THE BENEFITS OF ADOPTION INTO SOMA

Often pastors ask, what are the benefits of being officially adopted into the Soma family of churches?

1. YOU RECEIVE HELP FROM OTHER SOMA CHURCHES

Being adopted into Soma means we commit to being family with other Soma churches, especially in our area. This is a key part of what makes us Soma. Being Soma is not just a piece of paper, it’s our intentional, ongoing relationship with other Soma churches. And the benefits we receive from being adopted into the Soma family of churches 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.

SOME Expectations OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE:

  • Bring your team to the Soma Australia National Retreat each year
  • Meet regularly with Soma churches in your city to pray
  • Give financially to other Soma churches
  • Work together to provide training as needed
  • 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 family (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.

contact us

SOMA AUSTRALIA ADOPTION PROCESS

+ PRE-ADOPTION: 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.

+ PHASE 1 // GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER

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

– Familiarise your church’s leadership with three documents:

    1. The Soma Distinctives
    2. The 15 Marks of a Strong Soma Church, and
    3. This page outlining the adoption process.

– Express your church leadership’s desire for adoption to an existing Soma leader and pursue them as a sponsor church. Adoption churches require a Soma church in your area with whom you have a relationship to affirm your church’s pursuit of the Soma Family and alignment with its distinctives. They will walk alongside you during the adoption process.

– Set up a ‘getting to know you’ call with:

    1. your Soma sponsor church’s leader(s),
    2. at least one member of your Soma Area leadership team, and
    3. all of your church’s elders.

– You’re invited to join in on Soma Family events like the Soma Family Retreat, area events and calls, Leader cohorts, etc. 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.

+ PHASE 2 // ADOPTION COACHING

Once your church’s elders and Soma leaders are aligned around the documents, expectations, and process, the next step is Adoption Coaching. There is key content to discuss, and personalised coaching (often your Soma sponsor and/or an Area Leader).

– You can complete coaching at whatever pace your elders and coach can sustain. The duration could be up to 10 months, depending on the frequency of the coaching sessions. We need enough time to address each of Soma’s 10 Distinctives and 15 marks of a Strong church, perhaps with applied next steps for the strengthening of your church.

+ PHASE 3 // ADOPTION ON-SITE WEEKEND

Once you complete the coaching process, your church will enter the final phase of the Adoption Process. This includes –

– A review of the strengths and needs discussed throughout the coaching process, and further recommendations. The goal is to serve you and ensure your readiness to enter the Soma family, so this may be one or multiple discussions. Your elders and other Soma area leaders may be involved.

– An on-site weekend review of your church’s strengths, areas of growth, and readiness. Once any concerns are sufficiently addressed, 1-3 members of your Soma Area team will spend 2-3 days with you and your church family.

    1. This team will most likely include your sponsor, your coach, and an Area Team member, preferably this includes at least one woman.
    2. We ask that your church covers the cost of the team’s travel, accommodation (in homes with church members is best), food, etc.
    3. The team meets with elders, MC leaders, staff and/or other leaders, and church members, to get a better feel for who your church family is, to celebrate ways you affirm and embody the marks of a Strong Church and Soma Distinctives in your mission field.

– Following the on-site visit, a Next Steps plan will be developed and discussed which may include further coaching, development, follow-up visits, etc.

+ WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

Upon the Soma Team’s recommendation, your church is adopted into the Soma Family and commissioned into our shared mission, vision, and distinctives at a Family event. Welcome to the family! Soma churches will look forward to pursuing the vision of gospel saturation together with you!

Once in the Soma Family you will build on the engagement you have had with your Area as you collectively pursue Gospel Saturation through investment in the 5 aspects of a Strong Area.

Soma distinctives & beliefs