The Network (group of churches)
| The Network | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Pentecostal |
| Region | United States |
| Founder | Steve Morgan |
| Origin | 2006 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]
History[edit]
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[edit]
| Year Founded | Church | City | State |
| 1995 | Vine Church | Carbondale | Illinois |
| 2002 | Foundation Church | Bloomington-Normal | Illinois |
| 2004 | Blue Sky Church | Bellevue | Washington |
| 2006 | Clear River Church | Lafayette | Indiana |
| 2008 | High Rock Church | Bloomington | Indiana |
| 2011 | Brookfield Church | Athens | Ohio |
| 2012 | Hills Church | Pullman | Washington |
| 2013 | Rock Hills Church | Bowling Green | Kentucky |
| Cedar Heights Church | State College | Pennsylvania | |
| 2015 | Oaks Church | Muncie | Indiana |
| Summit Creek Church | Eugene | Oregon | |
| Valley Springs Church | Corvallis | Oregon | |
| 2016 | Vista Church | San Luis Obispo | California |
| Vida Springs Church | Gainesville | Florida | |
| North Pines Church | Kalamazoo | Michigan | |
| 2017 | Christland Church | College Station | Texas |
| Joshua Church | Austin | Texas | |
| 2018 | Rock River Church | San Marcos | Texas |
| Bright Field Church | Dekalb | Illinois | |
| 2019 | South Grove Church | Athens | Georgia |
| Hosea Church | Raleigh | North Carolina | |
| Mountain Heights Church | Morgantown | West Virginia | |
| 2020 | Ascent Church | Blacksburg | Virginia |
| 2021 | Isaiah Church | Madison | Wisconsin |
Network Churches outside the United States[edit]
| Church | Church | Year Founded | Country |
| 2018 | Roots Church | Taipei | Taiwan |
| 2022 | Stoneway Church | Reading, Berkshire | United Kingdom |
Controversy[edit]
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[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Nicholas Gutteridge,"Christland Church: Former members describe alleged abuse, manipulation, control". thebatt.com. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Les O'dell,"Local members of The Vine leave to start new churches". specials.idsnews.com. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Misogynistic Content In Valley Springs Church'S Instagram Post". leavingthenetwork.org. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Josh Shepherd,"Whistleblowers Say Leader of 'Network' of Churches Hid Sexual Crime for 36 Years". julieroys.com. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Statements From Former Vineyard Officials". leavingthenetwork.org. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Network Leadership Team And Lead Pastors Respond To Allegations". leavingthenetwork.org. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
