To better understand the uniqueness of HarvestNet, both in terms of it’s mission and it’s structure, consider the following key elements of the HarvestNet “spiritual DNA,” which illustrate a number of key values of this ministry organization:
- Unity of the Body of Christ (esp. leaders) is a key and core value. This clearly has great meaning to Jesus., as is demonstrated by his final prayer on earth [ John 17: 20-26 – Jesus prayer for unified leadership has self-authenticating message to the world that attests to reality of Jesus & love of God.]
- Collaboration and cooperation are a modus operandi blessed by God. This results in synergy, win-win outcomes and consilience; and in turn this releases fresh dimensions of creativity and spiritual and natural entrepreneurship. [ Deut. 32:30; Joshua 23:10 – some things are done better together than apart; some things can only be done together.]
- A culture of honor, respect and preferring one another is one that enables an environment to humbly dwell together. This results in a release of God’s grace. [ Ps. 133; James 4:6 - God’s humility plan has distributed his gifts broadly, requiring leaders to humble themselves in order to receive from others what they lack – which results in a different magnitude of God’s grace being released.]
- Embracing normative Kingdom life and leadership involves intentionality in proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom in word, deed and power. We are seeking a biblical culture of ministry that incorporates the strengths of the historic, evangelical and charismatic zones of the Church. [ Ecc. 4:12; Luke 9:1,2 – Normative Christianity in Scripture is clearly Word-based, practical ministry & justice focused, and utterly comfortable and expectant vis-a’-vis the supernatural, present day work of the Holy Spirit.]
- We embrace a paradigm of ecclesiology that incorporates a both / and appreciation of the Church (Cap “C” in the city/region – I Cor. 1:2) and the churches (little “c” individual congregations – I Cor. 16:9). This expresses both a corporate (“the Body of Christ”) and an individualistic (“members in particular”) understanding and expression of Christ’s Church. [ I Cor. 12:12,14,27 – This is about the paradigm of something not seen in modern times, … the “Church in the city” as a functioning reality.
- An understanding and appreciation that the Ephesians 4 five-fold ministry functions (A,P,E,S,T) operate in leadership in both the vocational church-place ministry and marketplace ministry domains, working collaboratively to equip all for service. [ Eph. 4:12-16 - This incorporates the notion of how God wishes to empower ALL his people (i.e., the 97-98% in the marketplace), and not just professional clergy (i.e., the 2-3% in the church-place); it incorporates an understanding from the O.T. that both the Kingly line (secular; marketplace) and the Priestly line (religious, church-place) were called and anointed leadership – e.g. Daniel a prophet in marketplace realm; Samuel a prophet in the priestly realm.]
- We seek to redefine ministry “success metrics” in a biblically consonant fashion. An example is to value obedience to Christ which results in the fruit of real transformation – from single lives to whole spheres of influence – vs. a buildings, bodies, budget$ and bravado metric. [James 1:22; John 14:21,24; Matt.7:23 – The accoutrements of success in God’s eyes are frequently not the same as in man’s assessment. Religious activity, success trappings, or even the miraculous are not the measure of a “good and faithful servant” – but simple obedience to God’s Word is a sound measure.]