Vision New England -

Shared Principles – Strategic Leadership Network (SLN)

 

(Version 5.0 – July 1, 2003)

 

1. Strategic Direction

 

1. The Strategic Leadership Network focuses on:

-          long-term strategic issues

-          positive solutions for ministry needs

-          strategic ministries of excellence

-          exposure to Vision New England and other church-based ministries

 

2. In an effort to bring the Body of Christ together in unity, the Strategic Leadership Network serves as a platform for:

-          relationships

-          resources

-          renewed vision

 

3. The Strategic Leadership Network attracts new churches and Regional Advisors into a closer relationship with Vision New England while deepening existing relationships

 

4. The Strategic Leadership Network promotes a philosophy of principle-based ministry

 

5. The Strategic Leadership Network insures participation from multiple denominations, church sizes, races, ethnicities, ages, genders, etc

 

6. The Strategic Leadership Network functions with the full support of the Vision New England Board and Senior Leadership Team

 

2. Structure and Operation

 

1. The Strategic Leadership Network is a Fellowship (*) rooted and centered in a commitment to servant leadership and collegiality

 

2. The foundational unit of the Strategic Leadership Network is the triad of:

 

-          Network Fellow

-          Network Advisor

-          Network Partner

 

3. The Strategic Leadership Network Conferences contain both informal presentations that serve as springboards for discussion & feedback, and open-format discussions that include some “blank page” space

 

4. Proven principles inform the presentations, augmented by successful models and examples

 

(*) A “Fellowship” in the academic and collegial sense.

    Dictionary Definition: a group of equals with the same interests; a mutual sharing

3. Candidates for Strategic Leadership Network

 

1. The Strategic Leadership Network is primarily a Network of Churches

 

2.   The Candidate Churches are demonstrating intentional and innovative       efforts in becoming a healthier church

 

3.      The Candidate Churches represent the broad racial, ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the churches in New England

 

4.      The Candidates representing the churches are able and willing to think strategically and articulate innovative ideas and suggestions. They are regarded as leading-edge thinkers & opinion leaders, and are respected by their peers

 

5.      The Network Advisor Candidates are primarily lay people and/or para-church leaders familiar with multiple churches in their local area. They are recognized as team players and people who share a passion for renewal in New England

 

6.      The Network Advisor Candidates represent:

 

-          the regional diversity (i.e. geographic, denominational, rural/urban, ethnicity, race, church size, etc)

-          ultimately all counties within New England

 

 

4. Nomination and Qualification Process

 

1. The Nominations to the Strategic Leadership Network come from the Network Advisors, Vision New England staff, Denominational and Para-church leaders

 

2. Although the Nomination Process casts a wide net, the nominations satisfy a set of criteria relating to:

 

-          the churches to be admitted

-          the representatives from the churches

-          continued participation in the Network

 

3. The Director of the Strategic Leadership Network submits the lists of nominees to the President for approval

 

5. Value of Feedback

 

1. Listening on the part of Vision New England is a top priority in all aspects of the Network

 

2. Feedback is solicited, analyzed and utilized from each group level (*) and at each stage of the ministry program development

 

3. Presenters at the conference perform needs assessment before developing the presentation

 

4. The feedback given and needs expressed at the conference are used by the Ministry Directors in developing and improving their programs

 

6. Communication

 

1. The Strategic Leadership Network uses high-tech communications tools to achieve high-touch communications objectives

 

2. The Strategic Leadership Network communicates biblical ministry principles to be applied in each church situation

 

3. To communicate more broadly and effectively, the Strategic Leadership Network partners with other organizations that are change agents.

 

7. Commitment to the Strategic Leadership Network

 

1. Ministry Directors prayerfully focus their strategic planning on feedback given by the churches

 

2. Continued participation in the Network and attendance at events determines tenure of membership of the churches and representatives in the Network

 

3. Expenses of the conference are shared between Vision New England and the participants. Vision New England pays for all on-site expenses; the participants pay for travel, lodging and a small registration fee.

 

8. People

 

1. Vision New England values highly the feedback and new ideas from the church representatives and advisors

 

 

(*)  i.e. large group, small group and one-on-one situations