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Networks

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What are learning networks and why do they matter?

Learning networks are groups of practitioners who meet regularly with the intention of learning together.

The fresh expressions movement is emerging, evolving and organic, and every day new lessons are being learnt. Fresh expressions practitioners can be seen as pioneers, blazing the way into unknown territory. Who knows what fresh expressions will look like in five, ten, twenty years' time?

It would be a great loss if during this time of exploring and experimentation, knowledge isn't captured along the way, not only for pioneers to learn from each other, but also for posterity and for use by future pioneers.

Learning networks can happen online:

  • on the Share Community (a networking part of Share which is soon to be launched)
  • in an email discussion group
  • on a bulletin board

and in some cases this is the only way they can happen. Maybe the members live in different parts of the country, or in different countries. But the preference is for regular face-to-face meetings, with online contact in between the meetings.

If you haven't intentionally set out to be a learning network, it is likely that you aren't

You might already meet regularly with other practitioners, but is your meeting necessarily a learning network? Maybe it is a support group or a series of planning meetings. These are important, and some learning might happen at your meetings, but if you haven't intentionally set out to be a learning network, it is likely that you aren't.

Share offers four Fs as a suggested guideline to make learning networks effective: Focus, Format, Facilitator and Fruit. Read about them here.

Your learning network might need occasional outside input to stretch and stimulate those in the group - maybe a visitor to the group, an issue for discussion sent to the group by email, or members of the group researching a particular topic or reading an agreed book, article or Bible passage beforehand.

The main thing to remember is: what is the reason for learning networks? The simple answer is: to share! This can happen in two ways: sharing with each other in your group, then sharing what you have learnt with the wider church by posting your findings on Share.

 

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Comments

Count me in

Posted by Craig Andrew Gilman on 05 October 07 - 09:32

I'm very interested in helping with a learning network. I'm involved in a couple of projects: B1 Church in Birmingham and another thing - The Ulfilas Project which I'm in the process of preparing to launch!

Posted by Pam Smith on 05 October 07 - 20:16

I've just started setting up a network for people doing ministry on the Internet, which I hope will be a learning network.

Initially I'm using a Facebook group so people can register an interest.

It's named St Saddos because a panelist on a recent edition of the Heaven and Earth show applied the label 'internet saddos' to those who use online churches!

Posted by Craig Andrew Gilman on 10 October 07 - 11:18

I'm on the leadership team of the Anglican church in Second Life. www.secondlife.com you can't get much more of a "saddo" than that!

http://slangcath.wordpress.com/

learning networks

Posted by David Keen on 08 October 07 - 12:36

I'd be very interested in a learning network around church planting/mission in new housing areas. We're just starting to work on this in Yeovil, but nobody really knows what they're doing!! Anywhere to share/gather experience would be great.

Posted by Jon Clarke on 24 July 10 - 08:41

I would be interested in an online network learning group around the idea of establing fresh expressions on new housing estates. I come from a new housing estate in Ashford Kent.

Learning Networks

Posted by Alison Noakes on 10 October 07 - 15:17

I'd be very interested in being involved in this. I work as a Fresh Expressions Enabler in a Circuit in Birmingham and am currently trying to network local Chrcuhes Together groups for this purpose - this could really help :-)

Thank you

Posted by Andrew Wooding on 15 October 07 - 14:35

Thanks for all the comments so far on this Networks page.

I see that both Craig Andrew Gilman and Alison Noakes are based in Birmingham; I have made a note that David Keen would value a learning network around church planting/new housing areas; and I have joined Pam Smith's St Saddo's group over on Facebook!

Would anyone else like to join David Keen in a (possibly online) learning network on church planting in new housing areas? I would be happy to set this up.

And is there anyone else in or near the Birmingham area that could join Craig Andrew Kilman and/or Alison Noakes?

As you can see, this page will be a case of trying to connect people together so that we can help each other.

Many thanks,

Andrew

Multiple Fresh Expressions

Posted by Nikki Foster-Kruczek on 01 November 07 - 11:52

I'm in Derby and I would be extremely interested in joining a network of people who are involved with more than one fresh expression. I'm already part of the Odyssey Mission Community, Church for older people in a council day centre and am currently working with a collegue on a fresh expression aimed at Asian Christians.

Network for Urban FE?

Posted by Frances Shoesmith on 16 January 08 - 12:58

I'm a Pioneer Minister leading a Fresh Expression in Bootle, Merseyside - a truly deprived urban context - which has been going for 18 months - with many ups and downs along the way. I'd LOVE to network with others who are doing Anglican-flavoured deprived urban-based FE - anyone out there?

