New team leads the relational Elim Network
In 2022, a new team came together to steer the Elim Network¹ and represent its members at a national level.
What is the Elim Network?
The Elim Network is a dynamic network of churches, ministries and ministers who come under the covering and foundational beliefs of Elim but retain independence in areas such as building ownership, governance and charitable status. The network includes a wide range of ministries including evangelists, itinerant preachers and Elim’s growing number of chaplains.
The Elim Network Leadership Team includes five standing members of the National Leadership Team, plus the four elected ECI¹ ministers. The team meets regularly to oversee the vision and development of the Elim Network.
Discover more at elim.org.uk/network
¹Elim Church Incorporated (ECI) is the legal identity of the Elim Network.
Rob Payne
Associate Pastor
COM Church, Dunstable
Why is your church part of the Elim Network?
COM Church founders Doug and Helena Richards joined the Elim Network in 1984 when they began the church. They had been part of an Elim church for many years and wanted to keep their relationship with the movement and stay under its cover rather than start out on their own. The church continues to have great relationships and stands with Elim on its foundational truths, but we have our own buildings and governance too, so it gives us a level of independence.
With your experience, what can you bring to the table?
I have a lot of experience in church leadership, also in children’s and youth ministry as in the past I had the privilege to be involved in what is now Limitless as one of the Regional Leaders. Plus, because we’ve been in the Network for nearly 40 years, I can bring confidence and clarity to those joining it now.
What excites you about being on the Elim Network team?
I want to be able to give something back to the movement. I did my degree and training with Elim and have a lot to be grateful for. But really the whole idea is to serve in whatever way is required. The emphasis of the Network is to have greater links with Elim, and I want to be a part of that.
Debbie Howard
Lead chaplain
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Why are you part of the Elim Network?
I work as an Elim minister in a secular organisation, so the Network suits me well. To be a chaplain in healthcare, you need to be recognised or ordained by an established faith community like Elim.
With your experience, what can you bring to the table?
I bring different qualities to the team because I’ve worked in different roles within Elim. I was an Elim missionary for a long time, an associate minister in a church and now I’m a chaplain, so I understand the differences between various Network members. Also, because I’m a woman, I guess I bring a different perspective to my male colleagues.
What excites you about being on the Elim Network team?
I feel privileged to have been voted on this team and to have the opportunity to contribute. Coming from a chaplaincy role I’m excited to see how we can support other Elim ministers who are working outside of specific church roles. We’ve got evangelists, missionaries, chaplains and others, and being able to support them and bring their perspective to the group is really exciting.
Dave Pickett
Senior minister
Thundersley Congregational Church, Essex
Why is your church part of the Elim Network?
I have an Elim background, and when I came to my church 26 years ago, they were looking for somebody who understood the Pentecostal perspective on the gifts of the Spirit. Our relationship with Elim has strengthened since then. Churches are more vulnerable to litigation and vexatious challenges now, so we do need to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people who have the same theological perspective as us.
With your experience, what can you bring to the table?
Many of the churches that receive support from and contribute to the Elim Network are unique within their own settings, governance and constitution. I’ve also been part of what was the ECI Presbytery and is now the Elim Network for the past 20- plus years, so I have plenty of experience to help us support them.
What excites you about being on the Elim Network team?
It’s the sense of belonging to something bigger than an individual church that has many varied members but a common vision.
Phil Weaver
Pastor
New Springs City Church, Loughborough
Why is your church part of the Elim Network?
I was an Elim Alliance minister for 18 years and now run an evangelistic discipleship and church planting movement called New Springs UK. We are part of the Elim Network, which offers us the best of both worlds in that it enables us to be involved in and attached to something bigger, but also remain independent. There’s a vast amount of support within Elim, and it’s fantastic to be able to tap into that rather than try to recreate the wheel yourself.
With your experience, what can you bring to the table?
I’ve been a minister for 44 years and looked after 130 churches in the Metropolitan Region as a Regional Superintendent, so the experience and wisdom I gained in those roles can help me help others. Also, I was the primary architect of several big changes to the application process, governance and expression of commitment in the Elim Network recently so I can explain how things work.
What excites you about being on the Elim Network team?
I think the Elim Network can grow because it’s open to churches but also to ministries and Christian organisations. There are many churches which wouldn’t or couldn’t join the full Alliance, but they can join the Network, so growth could be extensive.
Elim Network - a shared passion for mission
The heart and vision of the Elim Network is to be a movement of Pentecostal churches, leaders and ministries that offer the potential for partnership without control, that is rooted in a shared passion for mission.
In this way, the Elim Network is a Spirit-empowered network that finds connection through a strong mutual relationship, looking at how we can resource, support and stand with each other without dominating each other’s local agenda, focus or vision. This kind of network is held together by valuable relationships and meaningful participation.
Join the Elim Network
This article first appeared in the November 2022 edition of Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.
Enjoy this article? Don't forget to share