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Do Networks Work?

Network or net-don't-work – do network churches really work?

In the latest edition of the Encounters on the Edge series of booklets – called Do network churches work? - George Lings, director of Church Army's Research Unit, reviews the phenomenon of network churches. These are churches that serve networks of people, rather than parishes, districts or geographical areas.

In 2004, network churches were identified as a hugely important type of fresh expression of church to respond to changing patterns in our society. A decade has now passed since the first network churches began. How have they fared? Why have they not thrived and multiplied as was hoped? What difficulties have they encountered?

George revisits some network churches that have been in existence for six years or more, and returns with a number of sobering thoughts and observations. There is still a need for network churches, but what are the lessons that can be learned from the experience of these early examples?

He writes: '…it seems that the world of the network is not going away. Like mountains which are climbed because they are there, none of the difficulties I have enumerated are reasons for avoiding the task. Perhaps this issue lays out some of the preparation and kit that will be needed.'

Previous issues that have covered network church:

No.7 New Canterbury Tales

No.19 Net Gains