Inter-City coordinator

THE TASK OF THE INTER-CITY NETWORK COORDINATOR

If the country is large there may be several coordinators, each in charge of networking the cities within a certain region, such as in the four regions of India. In other places these may be coordinators for the cities of a whole country. For simplicity's sake, in the following sections they will all be referred to as Inter-City Coordinators.

The role of the Inter-City Coordinator is to seek to quietly integrate and move the energy of the Leadership of individual cities into a synergism of ideas and processes, nationally, through the forming of some patterns of group identity and ethos between key cities leaders, strategists and urban issues thinkers.

This might include the following tasks:

Establish relationships with each of the key people in the cities network across the country.

	Appoint or work with appointed city coordinators to whom their respective city eldership look.
	Pull them together in some manner across the network or country (perhaps a yearly consultation) where they develop an ethos together, through sharing of models and reflection on processes that are of mutual interest while having some input from those who have developed areas of urban theology.

	A network newsletter also needs to be developed for key people to cross-fertilize ideas. Integrating concepts from models in other parts of the world is a factor.
	From networking there is a progression to an acceptable servant role in helping each city coordinator as they:
	Perceive effective patterns, develop manageable progressions to

	network
	partner
	mobilize

envisage strategic purposes within their cities.

There is profit in integrating these plans by circulating them across the network or by a gathering of these leaders (perhaps every 6 months or a year).

In the area of research, the Inter-City Coordinator should ensure that the city researchers occasionally meet together to discuss the work they are doing, and encourage them in this work (see previous section on transforming cities).

Linkages of specialist interest groups between cities need to be fostered through coordinators for each - for example encouraging :

	the formation of a Christian Legal Society
	a businessmen's penetration strategy group in each city
	linking in groups within the medical professions
	media networks
	educational networks etc.

The coordinators role would be:

	to work with or appoint a coordinator of each specialist sector nationally
	to link these specialist network coordinators into the strategic planning "group ethos" of AD2000. To encourage existing networks
	to help them think in a more strategic manner in terms of evangelistic penetration, and
	how to deal with the ethical issues required to bring the Kingdom into the structures of the cities.

The Inter-Cities Network Coordinators should be advising the Regional Coordinators and the International Network Leader of :

	ther people that could make good Inter-City Coordinators.
	The general trends, successes and problems in the area of responsibility.

Chairman's Tasks For An Inter-City Network

	Work with the Coordinator in defining directions and strategy
	Lend authority and backup support to the coordinator
	Relate to other major leaders as a spokesman/statesman
	Chair major meetings and steering committee meetings
	Whatever else can accelerate the processes.

Qualities of inter-city
COORDINATORS AND ADVOCATES

	An Evangelistic/churchplanting focus.
	A holistic vision and theology.
	A commitment to urban ministry.
	Commitment to the urban poor as a central focus in reaching cities.
	Credibility - Recognized by national leaders and respected by the different segments of the church.
	Experience - Proven track record, experienced in that area of ministry.
	Gifting - Gift of motivation, networking, strategic planning and Leadership.
	Spiritual maturity - Above reproach.
	Prayer burden - A person skilled in ministry through prayer.
	Authority - Evidence of spiritual authority.
	Vision - Burden for the church of his/her country.
	Contextualized - Speaks from the soul of the people.
	Team player - Works well with others and is committed to partnerships.
	Organizational support - Has the support and organizational structure to develop interest group networks within the region. This would include sufficient funding for travel and secretarial and administrative backup for the networking involved. Typically this role is the enhancement of an existing network.

© Viv Grigg and the Encarnação Alliance Training Commission
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Last updated: 05/15/09.