our families and gatherings. These sessions are an opportunity to spend time with those who will coach you in areas in which they have experience and gifts. Some examples would be:
a. Vision, Philosophy and Values of the House Church (Simple Church) – [primarily for new comers.]
b. Group dynamics and multiplication
c. Developing House Church Leaders
d. Evangelism training, ideas and planning
e. Discipleship philosophy, methods and tools
f. Worship and Prayer
g. Web set up and Ministry
h. Story Telling
i. Special resource people
3. Action plans (Luke 14:28-30)
4. Prayer (Luke 10:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The time would be divided into two main sessions each being an hour to an hour and a half in length. This will account for the 2 to 3 three hour time allotment for the N.E.T. Meeting.
The ideal size for these meetings would be from 8 to 20 people. Of course the numbers can be flexible, but like a home church, the dynamics of the group change as the size of the group changes. When we get beyond 16 people we begin to lose intimacy and participation which creates belonging, which is a key value of House Churches. Therefore we need to intentionally plan to multiply these teams across our city, province and country. It also means that we will need to equip people to facilitate these teams and be coaches and mentors to others who share the vision of the house church movement. Finally, for this team to be effective it needs to exhibit in its’ attitude and actions what it means to be part of Jesus’ family.
Adapted from material on Luke10.
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