Developing a network
You sometimes see them sitting along the side of a ditch or gully: match anglers. All of them are doing the same thing. Spending hours peering at a float. But it is every man for himself. Now someone has a bite here, then someone a bit further on.
The church often seems to organise itself like a fishing contest, every man for himself. When we came to live in Feijenoord three years ago - an area with 77,000 inhabitants in Rotterdam South - we had no idea what was out there in terms of missionary and diaconal initiatives. We did get a need for them, especially to get clear on whether and how we should pioneer in our new neighbourhood. Just then, we were asked to set up such a diaconal network.
We didn't have to think long about it. From experience, we knew the importance of cooperation. When we started the intercultural pioneer place ICF Veenendaal in 2012, we involved 21 local churches from eight denominations. They were willing to give 5xG: Prayer, Money, Buildings, Believers as volunteers and Conversation through a sounding board group. And we in turn were able to share 2xG: Hospitality and Testimonies. Together we were a lot stronger.
Again, when pioneering in 010, we did a lot of networking. We asked our supporters to pray with us; friends and acquaintances held a 30-plus hour prayer marathon. Through Facebook, we formed a Corona neighbourhood support group; we met all kinds of new people. To entrepreneurs, we told our story: they are happy to think and act with us. So it is the network that takes us further, spiritually, missionarily and financially.
Within Feijenoord, we identified 17 diaconal projects and 26 churches and pioneer spots. Together, we form the new diaconal network Hand in Hand. On the first meeting evening, we took a fishing rod. By throwing each other the float, a net of fishing line was created. The image spoke for itself: working with the net is not only more effective, it is also much more fun and, moreover, testifies to unity in Christ. Therefore: hand in hand comrades!
Carolien and Hans Euser
network leaders, Intercultural Church Plants (ICP)
