2026 Church Life, Leadership, and Planting (Advanced) Network
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The Church Life, Leadership, and Planting (Advanced) Network is designed to equip leaders with the theological foundations, practical strategies, and spiritual resilience needed to navigate the complexities of pioneering ministry in the 21st century.
Sayings of Paul: Developing A Biblical Mindset In Senior Christian Leadership
We can learn much from the lives of others. In this Network for 2026, we look at the apostle Paul. What mattered to him? Why did it matter? He wrote many letters filled with doctrine, instruction, urging, warning, and encouragement to churches and individuals. What made him focus on the things he did, often repeating the same themes? What can we learn from his example?
We cannot cover everything Paul considered important. We can, however, focus on some key points from Paul’s teaching. In this Network, we will explore six sayings of Paul in the context of his theology of servant-hearted leadership, which highlight important themes, whether reflections on ministry or directions for ministry. We might, like Paul, also find them to be precious values to live by and pass on to others.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- “I really enjoyed the leaders who spoke in the Network. They listened and were able to communicate and share their knowledge with us. They took time to stop and ask questions as well as let us stop to ask them questions.” - 2024 Network Participant
- "I'm thankful to you for the opportunity to attend ELF and meet many experienced people who are able to share their knowledge and heart. ELF is a tremendous opportunity to get to know people who have the same vision, to learn from them, and to develop the ministry. Inspired plenary sessions, great fellowship, training at the Network, and deep and profound sessions at the workshops are great blessings for me. It will enormously help me in my ministry, helping me to be more effective in leading the people and spreading His Kingdom." - Mykola Sychev, Pastor and Executive Secretary of AMCU, Ukraine
- "I came into the Forum with hurt and was a little disillusioned about continuing in ministry. Through the encouragement of new friends, the prayers of fellow ministers, and new connections through networking, the Lord has answered my questions. I am now returning home with a fresh vision and energy to continue on in the calling God has placed on my heart." - Noah Johnson, Church Planter, Slovakia
Applicants should be involved in senior leadership within a local church or those leading or seeking to build a network of churches. This Network explores values, principles, and practices found in the New Testament for local church life, leadership, and planting. Applicants should be leaders who have previously participated in the Church Life, Leadership, and Planting Network.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Mike Betts is one of the leaders of Relational Mission, a family of churches itself part of the wider Newfrontiers group. Mike is the author of 'From the Inside Out, Relational Mission: A Way of Life', 'The Prayers of Many',… Read more
Maurice Nightingale is a member of the Relational Mission core team with responsibilities that include the supervision of early-stage church planting on the mainland of Europe, in particular training and coaching pioneer leaders and developing strategies for both initiating and supporting church… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
(2 Corinthians 12 NIV)
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul describes the power and effectiveness of servant-leadership in terms of a ‘theology of the cross,’ rather than a ‘theology of glory’ as practised by the so-called ‘super-apostles’ in Corinth. He is concerned that they are attempting to subvert a Christ-like culture of leadership. Paul argues that conformity to worldly standards of leadership undermines the Gospel because it undermines the servant nature of Christ and the power of His cross. This discussion remains extraordinarily relevant to the expression of servant-leadership in today’s culture.
What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? (1 Corinthians 4:21, NIV)
Spiritual authority is a vital subject for all in leadership. What is it? How do we exercise it? How can we avoid pitfalls and abuses? How does spiritual authority operate when it is healthy and unhealthy? Getting this subject right, both in our attitude and actions, will have a major effect on the fruitfulness and effectiveness of our ministry.
Monday, 18 May
But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-11, NIV)
Why does Paul not feel disqualified by felt weakness? It seems that over time, he has even come to see it as an asset! How can this be? What does he mean by weakness? In a world that seems to prize personal strength and capability, Paul’s statements on ‘weakness’ require further thought.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. (Romans 16:1,NIV)
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. (Philippians 2:20-22, NIV)
Good leaders have two eyes! One eye is focused on fulfilling the call and entrustment of God in their own life, asking ourselves, ‘How do I live in a way that enables me to stay focused all my life on what I am here on earth to do?’ The second eye is focused on how to bring about the effective development of others who can be raised up to carry and prize the same biblical values as themselves. Raising up spiritual sons and daughters is a key part of ministry. How do we affect multiplication and influence in other leaders, especially those of the next generation?
Tuesday, 19 May
I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. (Romans 15:24, NIV)
Mission without relationship often leads to task-driven, lonely people. Relationship without mission often leads to ‘holy huddles’ of inward-looking Christians and churches. Put relationship together with mission and we are well-placed to see great and sustainable fruitfulness! Paul prized and longed for both. How do we copy his example?
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. (2 Timothy 4:16, NIV)
Leadership can be exceptionally lonely at times and can feel deeply brutal, especially if we find ourselves feeling ill-treated by someone else or even a team or congregation. Paul was no exception to this deep pain. How do we navigate the fact that, at times, people will hurt us to the core? How do we become resilient, learn from it, grow from it, and even see redemption and fruitfulness flowing from it?
Wednesday, 20 May
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. (Romans 16:13, NIV)
Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. (1 Corinthians 4:15, NIV)
In this little verse in Romans, we get an insight into how much Paul prized this dear spiritual mother in the faith. We all get shaped by other people. The Bible speaks a lot about spiritual fathers and mothers. Where do we find them? How might we become one? Who has helped shape you as a spiritual father or mother, and how do you reflect them now?
(2 Corinthians 12, NIV)
Taking all these things together, how much we need servant-hearted leadership in the church in Europe today. How many more high-profile celebrity leaders will fall before we learn these lessons? How many more churches will be trapped in passive inactivity because of either an over-reliance on the ‘man of power’, or a diluting and diminishing of ministry through over-democratic operation? The church and the mission of God need men and women of strong leadership, authority, influence, and ministry, but with the heart and life of a humble servant.