National Alliances and GACX: 10 affirmations

Ten summary affirmations clarify the relationship between the global alliance for church multiplication (GACX) and national alliances for church multiplication:

Pursue a Shared Vision

GACX, a global alliance for church multiplication, inspires and facilitates collaboration among churches and missions organizations so that there will be a healthy, multiplying, and sustainable church for every 1,000 people on earth. These churches will be located in every relational network - every village, neighborhood, high-rise or digital space. The unique niche of GACX is our emphasis on inspiring and facilitating organizational collaboration for church multiplication among all peoples who do not follow Christ. GACX does this by providing a network, a collaborative platform, where member organizations can connect with each other, with national alliances for church multiplication, and with the tools, research, and resources they need to accelerate church multiplication in every relational network of the world.

Support Existing Alliances

When a national alliance for church multiplication already exists, the posture of GACX is to celebrate and support that alliance and to connect that alliance with GACX member organizations and with other national alliances for church multiplication around the world.

Catalyze New Alliances

When a national alliance for church multiplication does not exist, GACX will work with national leaders, networks, and GACX member organizations to catalyze the development of a national alliance for church multiplication in that country that is nationally led, nationally funded, and identified with a name reflecting the unique national character of that alliance.

Empower National Alliances

GACX embraces the principle of local empowerment and partnership at the national level. GACX encourages the formation of national alliances for church multiplication that are nationally led, nationally funded, and identified with a name reflecting the unique national character of that alliance. As a collaborative platform, GACX does not supervise, direct or fund national alliances. GACX provides a global network where empowered national alliances can connect with each other, with GACX member organizations, and with the tools, research, and resources they need to accelerate church multiplication.

Invite National Alliances

GACX invites national alliances for church multiplication to connect with the global alliance for church multiplication (GACX) as Affiliate Members. National alliance Affiliate Members contribute to the vision and mission of the global alliance (GACX) by sharing their experience and resources with other national alliances around the world but are not required to contribute financially to GACX. Characteristics of national alliance Affiliate Members include:

  • Contextual application of the GACX framework, including reporting church planting results. 

  • Connected to the research, tools, training, and resources offered by member organizations of GACX.

  • Official Affiliate Members that wish to express their affiliation with the global alliance for church multiplication (GACX) may use the tagline, “a member of the global alliance for church multiplication.”

Connect National Alliances

Regional catalytic coaches are individuals who have a vision for church multiplication through collaboration and are willing to support, resource and connect national alliances for church multiplication in a geographic region. Regional catalytic coaches do not report to GACX but do connect with GACX through an informal network of catalytic coaches. These catalytic coaches are often from the region which they support and may be associated with other global networks for church multiplication (e.g. Lausanne calls these individuals Roundtable facilitators). Regional catalytic coaches may support, resource and connect national alliances for church multiplication in a number of ways including:

  • connect national alliances with each other, with GACX member organizations, and with other global church planting networks.

  • connect national alliances to resources offered by GACX accelerators including training and tools for DMM, CPM, and theological training. 

  • provide national alliances a toolbox of tested practices and principles including: the Biblical and missiological basis for a collaborative attitude; case studies and best practices for establishing and developing a national alliance; training in holding a conference/alliance meetings; and training in utilizing research and tracking tools to identify where churches exist and where new churches need to be established.

Provide Seed Funding When Needed

When requested, GACX may work with national leaders, networks and GACX member organizations to provide funding to catalyze an initial, exploratory national alliance gathering. GACX does not fund national alliance gatherings on an ongoing basis.

Practice a Posture of Humility

The posture of GACX is to cultivate an alliance where brothers and sisters in Christ from around the world can share ideas and learn from one another with a posture of humility, curiosity, and grace. We encourage members to ask probing questions and listen well. We do not expect that all members will share the same perspective, use the same methods, or draw the same conclusions. We hope that all members will contribute to constructive dialogue on complex issues. Our alliance includes organizations utilizing legacy and movement church planting models. We don’t prescribe, promote or elevate only one type of methodology, tool or perspective. We promote unity but not uniformity. We elevate the exclusivity and supremacy of Christ, the power and authority of Scripture, and the beauty of Christ’s church unified around our common mission and our shared love for God.

Foster Collaboration Among Networks

GACX works collaboratively with other global networks for church multiplication. GACX intentionally fosters communication, collaboration, and the cross-pollination of ideas with global networks such as the Global Church Planting Network (GCPN), Lausanne, Vision 5:9, Coalition of the Willing (COTW), 24:14 and many others. Each global network has their unique focus and strengths and GACX encourages national alliances to connect with these networks as needed.

Encourage Inter-Organizational Partnership

GACX affirms the efforts of GACX member organizations to encourage inter-organizational and inter-denominational partnership for church planting at the national level.

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