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What you need to know

Why Mission Networks?
How effective is your Mission Network model?
How are Mission Networks organized?
What do you mean by "affinity-based"?
What is the role of the local congregation?
What is the overall strategy for growth?
How are Mission Networks held accountable?
How are new Mission Networks formed?
What are the requirements for a new officially recognized Network?

Why Mission Networks?

The Anglican Mission believes Mission Networks are an effective model to plant new churches and strengthen existing congregations. Unlike static institutions or structures such as dioceses, our networks promote creative, decentralized ministry where leaders can proactively establish and release ministries that work together for a common cause.

How effective is your Mission Network model?

Our Mission Networks are committed to producing measurable results - fruit of their efforts. Network Teams develop and assess strategic, mission-focused objectives annually in consultation with their overseeing Missionary Bishop and the Chairman of the Anglican Mission. Mission Networks are also self-replicating, launching both new congregations and other networks.
Statistically, the average success rate for church plants is 30%, while Anglican Mission church plants enjoy a 90% success rate. We attribute much of this achievement to the Mission Network model, and the church consultation assistance we provide which includes nationally acclaimed coaches.
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How are Mission Networks organized?

Mission Network Leaders develop an affinity-based team with specific giftings. These teams generally include individuals who focus on mission strategy, leadership development, administration, clergy care, prayer and communications.
The Network Leaders and Teams nurture a sense of community, encourage Network congregations, champion the vision and values of the Anglican Mission and ensure accountability. In addition, they identify, equip and release leadership for the Anglican Mission; discern and implement local mission strategy; as well as identify and apply financial resources for mission.
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What do you mean by "affinity-based"?

Affinity has played an important role in theAM from its first days. Mission Networks are typically based on some combination of cultural similarity, mission strategy and geography. Congregations are free to thoughtfully join the Mission Network with which they find the greatest kinship, anticipating a long-term commitment. One Missionary Bishop provides primary oversight for each Mission Network.
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What is the role of the local congregation?

The local congregation, functioning within a Mission Network, is the primary missionary unit of the Anglican Mission. Individual churches are called to multiply - they make disciples who make disciples.
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What is the overall strategy for growth?

The Anglican Mission grows in three ways. We receive active congregations seeking to join; we respond to lay-initiated fellowships that request our assistance in moving to congregational status; and we strategically initiate new works.
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How are Mission Networks held accountable?

In May 2006, the Anglican Mission drafted a Network Development Manual which provides increased clarity and definition to the work of networks within the Mission. This document remains an evolving work seeking to establish "best practices" of effective Mission Networks.
As required by our Archbishop, all Mission Networks and their congregations are ultimately accountable to the Chairman of the Anglican Mission for faithfulness to the vision and values of the Mission. The Missionary Bishops and the Network Leaders to whom executive authority has been delegated are accountable to the Chairman for the proper exercise of their authority.
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How are new Mission Networks formed?

In the early growth of theAM, existing congregations tended to cluster together through some combination of affinity and geography. As we have grown, it has become common for existing Networks to "birth" new ones, often as a by-product of emerging churches. We encourage entrepreneurial creativity within our Network Teams in planning and launching new Mission Networks.
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What are the requirements for a new officially recognized Network?
  • Be in relationship with an overseeing Missionary Bishop.
  • Have a fully functioning Network Team working in harmony with national leadership.
  • Have a clearly articulated mission strategy that includes the identification of leadership and mission sites for new work.
  • Be in alignment with the vision, values and goals of the Anglican Mission.
  • Be financially self-supporting and participating in the 10-10-10 model.
  • Exhibit fruit through gathering, planting and serving dynamic churches in the Anglican tradition.
  • Be approved by the Council of Bishops.


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