In our last column, we examined the trend of “movement thinking” by looking at Steve Addison’s, Movements That Change the World: Five Keys to Spreading the Gospel. One of Addison’s keys is “Contagious Relationships.” The author says that “movements spread rapidly, through preexisting networks of relationships.” Of course, I love anyone who champions the strategic importance of intentional networking!
John Chandler
|
Our friend Alan Hirsch similarly claims that movement ethos expresses itself in network structures. He then expands on network theory by describing three kinds of networks:
1. Chain network—the most decentralized network, with each link further removed from the first and only connected before and after it.
2. Hub network—more centralized, though not necessarily hierarchical, because all units connect to a central unit.
3. All-channel network—every point of the network has multiple possible connections to other ports (like a wi-fi network).
Network theory does not focus on “professional leaders.” Networks are started, run and grown by ordinary people. Requirements of high professional standards does not correlate historically with the emergence of movements in Christianity. Rather, the rapid spread of the gospel in history and in the world today is led by highly dense networks of nonprofessionals. They do not depend on external funding, the central office or trained leaders. They find on-the-job training, and recruit and grow their own leaders. They are intentional networkers.
I am delighted by the trend toward more strategic focus on networking. It leads me to map out what networks I currently nurture (chain, hub and all-channel), and which ones I need to create.
One of the best questions that Addison asks is, “Are our methods so simple that the newest believer is employing them?” He adds, “That’s how movements multiply disciples, groups, and communities of faith. They democratize their methods and allow every follower of Jesus to participate” (p. 112).
Baptists who profess the priesthood of every believer should be well-equipped theologically for living out the network building necessary for igniting movements. We know better than to “leave it to the professionals”—right?!
John Chandler is leader of the Spence Network, www.spencenetwork.equip.htm.