Not a denomination, no dues, no authority over your ministry. What you get instead is practitioners helping each other identify and take their next faithful step in mission, discipleship, and multiplication.
Who we are
We connect ministry leaders and everyday missionaries who support each other as they bring the gift of salvation to their neighborhoods. This is a community where ministries grow in effectiveness and people experience the joy of participating in Christ's mission.
Everyone here holds five things in common:
What we do
Mission-minded, confessional Lutherans like us want to reach lost people in our communities with the Good News of Jesus. However, too often we work alone, unsure of our next faithful step, even though there are experienced practitioners out there who could offer that exact help.
We help you connect in cohorts with other practitioners to build trust, spark collaboration, and spur each other on in mission, discipleship, and multiplication. When your cohort reaches the edge of what it knows, there are mentors, certified coaches, and process providers to call on.
A cohort is two or more practitioners who meet to build trust, encourage each other with the Gospel, and spur each other on toward their next steps.
Facilitators are initiators, not experts. They pick the date, keep the conversation moving with the Go Network Conversation Tool, make sure every voice is heard, and write down the next steps people name.
Practitioners within driving distance of each other, usually meeting in person.
Practitioners spread out geographically, meeting online.
Practitioners in a shared ministry context, such as church planters, schools, rural or urban congregations, dual parishes, or youth and family ministry.
What we value
His teachings reveal what His mission is and how He accomplishes it, for us and through us.
Praying continuously, seeking what He is already doing, and responding with the gifts He gives.
Humble, honest, and accountable with each other, especially in disagreement, and committed to forgiving and reconciling.
Creativity, curiosity, and courage that let us fail forward and learn, as God's people have always done.
God gives different gifts to each of us, so more is achieved together than alone.
What we believe
We accept without reservation the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice, and all the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, to wit: the three Ecumenical Creeds (the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed), the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Large Catechism of Luther, the Small Catechism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord.
We believe that Christ has called all believers to be His ambassadors to the world, and that the local congregation is the highest authority on ministry and mission within its community.
What it is and isn't
Experienced missional leaders who believe in the vision of the Go Network and volunteer to help us clarify, define, and evaluate the questions, opportunities, and challenges in front of us.
“God has blessed us with a whole ecosystem of mission-minded, confessional Lutherans who have practical experience in reaching their communities with the gospel. The Go Network is important because now we can help these practitioners find each other and offer their experiences to those who want to take their next faithful step on mission with Jesus, too.”
“The Go Network matters because we are the Body Of Christ, different parts of the same Church working to bring glory for the kingdom. We are better when we are learning from each other and growing and going forward together.”
“It’s easy in ministry to feel siloed, like we’re carrying the mission alone, but the Go Network reminds us that this is God’s Church and we’re in this together. I’m excited and grateful to be part of a network where the Holy Spirit connects us to encourage one another, share what we have, receive help when we need it, and serve the Kingdom beyond ourselves.”
“I believe the Go Network is important because it brings like-minded, missional Lutherans into community. We support each other, share best practices, and positively challenge one another to be accountable to the Lord’s mission.”
“The Go Network is important because it connects mission-minded Lutherans across ministries and contexts so we can encourage one another, share what God has given us, and work together in faithful witness to Christ.”
“The Go Network is a strategic response to the most critical needs facing the 21st-century Church.”
“The Go Network matters because it keeps mission-minded, confessional Lutherans from working in isolation, connecting leaders and congregations into trusting relationships – all for the sake of the building of the Kingdom.”
“The Go Network is important because missional collaboration and partnerships enhance everyone’s effectiveness in bringing the Gospel both locally and globally.”
“The GO Network is important because it is a powerful tool and connector for the body of Christ to share resources, encourage one another, and work together. For too long, churches and church organizations have worked separately and as a result have felt lonely and disconnected.”
“I believe in the GoNetwork because the mission is too big to go solo, the Gospel is too good to keep to ourselves, and today’s ministry is too important to do alone. The GoNetwork connects us so that, together, we can reach more people, equip more leaders, and share the Gospel farther than any of us could ever do on our own.”
“The Go Network is important because it encourages and facilitates connections with other mission-minded, confessional leaders.”
“I believe the Go Network is important because seeing every girl, boy, woman, and man enter into a restored relationship with God will require a unified, diverse movement of ministries and believers—each sharing the Good News in distinct contexts and places—and the Go Network provides a place for that unity, support, and shared Kingdom vision to flourish.”
“The Go Network is bringing the strengths of God’s missional body together to go out to the world with His message of redeeming salvation.”
“I believe the Go Network is exactly what I’ve been looking for that enables me to connect with my peers in similar contexts so we can work together as the body of Christ and not just as far-flung churches going it alone.”
“The Go Network is essential because the current and next generation of Kingdom leaders need choices that are consistent with their unique context.”
“You don’t have to GO alone! The GO Network is a community that provides fuel for ministry. It’s where I found mission-minded people, ministry ideas and connections, encouragement, and mentorship.”
“The Go Network is important because we can become more focused and intentional in our personal witness and missional leadership as we collaborate with others who are intent on influencing their community with the gospel.”
Questions
No. It is voluntary, decentralized, and advisory. Congregations may remain fully affiliated with their denomination or association while participating.
Respecting our Lutheran theological framework, embracing the five Mission Targets, and taking part in a cohort. There are no institutional mandates and no financial assessments.
We accept without reservation the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
No. There is no authority to direct, govern, or control congregational life, and no claim over assets, property, or personnel. The role here is to connect congregations with the mentors, tools, and partners they need, not to own, control, or direct those resources.
Through a relational, Matthew 18 model. Alignment happens through peer cohorts and a shared vision of mission, discipleship, and multiplication rather than policy enforcement.
Ministry leaders gain support from a cohort of practitioners, collaborate and spur each other on to make progress with the five Mission Targets, and have access to the Go Network's curated list of proven mentors, certified coaches, and process providers who can provide specific help.
No. Since it is voluntary and advisory rather than governing, congregations can participate fully in denominational or district life while benefiting from additional mission-focused collaboration.
The targets are reflections of how Jesus equips His followers to pursue His mission in the Gospels. They provide a pathway to mark progress and are intended to be incremental, contextual, and engaged at your own pace. They describe ministry practices, not the worth of a ministry.
There are no required dues, assessments, or benefit programs. Donations are received, but participation is not tied to giving.
Go to Get Involved and pick the step that fits. If you're ready, find a cohort and contact its facilitator directly. If you would like more information first, there's a short form for that. If you have experience to offer other practitioners, let's talk!
Join a cohort, start a conversation, or offer your experience to other practitioners.
Get Involved