Learning Networks

Posted by Sue Eizzard on 27 January 08 - 16:42

I'd like to get involved in a network for cafe churches - I help lead Expresso 6:15 in Lincoln, and would love to swap ideas for creative worship. I'd especially like ideas for prayer; for video clips which have a message behind them, and any current secular music which can be used for worship.

Learning Network for London & SE

Posted by Ian Mobsby on 01 April 08 - 11:25

We have started a new learning network for practitioners of emerging & fresh expressions of church for the Diocese of London, Southwark & Rochester and the London Methodist Circuit. We are planning to meet 3 times a year, and have our next meeting in May. If you are interested in joining this, check out http://london-monkey-sphere.wetpaint.com/ you can add yourself to the list.

Posted by Ali Campbell on 19 February 09 - 17:19

I'd be interested in coming along, although I am in Chichester Diocese (is that allowed?!)

Canadian exploration

Posted by Duke Vipperman on 03 April 08 - 14:27

As chair of the Diocese of Toronto's (Ontario, Canada) I am looking to be over in the UK for three weeks starting about June 9, '08: with one purpose: to see some Fresh Expressions first hand (and a few church plants). Please help us (me) make some FE connections so this can be a transforming time well spent. We have found at least three Canadian FEs but wish to advance this sort of thing, but thoroughly Canadianized, eh!

Write soon.

The Rev. Dr. Duke Vipperman
www.theRez.on.ca

learning networks

Posted by Sarah Thomas on 13 May 08 - 13:59

Hello... I've been a pioneer wanderer for just over a year now. It's been a joy. It is very out of the box stuff. Should love to share in anyway that helps.
Sarah

Children/families & youth. Ordained Pioneers

Posted by Jo Ognjanovic on 24 June 08 - 16:44

I would be interested in sharing thoughts and ideas with others who are already involved in, or planning, fresh expressions of church for primary school aged children and their families/carers in rural/semi-rural areas. Particularly those working in collaberation with several parishes and across parish boundaries.
I would love to talk to anyone who is a Ordained Pioneer Minister, or testing a call to this, who is working with a focus on children, families and youth.
I live in Southam, Warwickshire. Thanks.

Posted by David Muir on 25 February 09 - 13:18

joog: we are trying to get something going here in rural Devon, with an after-schools club followed by time with parents joining in, with a monthly meal together. We are calling it The Big Story, aiming to help kids and their parents understand the big story of the Christian faith as well as know all the little stories it is made up of. Our initiative is Anglican and Methodist. We want to launch in a small school setting and then replicate to other village schools in the area over time. I am an ordained pioneer minister working for the Anglican deanery and helping this to get started.

Seeking a network in London & SE?

Posted by Ian Mobsby on 17 July 09 - 01:15

Two years ago, we started a learning network for people in the CofE, Methodists and others in the Diocese of London, Southwark, Rochester, Chelmsford London Methodist Circuit, and some free churches.

If you are interested in joining in, see
http://sefelounge.ning.com/

Is there a Rural FE netowrk South England

Posted by Klynn Alibocus on 28 January 10 - 10:30

Does anyone know if there is a rural FE network in the South of England

We have been running an FE for 3 years and in order to stay Fresh I'm keen to listen and share ideas

KR
Klynn

p.s. Does anyone know if this site has a file share facility?

Posted by David Muir on 28 January 10 - 13:54

There is Rural Expressions, but it might be a bit far West for you?

http://www.ruralexpression.org.uk

Rural Fresh Expressions Network

Posted by Sally Gaze on 07 June 10 - 11:50

I'm the facilitator of the Rural Churchplanters' Forum which meets 3-4 times a year. We're planning a conference for those involved in rural churchplanting/ fresh expressions of church in May 2011. Our website should be up and running soon. Meanwhile, please get in touch if you'd like more details either of the conference or the forum. My contact details are sally.gaze@norwich.anglican.org
Sally Gaze

youthworker learning network

Posted by andy wilson on 21 June 10 - 11:39

i am noticing that there ain't a learning network for youthworkers and those exploring fresh expressions for young people, does one exist anywhere, or would anyone like to join me in seeting one up?

Posted by Beth Keith on 25 June 10 - 14:49

Hi Andy,
I don't know of a network around fresh expressions and young people.
I am involved in ReSource which runs weekends at for people creating church in the emerging culture. So it tends to be a gathering point for people doinf fresh expressions with young people or young adults.

In the autumn theres one weekend running in Reading on young people and emerging church and in 2011 a weekend in Manchester thats looking at transforming the community and is hosted by an eden project. More info at www.resourcemission.com.

Let me know if you start up a network as I know other people who would be interested.

Beth