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What is a Network - Really?
September 18, 2009 • By Tim Taylor
In previous articles I've focused on the term "apostolic." Now I want to focus on the "network" part of "apostolic network."
Network is a term that is used frequently and very loosely in the body of Christ today. It is common to hear leaders talk about "their network" or that they are building an apostolic network.
It will be helpful for you to understand some convictions I have. Personally, I am one who puts great weight upon the scripture. I like to discover what the scripture says about a topic and then I like to "do it." I like to put faith into action. Teaching and or talking about an apostolic network is not the same as doing it. The simple term network is pretty straight forward. It implies a "net" of people or organizations that "work" together for some common purpose.
All teaching, pontificating, dreaming, envisioning of "apostolic networks" is frustrating, if strategic (apostolic) coordinated (net) action (work) with wisdom related to the kingdom of God is not taken. I feel frustrated and cheated when the term "network" is used but there is no work or fruit that proceeds from that network. This usually occurs when a gift other than a real apostolic gift is in the lead. There is a reason why 1 Corinthians 12:28 says God set firstly apostles, secondarily prophets and thirdly teachers. If a true teacher is in the lead. They will teach what the scripture says really well. Prophets will impart great vision. They are functioning and doing exactly what their gift is designed to do. But how many of us realize that great teaching and great vision, without application will eventually only lead to great frustration. Faith without works is dead. Works without wisdom only creates a lot of activity. An apostolic network needs an apostolic gift in the lead because God has anointed them with a gift of wisdom to empower them to know what to do in order to put the teaching in action and bring the vision into reality.
The primary goal in this series of articles is to communicate clearly to my CONECTers about changes in Watchman Ministries International, Operation Rolling Thunder and CONECT. As a leader I cannot hold anyone accountable until I have clearly communicated. With that in mind, it is my intention to teach you what a "network" is and what a network does. At the end of this series of articles you will know:
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What kind of apostolic network is WMI
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What is the work that this network of leaders/CONECTers does
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What is the fruit of this work
In Luke 5:4 Jesus tells Simon to launch into the deep and let his "nets" down. Note that nets is plural. There is more than one net. The purpose of the nets was to catch fish. Simon did not obey the Lord. He only used one net. The harvest of fish was so great that his net was breaking. I have told leaders many times that God is not building "A" network today, but he desires to build a network of NETWORKS.
Network Defined
The first place that "network" is introduced in the bible is in Exodus 27:4. "You shall make a grate for it, a network of bronze; and on the network you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners." NKJV This network was part of the bronze altar for burnt offerings. The Hebrew word translated network in the King James is actually made up of two Hebrew words.
The first word is resheth. Strongs Concordance defines it as OT:7568 tv#r#resheth (reh'-sheth); from OT:3423; a net (as catching animals). The root word is "yarash" and it means to occupy by driving out the previous tenants or possessing their place. It is translated in the King James as expel, inherit, magistrate, get, take possession, succeed and seize.
The second word maaseh. Strongs Concordance defines it as OT:4639 ma`aseh (mah-as-eh'); from OT:6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property. It is translated in the King James as act, art, business, labor, occupation or possession, handy-needle-net working or workmanship. It is from the root word asah which is translated as accomplish, advance, appoint, busy, exercise, govern, grant, journey, labor, make or workman.
Resheth or net is used in the following scriptures. In Ezekiel 32:4 it says that God will spread His net with a company of His people. In Psalm 57:6 an enemy has spread a net to catch the Psalmist and in Psalm 31:4 the Psalmist asks for God to deliver him from the net that he is ensnared in.
In the New Testament the word translated net or nets like in Luke 5:4 is the Greek word diktuon and it means to cast a seine for fishing, or net. A seine is made up of a series of lines or rope knotted together at regular intervals.
Combining all those scriptures and definitions together we learn that:
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God wants to net-work networks because the harvest is so large that no one network could handle it all
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Networks exist to catch, govern, and succeed
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It is implied that networks are made for war and to drive out previous tenants, to seize or to occupy and possess territory
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Here is a major revelation, networks require WORK or action.
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There is an occupation, skill, art or workmanship required to build a network that accomplishes its task or governs over its responsibility
Drawing on the previous article, apostle or apostolic carries the following characteristics. The gift or function is made to:
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Deliver a message
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Act as an ambassador for King Jesus
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Develop strategy
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Mobilize and order the body of Christ for spiritual war
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Establish order
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Lay foundation
What Kind of Apostolic Network is WMI?
In a previous article we learned that WMI is currently an expression of two kinds of apostolic networks; an ambassadorial and a militant network!
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As the ambassador I carry a message regarding Isaiah 56:7 and Acts 15:6. It is about building a House of Prayer for all nations through restoring David's fallen tabernacle.
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The strategy to mobilize an army for spiritual war is found in Operation Rolling Thunder (ORT)
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Order is established through the apostolic councils formed through the Transformation Task Forces in ORT.
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Foundational biblical principles are delivered through the strategy for CONECT (Christian Outreach Network Establishing City-wide Teamwork).
What is the work that our network of leaders/CONECTers do?
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Transform society through the presentation of the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:17)
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Build a house of prayer for all nations (Isa. 56:7)
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Mobilize the body of Christ as a spiritual army for prayer and action (Ezk. 37:1-10)
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Form apostolic councils city by city to discern God's plan city by city and to connect the massed concentrated on going prayer to the strategies God gives them for that city. (2 Cor. 10:304 & Prov. 24:5-6)
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Network networks city by city, region by region, state by state and nation by nation to facilitate kingdom teamwork (Eph. 4:26)
The fruit of this work is:
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Kingdom unity around a common purpose in a common geographic area connected to the whole
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Increased salvations, water baptisms, and healings
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Decreasing crime
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Kingdom minded businesses and people covenanted with the House of Prayer from all seven spheres of society in a city see uncommon success and advancement in their field.
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