Network Realignment
The NW Network Presbytery has been discussing the idea of multiplication for the past couple of years in order to better prepare us for what we envision to be a significant season of Multiplication in 2012 and beyond. The Church Multiplication Initiative is a product of these discussions and emerging vision. There are still millions of people in our own Network who have yet to be introduced to Jesus. We hope to see the addition of at least 150 new church plants, multi-sites, language and ethnic churches in the next decade, along with growth of our existing churches through the addition of worship venues, and continued focus on evangelism as a critical part of God’s Mission.
To better prepare ourselves for this growth on a grassroots level, the Network Presbytery took action last year to closely examine our Sectional/Area boundaries along with redefinition of the role of a Presbyter (Sectional/Area Leader). This has been done with an eye toward providing better individual member care and to posture us for the growth we feel God has in mind for the Assemblies of God in the Northwest. For instance, the role of the Area Presbyter is now focused upon the task of “connecting” member ministers with God, each other, and resources that will make us better pastors and leaders in God’s multiplication efforts in the Northwest.
The end-result of those discussions was a decision to realign a number of Sectional/Area boundaries as follows: Mt. Baker, Skagit, Greater Everett, Olympic Peninsula, West Sound, Metro North, Metro Northeast, Metro South, Tacoma, South Pierce, Capital, Mt. Rainer, Lower Columbia, Yakima, Tri-Cities, Columbia Basin, Wenatchee Valley, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, North Idaho, and Snake River.
These steps are being taken on an experimental basis to determine if we might be able to better serve areas where ministers are either highly concentrated (in heavily populated areas), or in areas where geographic distances might be preventing consistent and natural connection with other ministers due to distance or other factors. Not all areas are affected by the changes, but those that are will be holding special Sectional/Area Business Meetings where questions can be answered and new leaders selected. As always, churches located on the edge of an Area Boundary line may self-select as to which Section/Area they feel is going to be most conducive to networking and connecting.
Changes will be implemented following Network Conference in April, but pre-conference Sectional/Area business meetings is where questions will be answered and Area Leaders will be selected. You are encouraged to participate in that process, and you will be hearing from your Area Leader about specific dates, times, and location of your upcoming Sectional/Area Business Meeting. I am pleased to be part of what God is doing in the Northwest!
