Catalysts

Catalysts are the people with the initial vision for the potential network. Catalysts build the personal credibility and relational connections that can draw others together. Catalysts develop a network of relationships, identify interest, and cast a vision for working together.

Research

Catalysts conduct thorough research in order to better understand the ministry area and its challenges, become aware of work already ongoing, identify potential participants, and strengthen their own credibility in relationship with these other leaders.

Relationships

Catalysts develop a network of relationships with a significant number of those who are influential, already involved, or sincerely interested in the common ministry concern. Catalysts take the time to make connections, build trust, and listen carefully to others.

Discernment

Catalysts constantly listen to God in prayer and discern how the individual calling of each potential partner can connect to a compelling vision of what can be done together. Catalysts are attentive to the level of interest among all potential participants to determine if the time is right to call a meeting of all potential participants.

Champions

Champions are individual participants in the network who have a high level of commitment. Champions advocate for greater engagement in the network from their own organizations and wider spheres of influence.

Consensus

Champions work through consensus to develop a sense of common ownership in the groups. They decide together whether or not to move forward as a network. They encourage decision-making based on consensus. They find agreement around the big vision, the primary obstacles or challenges, and the achievable objectives that can be accomplished together.

Commitment

Champions clearly see the benefit of the network for themselves and their ministries. They advocate for the network’s vision among their own colleagues and associates. They secure commitment from their own organizations and others in their spheres of influence in order to contribute knowledge, talent, and other resources to the network.

Facilitation

Good meeting management and group facilitation is critical to the successful launch and growth of a network – from the first Formation meeting to all the working meetings that follow. Champions who lead discussion groups, working groups, or other meetings must be good facilitators of group discovery and decision-making.

Coordinators

Coordinators – also commonly called Facilitators – provide operational leadership for the network. Facilitators are often loaned to the network by a participating organization to serve in a neutral role to coordinate the activities of the network. Facilitators encourage the network to greater collaboration while staying focused on the big vision.

Communication

Facilitators foster frequent, interactive communication among the participants and with others outside the network who have an interest in the network’s success. Facilitators keep progress visible for all participants – widening the breadth and depth of commitment and strengthening trust in the process of working together.

Implementation

Facilitators keep the focus of the network on results while strengthening personal relationships. They effectively organize and motivate the network to work together on specific objectives through various working groups.

Evaluation

Facilitators constantly evaluate the network with regard to their process (how well the participants are working together) as well as their purpose (what the participants are actually accomplishing). They create regular reports that keep all participants informed and encouraged.