Cultivating networks of impact

Adjusting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the isolation and limits of online interaction, has reshaped society in ways that will be endlessly analyzed and studied. I witnessed my pastor friends burning out as their churches became triage centers for those experiencing mental health issues, police brutality and racial violence.

As people disengaged from congregational life, I wondered why some churches were resilient and stable while others struggled. I realized that most ministries struggle in an ever-changing world and society unless they have cultivated resilient networks of impact.

Having supportive friends and being grounded in local community can help congregation members and pastors feel less isolated. But cultivating networks of impact is different because such networks reach across multiple spheres for a common purpose.

Author David Ehrlichman identifies many kinds of networks in “Impact Networks: Create Connection, Spark Collaboration, and Catalyze Systemic Change.” According to Ehrlichman, an impact network offers a core where knowledge and power are exchanged in a fluid and decentralized manner. The periphery outside the core is made up of people and organizations new to the network. There they are welcomed to receive and share.

On the surface the network may seem chaotic, but the core focuses on facilitating and convening the network, implementing guiding principles and making sure that communication flows freely. In this way, information moves dynamically, creating a hotbed of resources and knowledge by way of multiple people working on the same goals.

Cultivating a network of impact is not easy, and it can take time to build. Impact networks also prioritize building critical connection over critical mass, as demonstrated by legendary community organizer Grace Lee Boggs. She emphasized that building trust was more impactful and sustainable in the long run than building large numbers. Making and keeping critical connections takes time and intentional effort.

An example of a successful impact network on the South Side of Chicago is Canaan Community Church, a historic congregation in the Englewood neighborhood. When the Rev. Jonathan Brooks was serving as senior pastor, he realized that there was already a strong presence of movements and nonprofits dedicated to the flourishing of Englewood’s residents. Determined to contribute to the network as a place-based ministry, Brooks led the congregation to champion small business developments such as grocery stores and restaurants to address limited access to fresh food.

The congregation encouraged the creation of third spaces for people to build relationships and community. By taking part in neighborhood campaigns, church members helped shift the focus from Englewood’s violence to its strengths, including the “good in Englewood.” The congregation also developed a theological lens to see how God viewed residents as wonderfully created.

Over time, the congregation saw itself as an interdependent component of an impact network in their neighborhood, and the network valued the church as a crucial part of the flourishing of Englewood.

In the greater Pasadena area, the Clergy Community Coalition is another successful example of an impact network. The CCC connects local community organizations, municipalities and more than 80 churches across denominational lines. The network facilitates regular conversations across the network, building connections for the greater good of the city. As the core of this impact network, the CCC has encouraged relationships, partnerships and collaborations between churches.

When the Eaton Fire ravaged the area in January 2025, the CCC responded quickly by communicating to community members the specific resources that different local churches could offer. It also organized a worship night for the community to pray, grieve and heal together. It became a trusted entity for churches looking to connect and work for the greater good of the city.

The slow and steady work of network cultivation is a crucial part of ministry, leadership development and vocational training. It is also vital to sustaining these efforts while providing stability. Ultimately impact networks, by sharing their collective knowledge and power, contribute to the flourishing of God’s people in times of celebration and in times of crisis.