SOMA AUSTRALIA JOINING PROCESS

Soma is a covenant network that partners together and relates to one another as family. We call ourselves ‘a family of churches’ to underscore this family way of relating and supporting each other. Here’s how to join.

+ SOMA SCHOOL

At least one elder from your church participate in Soma School. It’s ideal for multiple leaders/couples from your church to do so. This multi-day training includes immersion in a Soma church and is a foundational starting point for this adoption process. Currently Soma Schools happen in Melbourne and the Blue Mountains (near Sydney) each year.

+ GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

As a family of churches, relationships with one another are vital. We work together to train leaders and churches, encourage leader and church health, and share our strengths with each other – so relationships are a very high priority for us. So, the first step of this process is for your church leaders and Soma Area leaders to meet.

– Familiarise your church’s leadership with the Soma Distinctives. 

– Express your church leadership’s desire for joining to the Soma Area team nearest you. Currently we have 2 Soma Areas in Australia: Melbourne and Sydney.

– Set up a ‘getting to know you’ call with your area team.

– You’re invited to join in on Soma get-togethers in your area. We want you to begin to experience the benefits of being a part of the Soma family even as we get to know and trust one another.

+ COACHING

Once your church’s elders and Soma leaders are aligned around values, expectations, and process, the next step is Coaching. There is key content to discuss, and personalised coaching by an Area Leader.

+ COMISSIONING

Upon the Soma Area Team’s recommendation, your church is commissioned at your church Gathering or an appropriate event.

Soma distinctives & beliefs

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A PARTNER CHURCH WITH SOMA

Soma is a covenant network that partners together and relates to one another as family. We call ourselves ‘a family of churches’ to underscore this family way of relating and supporting each other. Here are some reasons to join.

1. YOU RECEIVE HELP FROM OTHER SOMA CHURCHES

Being a partner church means we commit to partnering with other Soma churches in our area, and to relate together with those other churches in a family way. Being a Soma partner church isn’t just a piece of paper, it’s our intentional, ongoing relationship with other Soma churches. And the benefits we receive from being in partnership, are our love for and commitment to each other, around an agreed set of values.

Soma is only what it is when we’re all choosing to actively support one another. The strength of Soma is what we give to each other, when we work together to support each other to be better disciples and leaders and to see Christ’s kingdom grow in our area.

SOME IDEAs OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE:

  • Meeting regularly with Soma churches in your area to pray
  • Give financially to other Soma churches as the Spirit leads
  • Work together to provide training as needed in your area
  • Visit and preach in each other’s churches
  • Overlap your church with other Soma churches by co-hosting events

Defining family further

  • We don’t want a relationship of authority. There is no bishop. This is not a denomination. There are no rights of appointment. We can’t toss you out of your job.
  • Leaders of Soma are only consultants – you invite them in if you want them to come and train or help. It won’t be forced on you.
  • But we can toss you out of the network (that’s the nature of any network – otherwise it’s meaningless).

MOVING TOWARDS BEING FAMILY 

There are three categories moving towards being family (bearing in mind we want to create an open-hearted generosity):

Acquaintances

  • Interested
  • Use resources
  • Take what you want
  • Transactional

Friends/Leaning in

  • Participate in conferences
  • Receive coaching
  • Participate in cohorts
  • Give to and support others
  • Relational

Family

  • As church plant or church
  • Committed to each other and all the benefits of this
  • Some expectations
  • Give money to the Soma family
  • Voluntary financial commitment to other Soma churches
  • Co-host events, training, etc.

2. YOU RECEIVE HELP FROM THE SOMA GLOBAL AREAS LEADERSHIP TEAM, which:

  • Serves, equips and champions the emerging global areas
  • Assists global areas, leaders and churches in issues of conflict, disagreements, and in accusations against elders and area leaders
  • Helps establish healthy families of churches in each area
  • Resources pastors and church leaders with coaching and encouragement
  • Establishes new areas

3. YOU RECEIVE HELP FROM THE AUSTRALIAN AREA LEADERSHIP TEAM:

  • Pastor retreats
  • Adoption process for churches
  • Soul care for pastors
  • Church Planting Residencies/Internships
  • Soma Schools/Exposure Trainings
  • Quarterly Cohorts
  • Prayer gatherings
  • Communications (newsletter, website, videos, etc)
  • Soma Immerse (3.5-week experience for Uni-age group)
  • Admin/office (9 Springwood Ave, Springwood NSW – Dave Miles & Hope Foskett)
  • Resources that we have produced here in Australia
  • City or regional get-togethers for support, training, etc.

Let us know if you would like to officially join us, and we will send you information on the process.

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