Conference plan marks Network’s growth

Elim Network (formerly ECI) is readying itself for an exciting event – its first-ever members’ conference. Organisers Phil Weaver and Tom Skelton explain why it’ll be a day to remember.

As we enter 2024 you’re getting set to hold the first-ever Elim Network conference. Tell us more about it.

Phil: Over the past five years we’ve restructured what was formerly the Elim Church Incorporated from root to branch – including our application process, our expectations of members and the benefits of membership. As we reset ECI into the Elim Network some churches and ministries chose to not go on that journey with us, but we’re now in a very healthy place. It feels like the right time to hold our first conference, so Network One will take place on 9 March at the NSC Arena in Loughborough.

Tom: When Elim Network members go to ELS they get to be part of the massive Elim tribe, but holding a separate event just for them will give us an opportunity to recognise, hear, support and celebrate Network members. We want to offer a programme for the day where we hear about where they’re thriving and where they’re struggling, and to bring God into that whole picture.

What’s on the programme?

Phil: One of our aims is to share the vision for the Network, so Chris Cartwright will be talking about the prophetic foundation of ECI. Stuart Blount, Elim’s Director of Ministry, will share how we’ve got to where we are today with the Network, and where we’re planning to go. We also have Gavin and Anne Calver coming to bring some inspiration from the Word of God. We’ll have roundtable sessions and Q&As too.

Tom: The purpose of the Network is to facilitate Pentecostal mission and ministry. There are people out there – chaplains, evangelists, churches, ministers, itinerant preachers and Christian organisations – who are doing amazing work evangelistically and missionally but who often operate in an isolated way. Elim Network is a place where they can find encouragement, fellowship, advice, resources and direction, and the conference will play a part in offering this. We’re expecting about 150 members, and also others who are interested in joining.

Phil: We don’t only want members to be there. We also want to welcome people who are looking for the covering of a group like Elim and are keen to understand what it’s like to be a part of the Network.

Tell us more about the backdrop to this conference – what’s been happening in the Network recently?

Tom: In the past 12 months we’ve seen a burst of growth; seven or eight churches have joined and we have five or six more – one of which represents another seven churches – who are considering coming on board.

And with this, are you seeing churches from other denominations where things are changing who feel uncomfortable with the way things are heading?

Phil: Yes. We’ve sent a lot of brochures to churches which are independent or in other denominations and are thinking and praying about their identities.

What are the aims for the Network in 2024?

Phil: We believe we will welcome more ministries and churches, and we’d like to start planning a second conference for 2025 too. We’d also like to encourage links between Network members – evangelists who can mentor other evangelists, chaplains who can mentor other chaplains and so on. Or if someone has a particularly good discipleship course or evangelist on their team they could tell other members about them.

Tom: It’s about facilitating a much more active and dynamic relationship between people and to help them feel they are being heard and that they can contribute towards shaping the Network.

Phil: We’re working hard to forge ties between the Elim Church Alliance and the Network that show we’re on the same team, on the same page and have the same mission. We don’t want Network churches to feel second-class to Alliance churches. I can testify that that’s not true because mine is an Elim Network church. If I phone Elim I have access to everyone, whether I want advice on church planting, training or anything else. So Network churches can get advice on safeguarding, financial regulations, charity law and much more.

How can others get involved?

Phil: The potential for Elim Network is enormous, and to have the backing of the whole of Elim’s National Leadership Team is very important to us. If there are any churches, ministries or Christian organisations out there who would like to know more they can request a brochure from us – or why not come to the conference!

Tom: And most Elim ministers have relationships with leaders of independent churches. We’d love them to invite them to the conference and wave the flag for the Elim Network.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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