The Network (group of churches)

Last updated
The Network
Classification Pentecostal
RegionUnited States
FounderSteve Morgan
Origin2006
United States

The Network is an international group of churches known for planting new churches by recruiting college men, training and developing them into leaders within the group. [1]

Contents

History

The Network was started by Steve Morgan in 1995 when he established Vineyard Community Church in Carbondale, Illinois. [2] Morgan and 50 members of his Carbondale congregation moved to Seattle in 2004 to found Blue Sky Church. [3]

In 2006, Steve Morgan removed Blue Sky Church from the Vineyard Association alongside several midwest Vineyard churches to officially birth the Network as an international group of churches focused on planting new churches, and the Carbondale Vineyard was renamed to Vine Church. [4] [5]

Network Churches within the United States

Year FoundedChurchCityState
1995Vine Church Carbondale Illinois
2002Foundation Church Bloomington-Normal Illinois
2004Blue Sky Church Bellevue Washington
2006Clear River Church Lafayette Indiana
2008High Rock Church Bloomington Indiana
2011Brookfield Church Athens Ohio
2012Hills Church Pullman Washington
2013Rock Hills Church Bowling Green Kentucky
Cedar Heights Church State College Pennsylvania
2015Oaks Church Muncie Indiana
Summit Creek Church Eugene Oregon
Valley Springs Church Corvallis Oregon
2016Vista Church San Luis Obispo California
Vida Springs Church Gainesville Florida
North Pines Church Kalamazoo Michigan
2017Christland Church College Station Texas
Joshua Church Austin Texas
2018Rock River Church San Marcos Texas
Bright Field Church Dekalb Illinois
2019South Grove Church Athens Georgia
Hosea Church Raleigh North Carolina
Mountain Heights Church Morgantown West Virginia
2020Ascent Church Blacksburg Virginia
2021Isaiah Church Madison Wisconsin

Network Churches outside the United States

ChurchChurchYear FoundedCountry
2018Roots Church Taipei Taiwan
2022Stoneway Church Reading, Berkshire United Kingdom

Controversy

Criticisms against the Network include their college recruitment practices, teachings on the role of women, dismissal of claims of abuse, and the authoritarian leadership style as reported by former members. [1] [4] [6]

Also, the qualifications of Steve Morgan, the Network founder, as a pastor have been questioned because of his arrest in 1987 for an alleged sexual crime. [7] The Former Vineyard officials who knew Steve Morgan during his ordination into the Vineyard association have issued statements denying knowledge of his arrest. [8] [9]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Nicholas Gutteridge, "Christland Church: Former members describe alleged abuse, manipulation, control". thebatt.com. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  2. Darlene (Dee) Parsons, "Former Members of The Network Call for a Third Party, Independent Investigation of Steve Morgan and Church Leaders". thewartburgwatch.com. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  3. Les O'dell, "Local members of The Vine leave to start new churches". specials.idsnews.com. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  4. 1 2 Marissa Meador, "'The church's answer was hurting them' Former members of Bloomington's High Rock Church allege spiritual abuse". specials.idsnews.com. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  5. Warren Cole Smith, "Watchdog Group Calls For Independent Investigation of Pastor Steve Morgan and "The Network"". ministrywatch.com. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  6. "Misogynistic Content In Valley Springs Church'S Instagram Post". leavingthenetwork.org. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  7. Josh Shepherd, "Whistleblowers Say Leader of 'Network' of Churches Hid Sexual Crime for 36 Years". julieroys.com. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  8. "Statements From Former Vineyard Officials". leavingthenetwork.org. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  9. "Network Leadership Team And Lead Pastors Respond To Allegations". leavingthenetwork.org. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.