Dear friends,Something is shifting in the Church.
Ministers and ministry leaders everywhere are longing for something more, something different. What if we could gather in circles instead of climbing ladders? What if we could choose collaboration over competition? What if we could share power instead of hoarding it? What if ministers longing for a more just, loving, and inclusive Church could gather and build new tables where everyone has a place to belong? These are just some of the questions we’ve been pondering over the past year and a half, and after hundreds of hours of learning and conversation, we’re thrilled to announce that Wild Fig Network 1.0 is soft launching on September 16th! What is the Wild Fig Network?We're an emerging post-denominational Christian network—a movement of ministers and ministries reimagining how we can connect and support one another in a fast-changing world. Not through bigger institutions, but through deeper relationships and flexible structures that put people (not platforms) first. Our goal is to create light structures with deep roots: organizing around loving relationships and trust, providing mutual credentialing and accountability, and sharing practical support and resources. Our Purpose is Radically SimpleTo root Christian ministers and ministries in a diverse network of mutual relationships so that the way of Jesus can flourish in the world. Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another, and we believe the way to a better future for the Church (and the world) just might actually be that simple. Mutual, trust-based relationships are the connective tissue that makes everything else possible. They’re the key to genuine cooperation, collaboration, collective resilience, and more. Individualistic, competitive, and hierarchical organizations cannot offer the world any alternative vision for the way things can be. So we intend to cultivate something fundamentally different: an organic, living system designed for authentic relationships that have the power to heal and transform. Who Is This For?If you're a pastor tired of institutional maintenance and bureaucracy… If you're an independent minister looking for community and accountability… If your church is practicing radical inclusion and needs belonging and support… If you’re a faith-based nonprofit leader or organization seeking like-minded partners… If you’re a spiritual innovator and your call to ministry does not fit into current institutional structures… If you've been pushed out of traditional spaces for who you are, who you love, or how you lead… If your inherited theological tradition can no longer contain where your spiritual journey is taking you…
…then Wild Fig Network might be the place for you! Why a Soft Launch?Like the soft launch of a restaurant, we don’t have our full menu available yet, and we can only accommodate a limited number of people. We’re testing out our kitchen and trying out a few dishes to gather feedback for learning. For Wild Fig, our soft launch means we’re gathering a founding community of early adopters to be a part of discovering and nurturing what this network needs to become. We’re not looking for customers, we’re looking for co-creators. We’re trusting that what needs to emerge will emerge, and that it will come from the collective wisdom generated from our shared work and life together. We want to grow at the speed of trust, which means growing slowly and relationally. During our Wild Fig Network 1.0 Phase, we're starting with: One founding chapter (a maximum of 15 cohorts) Prototype cohort gatherings to learn what works A provisional transfer of credentials for ministers with an existing or previous credential Just enough structure to begin, with room to grow and adapt
Join Us For Our Soft Launch Gathering!
Tuesday, September 16th, on Zoom
5pm PT | 7pm CT | 8pm ETDuring this gathering, you will: Learn more about our vision and plans, including updates about cohorts, credentialing, and affiliating with Wild Fig as a church or organization Meet members of our Design Community and others drawn to this vision Have the opportunity to ask questions Be given early access to our new Wild Fig 1.0 Inquiry Form to express your interest in joining the network!
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