Vision New England -

Strategic Leadership Network Overview

 

Background Information

 

In September of 2000, Vision New England introduced a unique initiative called the Strategic Leadership Network. The primary purpose is to strengthen the relationship with key churches throughout New England. The Strategic Leadership Network provides an open forum enabling top leaders of these churches to participate in an information exchange on the most pressing ministry issues facing their churches today. We plan to have over 400 key churches across New England participating in this program by 2005

 

From the church’s perspective, this Network provides the church representative--the Network Fellow (*)--with a unique opportunity to gain advance knowledge of Vision New England's ministry directions--and to influence those directions through direct, strategic feedback to Ministry Directors and Vision New England leadership. This strategic information is analyzed and incorporated into future program development.

 

Vision New England has a network of Regional Advisors who are aware of the issues and needs facing the churches in their local area. From a Regional Advisor’s perspective, the "Network Advisor" benefits primarily from increased support for the churches of their local area. It also gives them advance knowledge of upcoming programs that they can share with their churches.  In addition, it provides them with an opportunity to discuss and influence Vision New England's ministry initiatives and services as they apply to the needs of the churches in their area.

 

Candidate Churches for the Strategic Leadership Network

 

 A key candidate church for the Strategic Leadership Network is already demonstrating that they are on the road to health, based on the Ten Characteristics of a Healthy Church.  They are also demonstrating leadership for other churches in their area.

 

Selecting a Network Fellow

 

The selection and nomination of a qualified Fellow who can represent the long-term, strategic interests of the church from a ministry point-of-view is one of the most important tasks of the Network Advisor. The criteria used to identify this person should include but not be limited to the following:

 

-          Senior leader in the client church (i.e. Senior Pastor, key ministry pastor or lay leader who is a strategic thinker & a team player, and who has a passion for renewal in New England);

 

-          In touch with the ministry needs across the entire church;

 

-          Understands the long-term, strategic ministry objectives and priorities of the church, and how outside ministry initiatives can be used to achieve those objectives;

 

-          Influences and approves the type, use and selection of ministry initiatives for the church and/or ministry personnel;

 

-          Motivated to partner with Vision New England; highly values the opportunity to help guide ministry directions in the development of new or enhanced ministry initiatives

 

(*) A “Fellow” in the academic and collegial sense. Dictionary Definition: A member of a group of equals with the same interests; participates in mutual sharing.

 

 

The Network Partner

 

The partnering aspect of the Network is demonstrated when each Network Advisor and Fellow is partnered with a specific Ministry Director or Senior Vision New England Manager to form the fundamental triad. This “Network Partner” serves as a dedicated, informed resource on all aspects of Vision New England activities. This fundamental interactive triad focuses on long-term strategic issues and ministry needs on an ongoing basis. The Partner seeks to understand the ministry needs of the church, the Fellow and the Advisor’s local area. The Partner effectively represents those needs within Vision New England. This partnership gives the churches an opportunity to address their specific needs on a broad range of issues. Typically, the Partner will be in touch with the Fellow and the Advisor on a monthly basis to keep everyone in the partnership abreast of current ministry issues within both the church and Vision New England. From time-to-time, the Partner may engage in short-term need resolution. Or the Partner may inquire of the Fellow and Advisor their opinion on certain ministry needs and/or potential program solutions.

 

Ministry and Program Planning

 

The Network Fellows and associated Network Advisors, in effect, become active members of a Vision New England Ministry and Program Planning Group. During the Network conferences, Ministry Directors share overall ministry and program plans extending into the next year or two. The Fellows provide direct feedback on the information presented to ensure that our development resources meet strategic ministry needs now and in the future. In-depth interaction between the Fellows, Advisors and Partners ensures that the implications of these issues are thoroughly discussed and captured to direct future decisions regarding ministry offerings.

 

Nomination Process – Advice to the Advisors and others who nominate candidates

 

The nomination process is very straightforward.

 

1. Read and understand the Strategic Leadership Network Overview so you can explain the Network to the potential key churches. I welcome the opportunity to present the Strategic Leadership Network concept to any candidate church in New England. I have found that this approach sets everyone’s expectations more clearly and answers virtually all questions on the spot.

 

2. If the candidate church and the potential Fellow are interested, complete the attached Strategic Leadership Profile Form, and send it to me at Vision New England Headquarters.

 

                        jrichardson@VisionNewEngland.org

                        Tel.             (978) 929-9800 x302

                        FAX              (978) 929-9898

 

That's all you, the Network Advisor, need do!!! Then the President will review and approve the Nomination. If approved, I will write a letter to the Fellow and Advisor accepting them into the Strategic Leadership Network.

 

 

Jack Richardson

Director, Strategic Leadership Network

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

Strategic Leadership Network Nomination Form

 

Strategic Leadership and Network Fellow Profile

 

********************************************************************

 

I.   Strategic Leadership Church Name:

 

     Address:

 

     Denomination:

 

     Website:

 

II.  Network Advisor

 

     Name:

     Address:

     Preferred Phone:                                                 Other Phone:

     FAX:

     Preferred E-mail:                                                 Other E-mail:

 

III. Profile of Network Church Representative (Fellow)

 

     Name:                                                                                                                   

     Title:

     Address:                                                                

 

     Preferred Phone:                                                 Other Phone:

     FAX:                                                                      

     Preferred E-mail:                                                 Other E-mail:

 

     Scope of Responsibility and Reputation within the Church

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Senior Pastor (if different)

     Address: (if different)

 

     Preferred Phone:

     FAX:

     Preferred E-mail:
IV.  Briefly describe the Church Environment, in terms of composition of congregation, church vision, special needs, ministries, outreach initiatives, etc., etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Church Membership:               ______

     Average Sunday Attendance:            ______

 

V. How is this church demonstrating that they are on the way to becoming a healthier church, and that they provide leadership for other churches in their local area?

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI.   How will the information exchanged in this Network be used within the church’s strategic plan?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VII.  How will the participation of this church and this representative contribute strategically to ministry and program development of Vision New England?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIII. Would this key church consider letting us use their experiences in articles and/or publications?               Yes                  No

 

    

 

IX. Would they be willing to serve as a test site and/or a reference for new Vision New England ministries or programs?            Yes                  No

 

 

 

X.    Other Comments: