Conservative Truth - Networking our Nets - Dr. Rick Kendall

People ask me, "Why do you believe in networking the community of God's Kingdom with such a passion?" 20 years ago I stepped out of pastoring a local church and embarked on this pioneering of relational unity in Christ because I am convinced it is the only way we will reach the world effectively. This was expressed as the heart of God when Jesus said. "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21). The apostle Paul went on to say; "Now you are the Body of Christ (one), and members (parts) in particular." (1Corinthians 12:27)

Global networking is being abused for money in world economies, Hollywood stars network for the current cause, and even corrupted militants (who don't like each other) network for world takeover, but for some reason, the church-world has had difficulty uniting for the spread of the gospel of God's Kingdom. In most cases, we've become subcultures. Uniting forces does not mean we all become one ministry but we are many distinctive ministries resourcing together in the one Headship of Christ. The local church is vital, but then there is also the regional, national, and international Body of Christ that needs to link together to be strong!

Thinking one ministry, one denomination, or one man will reach the world is immaturity, and while God will always raise up specific leaders, the goal on the heart of global visionaries will be to equip and cultivate a worldwide community of interconnected champions. Of course, we have to be discerning about who we connect to and stand uncompromisingly on the constitution of God's Word, but it is an hour when we absolutely must identify the company of saints we can join hands with outside of our own individual walls. I Corinthians 3:9 puts it perfectly: "For we are laborers together with God: we are God's husbandry (garden), we are God's building."

Being an independent island is dangerous and while it may grow big in numbers for a time, ultimately it results in being a big isolated target for the enemy to hit. We must learn how to work our nets together now and stop being the guy who stands alone with a single fishing pole called "my ministry." Even personality-driven revivals spotlighting “one man” are no longer going to be the focus, and while there are always lead visionaries that spearhead much that God does, it’s a time of greater maturity for the Body of Christ to activate for Kingdom advance. God never repeats Himself, but He is pro-forward. Progress, process, promotion, and has made us a united citizenship of pros that colonize the world with the gospel.

After the crucifixion of Jesus some of His disciples, (thinking their cause was dead), went back to their old profession of fishing, and they fished all night catching nothing. Then suddenly a voice from the seashore called out and said; "Cast your net on the right side of your ship, and you will find the fish" (John 21:6).

When they caught nothing all night, who would've thought two feet on the other side of the boat was where the fish were hiding?... But when the innovative Word of God is released, the results are impacting. When they realized it was Jesus giving the direction, they were astonished, not only at the catch but that Christ had risen! Peter, (the lead fisherman) had gone back to fishing for fish (the past) while the Plan of God actually launched forward! There are three things to glean from this, especially for the times we are in.

1. Concerning the Kingdom of God, when apparent setbacks come, don't go back to the former familiar or comfortable place, but let the challenge become a transitional place of launching forward into the resurrection of a new level of progress.

2. Your decisions never just affect you, but your choices can influence those around you who are looking for direction in their time of indecision. When Peter told the disciples that he was going back to fishing, they instantly went with him. Returning to old roots got them old results - no fish. Whether you realize it or not, somebody is following your lead.

3. When it comes to innovative progress, networking is the only way to handle the results. No one man could handle the boat sinking load alone just as no one man or woman can reach the whole world alone. So it's a matter of transition (innovation), timing (to the Word), & teamwork = a harvest of treasure multiplied!

Networking is many working multiple nets together. One can put a thousand to flight, but two can put ten thousand to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30). At the innovative Word of Jesus, these men had to abandon their old mindsets of the past and together work in one accord to shape their skills into a new dimension of networking. Conventional “lone ranger” thinking is the biggest hindrance to innovative revelation. The foundation of God is not a campground, but a launching pad to the construction of the house God is cultivating.

I wonder if God is calling out to you to stop working the old side of the boat all by yourself and launch out into discovery of the side that takes you into new paradigms of progress in sync with others called to compliment your assignment. True Kingdom citizens don’t form clicks or sub-cultural camps, but find ministers, business people, and leaders who have their significant and unique assignments. They are not intimidated to resource strengths together to as a local, regional, and global team that work nets that bring an impact felt around the world!

Networking our Nets

July 16, 2018