HOUSE CHURCH ARTICLES
Page Six
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESOURCE NETWORKS and an ORGANIZATION
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RESOURCE NETWORKS and an ORGANIZATION
- Grace Wiebe
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Some of you may be wondering whether the Canadian House Church Resource Network
is an organization. We are a resource network... In order to help you to understand
some of the differences between organizations and networks, we have included
the chart below.
| RESOURCE NETWORK | ORGANIZATION |
| Shared vision and relationship brings together people of common interest (ie. Nehemiah example) | Employees may join an organization for various reasons – financial, shared vision or whatever |
| Voluntary cooperation – unofficial and based on relationship and shared vision – no legal documentation – not a legal entity – strictly a voluntary entity | Cooperation based on official documents/legal documents/agreements/specific application process, hierarchal leadership structure, etc. |
| Autonomy yet voluntary cooperation between those networking together – those working in particular regions make decisions with those they’re working with. Functional relationship with network facilitators is based on developing relationship, shared vision, prayer and mutual decision-making. | Employees do not usually have much say as to what happens in their regions...that usually comes from the top down. There is not usually autonomy. |
|
Structure - very flat and very loose - minimal Can flex easily as needed |
Hierarchal and usually quite tight and often cumbersome structure. Very difficult to flex due to the structure. |
| Networks seek to serve those voluntarily connected with the network – through casting vision, providing opportunities, potential network relationships, prayer, support, resources, research, consultation, education, coordination of events or resources which would benefit those networked together, encouragement, etc. | Vision often begins to become a slave to the structure. Mechanical in nature. |
| Organic – minimal structure serves the vision and is based on relationship and lay leadership | |
| Decentralization – everyone can have input – facilitation team does not have control – it is a service provider | Control with top leaders |
| Accountability – mutual accountability between those connected through relationships – especially local relationships | Accountable to supervising leaders – generally accountability is one way |
| Desire to partner together with others for the sake of the Kingdom | Often becomes a kingdom unto its own |
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