Gathering gives wider Elim family a sense of belonging
Recently Elim Network held its first-ever conference. Stuart Blount and Phil Weaver share some highlights of Network One and explain its importance
Phil: The Network One conference was held on 9 March at the NSC Arena in Loughborough. The Elim Network – formerly known as Elim Church Incorporated (ECI) – was founded 100 years ago, but this was our first ever conference! We had 110 people there, a mix of ministers, chaplains, evangelists and organisations who connect with Elim through the Network. We also had delegates who are considering joining.
Why was the event so important?
Stuart: The day was designed to gather, encourage and support people and let them know they matter within Elim.
Phil: It allowed us to showcase the recently restructured Network and let people meet Elim’s National Leadership Team too, as well as meet each other and share what their ministries have to offer.
Stuart: The Network, or ECI, has existed since 1926 but it’s often been seen as a poorer cousin of the wider movement. Our aim was to build something for independent churches and ministries connected to the wider Elim family that would give them a sense of belonging and partnership in all the movement is doing.
What did the day’s line-up include?
Phil: We began with praise and worship then I hosted various sessions. Outgoing GS Chris Cartwright set the scene and explored the prophetic origins of ECI. We had a Q&A panel to address people’s questions about the Network. Stuart gave an update on where we are today, then we had ‘table time’ for people to mingle and share what God is doing in their lives and ministries.
Mark Pugh also spoke, and that was significant because he had only been announced as the new General Superintendent the day before. It was the first time he’d addressed an Elim body since being elected, and it was wonderful to see how he honoured and prayed for Chris, and Chris for him and his wife Nita. Our main speakers, Gavin and Anne Calver from the Evangelical Alliance, ministered from the book of Jonah. They were great because their knowledge of what is happening across our nation is second to none.
Then we concluded with ministry, where there was a clear move of the Holy Spirit.
What did Network One achieve?
Stuart: There was an incredible sense of family, even for those who came considering whether they want their church to join the Network or not. Three churches have since submitted applications! There was also real engagement and networking. That was a huge encouragement to people who in years gone by might have felt they were on the fringes of Elim but who now feel valued for what they bring to the wider family.
And what’s next for the Elim Network?
Stuart: The future is exciting! We’re in discussions with a number of churches and ministries who are finding independence more isolating than valuable. Knowing there is a movement which will embrace them in their uniqueness but also support each other and stand together in challenging situations can be hugely empowering.
Our hope and prayer is that the Network will provide a home and inspiration for many churches and ministries to connect more deeply and be part of a movement advancing in mission and purpose. We also have an increasing passion for chaplaincy and the opportunities to release people into that ministry. The Network not only provides a credential to endorse chaplaincy ministry but a family which is thriving in the great opportunities it offers.
Phil: The conference was hugely important because it acted as a foundation for building the Elim Network. There was clearly a great appetite for it and I’m convinced it will be the first of many.
Heading to the gym for some resistance!
Mark Pugh highlighted the season that churches are facing where major giants need to be navigated:
In these days, I pray we will operate not out of insecurity, not out of a sense of ‘we have to strive to make something happen’, but out of a sense of the peace of God in our lives.
I believe the time for conflict is over in our churches; the time for competitive approaches and for being a group of people who are only concerned about our bit of the church. It’s time to be at peace with each other, to be at peace with the call of God and with the purposes of God that are manifest to each of us together.
We need to be strengthened. I probably don’t go to the gym as often as I need to but when I go there, everything is against me. There is nothing in the gym that wants to help me. A combination of weights and gravity works against me. Yet that is the point; the adversity of the equipment creates strength.
This is a time for the church not to moan about the opposition, not to moan about the resistance. Instead, it’s a time for us to know the Lord is strengthening the church. I pray we will know peace, I pray we will be strengthened.
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.
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