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AN INTRODUCTION
Well, I suppose an introduction is in order.
My name is Mark Copley, and through an auspicious series of events, I have been asked to serve as the new Director of the Nazarene Organic Church Network. (If interested you can read more about me here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/mark.copley1/info)
The role of Director of the NOCN has been played honorably by Darrell MacLearn, who is now planting churches in the Southwest with the Free Methodists. I cannot begin to emphasize the importance of Darrell's work the past four years. He has planted the seeds that have sprung up in this Network in the form of new leaders and churches. He has not only served an apostolic role through his work on the Dallas District, where he oversaw the planting of several churches, but in his ministry of training and advocating for organic church planting across the US and Canada, he has opened the hearts and minds of Nazarene leaders to this burgeoning movement. God has used him as a pioneer for us. His work will continue with a different denomination, but he will also be available to us as a coach and consultant to many of our churches and leaders. No doubt we will miss his leadership.
I cannot, nor to I wish to try to fill Darrell's shoes. In fact, through our recent discussions with the NOCN Task Force, we agreed that such would not be expected of the new Director. The traveling, speaking, and sowing (if you will) that Darrell did, has provided enough fruit that we can now trust the work to continue through local, district, and regional representatives. Our task force will oversee and work as a team to assure as much. We will work together to provide training opportunities, resourcing, and speakers when requested.
My new role as Director is much more about communication -- both with the Network, and encouraging communication within the Network. I will also represent the Network in denominational settings to keep those ties strong (this is essential to our movement). For those eager to help with these transitions, and with the health of the Network, here are some requests:
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PRAY for me, the members of our task force, and for the Organic Church planters, and churches you find listed on this site. Pray that this movement will continue to find favor with District, Regional, and Denominational Leaders. Pray also that the Lord of the Harvest will send laborers into his harvest fields (Luke 10:2). Many set an alarm on their cell phones at 10:02am daily to remind them to do so.
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CONNECT your Organic Church to the Network. (You can do that here: http://organicnazarene.net/connecting/connect-to-the-network) Information is also available here to register your church as a Church Type Mission (CTM). This requires the approval of your District Superintendent, but is an important step for your church to take.
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SHARE your stories of what God is doing in your Organic Church. Tell us stories of new life, adventures in church planting, and stories particular to organic ways of being the church. This is well worth your time, and encourages everyone in the Network. (Don't wait go here now, and write your story: http://organicnazarene.net/submit-your-story)
When asked to share the vision for the Nazarene Organic Church Network, Darrell would always say, "A Church Within Walking Distance Of Everyone In The World". It's a breath-taking, audacious idea, that no doubt is born in the heart of God, and is the logical conclusion of the fulfillment of Jesus' mission. Let's pursue it together!
In Jesus,
Mark Copley
Director
Nazarene Organic Church Network
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