About Ethnos Network
Who We Are
The Ethnos Network is an Association of Churches that looks to start new spaces for people to explore and connect with Jesus and what He is doing in our world. Our communities are uniquely called to live in and serve the urban areas surrounding major global universities. While the Network comes together for this purpose and is based on the values listed below, underneath it all is relationships: we come together because we love, believe in, and trust each other.
Our Values
Each community in the Network is characterized by particular values, including:
Incarnational Presence; Intentional Ethnic & Socioeconomic Diversity; Holistic Transformation; Heart & Mind; Jesus as Leader, Focus and Message; Bridge Building & Partnerships.
Most communities/churches in the Network are also associated with other denominations or networks. We believe that, especially for new church plants, affiliation with multiple networks is healthy and needed.
What We Do
The Ethnos Network facilitates the creation of these churches by providing:
Relationships
Ministry is hard when you feel like no one “gets you.” We are a tribe of practitioners working in the similar multiethnic-urban-university area context. To be a part of the Network is to enter into real relationships of love, support, and encouragement. These relationships are the foundation for all that we do; we cannot do the hard work of planting churches and sacrificing for each other without trusting relationships.
Expertise
We have unique individuals, communities, and connections as a Network that help practitioners in the multiethnic-urban-university area context. From global multi-lingual/cultural music sheets to on-the-ground training in urban exegesis, research-based university campus evangelism to discovering pathways of multi-class community, we’ll connect you the sources for more effective and greater growth. To be a part of the Network is to tap into these resources.
Finances
To be clear, we are not a network geared to raise financial support. However, to join the Network is to be adopted by other churches in the Network and also adopt other plants in the Network, and more often than not that involves finances. We also have connections to a few foundations that we can introduce you to for funding.
Structure & Leadership
Structure
The Ethnos Network is a multinucleated, decentralized network. If you’ve heard of how the spider and the starfish operate differently, then think “starfish” when you think of how we operate. Every established church in the Network is a center of decision-making and multiplication. Each site chooses to be in a relationship with other sites, with various types of support (including financial) developing from those relationships.
Leadership
With the above in mind, there are two leadership teams within this starfish structure. The first team, the Network Oversight Team, consists of lead pastors from each site. This team is ultimately responsible for the overall vision and health of the Network. The second team is a set of teams, known as the Translocal Teams. These teams are formed yearly to facilitate the basic functions of the Network, including incorporating new planters and cities, putting on the Global Gathering, creating global music and arts, and more.
Our Partners
Church planting is not done alone. Discover our partners.
