2. Shared Focus
Secondly, good networks are focused…moving together toward a collective objective.
When a network of youth leaders work together toward a common, collective objective, it’s a beautiful and biblical thing.
In John 17:18-23, Jesus said, “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Jesus is sending his church as a collective network (that demonstrates Trinitarian unity to a watching world) so that “the world may believe” that Jesus himself was sent by God.
When the youth leaders of a city/community gather together to conspire for the cause of Christ and “run” toward a singular objective (every teen hearing the Gospel from a friend) they, not only demonstrate unity and synergy to a cynical world, they answer Christ’s high priestly prayer in John 17…that we may work together toward the goal of teenagers reaching teenagers with the gospel.
This means we need Gospel Advancing networks that are more about advancing the Good News of Jesus than about advancing our own agenda. This is the finish line we fix our eyes on as we run toward the goal of reaching the next generation together.
3. Shared Strength and Synergy
Thirdly, healthy networks create a sustained movement…emotionally, spiritually, relationally and missionally.
Back to the mini marathon, I (Randy) remember about mile 10 that I wanted to quit. My legs were sore, I was burning up, and more and more people were passing me. My body was saying quit, my mind was saying quit, but I was with a running partner and together we were not going to quit. Later, we found out that both of us wanted to quit, but together we kept going and finished.
A healthy network allows us to lean on each other when we are in a spiritual battle, when we are just worn out, or when we have moved one-degree off of our vision-mission. I have been in my network for over 23 years. While the people of the network have changed over the years, we still remain friends. I know, I wouldn’t still be in ministry in this community if it wasn’t for my network.
We have a shared vision of youth leaders working together so that every teen hears the Gospel from a friend. Alone, we can make some progress. But together, we have a chance, through the strength of the Almighty God and the synergy of a strong network, to win the race before us.
Let’s run together. Let’s reach this generation together. Let’s cross the finish line together and proclaim, like Philippides, “We have won!” Then let’s, together, collapse into the arms of the One who ran before us and hear him whisper in our ears, “Well done my good and faithful servants!”
This article originally appeared here.
