Some people have asked us about how they can become a part of the network so we wanted to put something together to respond.
The Underground Network is a relational network and at its very core is about friendship. There is no formal application process it is simply about connecting people doing ministry around the world who share similar values. Having said that, if you are interested in pursuing being a part of the network, we have put together some steps for you to further your relationship with us and become a part of the network.
1. Read through the five core network values to learn more about who we are. If your heart is moved to grow a church or ministry that reflects those values than we want to know you.
2. Connect. Reach out and start a dialogue with us or meet in person with one of our network partners. We believe lasting ministry is not built on goals but on relationships so we want to know you.
3. Come to an Underground event. Attend our annual Underground Conference or quarterly conversation and spend time meeting others in the network. Invite Brian or Mike to speak at one of your events or come to Tampa to spend time with us.
4. Make a decision about your involvement in the network. Spend some time discerning whether you want to join us in the network.
5. Make a formal request to Brian either personally or through a letter requesting your desire to be a part of the network.
This list encapsulates the core guiding values of the churches that are partners in the Underground Network.
Jesus: The way of Jesus is our way. Before and in all things we value Jesus as the image of the invisible God. We long to worship Jesus by imitating his life and ministry. Both our theology and praxis is relentlessly Christological. He is our model, mentor, hero, mediator, savior, judge, king and ruler of all. All of our values flow from what we understand about his character, concerns, and the practices of his ministry. (Matt 28:19, John 1:3, John 13:15, John 14:6, John 17:18, Rom 5:10, Eph 1:22-23, Phil 2:5, Col 1:15-20, Col 2:9, Col 3:17, Heb 1:3, Heb 12:2, model [Eph 5:1-2], mentor [John 13:14-15, Acts 26:16], hero [Rom 1:4], mediator [1Tim 2:5, Heb 7:25], savior [Acts 4:12, Titus 3:6], judge (Rom 2:16, John 9:39, 2 Tim 4:1), king (Rev 1:5, Rev 19:16) and ruler of all (Col 1:18, Rev 17:14).
The Poor: We remember the poor because we believe that God does. We believe that they are central to his mission in the world. It is our conviction that God is always on the side of those who have no one on their side. For that reason we believe the church should also stand on the side of the poor, and in so doing stand in solidarity with the heart and work of God. Jesus’ own ministry is our model. We welcome all people but prioritize the poor in our ministry concern, allocation of resources and advocacy. We do this, not because the rich and middle class are less important to God, but because they already have access to resources and are able to advocate their own cause. It is our belief that the church should therefore prioritize and remember those who have less, and access to less, so that in all things there might be equality. (Deut 15:7, Deut 15:11, Psalm 82:3, Psalm 140:12, Prov 14:31, Isa 61:1, Jer 8:21, Jer 22:16, Matt 11:5, Matt 25:40, Mark 2:17, Luke 4:18, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:22, Luke 14:23, Luke 18:22, 2 Cor 8:9, 13, Gal 2:10).
The Lost: We value lost people because they are spiritually poor. We believe the good news of the kingdom is the most important commodity with which the church and the people of God have been entrusted. We value engaging the lost. We believe that the church should not expect lost people to come and find them, but that we are called and sent to “seek and save that which was lost”. Again, we emphasize the life and ministry of Jesus by prioritizing those who have not yet heard and believed the good news. This is our first and most important task, even in our ministry to the poor and the lost (who could be considered the spiritually poor). They are our first concern. (Gen 22:17-18, Matt 4:23, Matt 10:7, Matt 18:14, Matt 28:19, Mark 13:10, Luke 15:4, 6, Luke 19:10, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 1:8, Acts 10:42, Rom 10:14-15 and 15:20, Gal 2:10).
Sharing and Giving: Because we value community and simplicity, we value sharing and giving. We value sharing because it promotes relationship and breaks the bondage of possessiveness. We believe the western doctrine of personal property is imperfect and needs to be tempered with the more biblical value of generosity and sacrifice. In sharing what we have with others we confess that God is the true owner and that we are only stewards in his vineyard. In giving we destroy the grip of materialism over our hearts because we release the resource, wealth, or possession completely into the control of another. For that reason we value relentless generosity and the holding of all things in common. For this reason we encourage our people to give as often and as generously as they can, and to consider themselves stewards of the rest. Likewise, the collective finances of the church and ministries should set an example in this regard. (Mal 3:10, Matt 25:40, Luke 3:11, Acts 2:43, Acts 4:32, Acts 20:35, 2 Cor 8:7, 2 Cor 9:10-13, 2 Cor 8:13, Eph 4:28, 1 Thess 2:8, 1 Tim 6:18, 1 John 3:17).
Biblical Justice: We value the biblical concept of justice. The church has to take a prophetic stand against all kinds of evil, not only spiritual, but also societal. All sin and injustice is the enemy of the church and the kingdom of God. The search for the kingdom of God is also a search for justice. They are the same longing. In the kingdom we find ultimate justice, and biblical justice is more than just punishment for wrongdoing and oppression, it is also the restoration of wholeness, equality, and peace between people and with God. Our value of justice is a call to seek the welfare of every person in our city and in the world that we can influence. It is to hope and work for the kingdom of God to come to bare on the place where we are. For that reason, our value of justice will mean action in the places where we have power, as well as the pursuit of justice in the proclamation of the kingdom wherever we have voice. (Psalm 9:8, Psalm 96:10, Prov 31:9, Isaiah 1:15-17, Isaiah 56:1, Jer 29:7, Ez 34:16, Hosea 12:6, Amos 5:15 and 24, Micah 6:8, Matt 5:6, 6:10, Matt 6:33, Matt 12:18, Matt 18:5, Matt 25:40, Luke 11:42, Luke 18:7-8, Luke 19:8-10, John 2:14-17, Acts 6:1-6, Eph 6:12, James 1:27, 1 John 3:17,18).
