How Your Ministry Network Grows

Do you feel stuck in trying to work together with others in reaching teenagers in your community? Maybe it is time to start growing your ministry network.

The beauty of God’s creation is that everything grows. A tree starts from a seed, grows into a sapling and then produces fruit and multiplies. Likewise in youth worker networking there are stages of growth that ministry networks can go through. Healthy networks go through the levels of Starting, Growing, Serving and Multiplying.

Starting
Every youth worker network starts as an idea. A youth leader, student or parent who is burdened with the needs of youth in their community and realizes there is no way to meet the needs of all teenagers alone. They take their burden to God and form the foundation of all networks in prayer. That person reaches out to other like-minded people who gather to pray together and share their common purpose in relationship.

Growing
As the vision forms to encourage and equip teenagers in the community the small group invites other like minded people to come on board. The group forms relational bonds through trust and meeting together. The focus is on personal sharing and being a part of something bigger than just one church, organization or individual.

Serving
At some point in the life of the network the vision expands to assessing and addressing the needs of youth in community. The conversation happens about what does God want us to accomplish together. The basis of trust becomes a foundation for ministry. The network works together to equip and disciple teenagers to be disciple makers. The fruit of networking is experience in the lives of students being reached and equipped and sent out for ministry.

Multiplying
As the network continues to grow they now look to grow smaller by focusing in on specific regions or schools. The network sprouts other networks. They also look wider to at other areas that need the influence of a ministry network and sows the seeds of working together to those outside their local focus.

Taking it to the Next Level

No matter where your network is in it's maturity, there are tools to help your group grow. Check out our website for more resources.