Convene
Because the Network is trusted and neutral, we play a unique role in bringing diverse groups and individuals to the same table. This May, at YMEC, heads of evangelical, Pentecostal and mainline youth ministry groups, plus eight different denominations, came together to work through the topic: "Networking in Turbulent Times." Among other things, a prayer network emerged. Over 20 years of doing this, you can imagine the kinds of energy, support and initiatives that result—just by bringing together these kinds of sharp minds and passionate hearts.
Communicate
Human tendencies lead us to work separately, to build "silos," to be independent. The first thing a network has to do is to improve communication between the different elements of the community, to begin to have a vision for reaching it together.
For instance, check out the impact of the network in Kenosha, Wisconsin on David Johnson, a high school student:
"Sometimes at school you feel like you're the only one reaching out to your campus. But now that we have a network where the youth groups are working together, students know that there are other students from other churches at your school. We're realizing that we're all on the same team. We're all working for the same purpose. It totally changes your perspective. And when the church down the street has someone from your school come to Christ, you win too. It's not a competing thing among youth groups. We're all working together – to see students come to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior."
Collaborate
A strength of the Network – after convening diverse groups and communicating the vision – is to bring all the resources to bear on an issue or problem.
In the past we've tackled how to get a ministry on every campus and today there are ministries on over 50% of all high schools. We've tackled abstinence, mentoring, church youth dropout rates, and training volunteers. In each instance we have shown how we could accomplish tangible results together, as we never could have done separately.
We are beginning to apply this same kind of collaborative effort within local communities. Network Community Action Plans (CAP), personalized in each location, are bringing diverse entities together to reach every youth in communities across America.
Consolidate
Sometimes "reaching every teenager" feels impossible. But through the Network, we can "leverage" our resources. Leveraging gives you a large impact with limited resources by putting the emphasis in the right place. That's the unique role of the Network – getting people to work together.
For instance, students have always met to pray, but when See You at the Pole went national, encouraging students to meet at their flagpole to pray on the fourth Wednesday of September, over 2 million students participated in every state! Since God answers prayer, think of the power that has been leveraged for over 20 years now!
That is the same leveraging we want to stimulate in each community that has a Network Community Action Plan. Those who love teenagers will pray and strategize about practical and effective ways to reach teenagers in every corner of their communities, designing things that will unite and energize the community through the power of God's Spirit.