About Thriving

We sensed a unified excitement at our Thriving: Consultation in June 2018 when about 100 pastors and church leaders gathered in Newburyport for a one-day consultation based on the Cecil B. Day Foundation's report on thriving New England churches. It was here that many of us were reminded once again of our collective calling to reach our New England neighbors.

How might God be pleased to move many other congregations to become effective in evangelism and discipleship? That was the central question from that day. Thriving in New England began as a one-day event, but it has developed into so much more.

This website is an outcome of that Consultation in 2018; it's a way to provide connections and resources for those desiring to see the Spirit bring churches to new levels of effectiveness in the communities where God has placed them.

The guiding principle behind this movement is that all followers of Christ are called to minister to those around them, and this is done by being His ambassadors in the world - whether that is in the workplace, with family and friends, in neighborhoods, and so on.

So welcome aboard if you are a New England congregation ready to risk the changes necessary for improving connections with the world outside church walls.

CLICK HERE to receive info about upcoming Consultations.

About E-Net

Evangelical believers working together to advance Christ's kingdom throughout New England. That's the purpose, the vision, and the goal of the Evangelical Network in New England (E-Net). Helping congregations serve and influence communities around them is front and center in E-Net's emphasis. Excellent examples of churches that have achieved considerable success in that regard were the subject of a study report published by the Cecil B. Day Foundation in March 2018. It was titled: Thriving in New England.

E-Net quickly responded and, along with the Day Foundation, co-sponsored the first Thriving in New England Consultation. Many of those attending the consulation on June 20th in Newburyport were members of the Pastors Roundtables led by E-Net. Others represented E-Net's loose network of contacts developed over years of service in New England.

The notable thing about that Consultation was the clear desire of most of the pastors and church leaders to have congregations find ways to share the grace and good news of Christ with people who don't yet understand. So the key question at the end of the event was: what's next?

Background

For more than 20 years E-Net has been connecting leaders and developing understanding of how to lead evangelistically here in New England. It is E-Net's desire to encourage greater effectiveness among Christian leaders here in New England by building relationships and understanding. Peer learning, purposeful dialogue and providing resources are just a few of the ways E-Net has been able to see the ongoing mission accomplished.

E-Net is a faith based ministry and operates with your support. If you would like to hear more about our work with church leadership in New England, please contact us. We'd love to talk with you about what God is doing here in New England!