Success in life and ministry doesn't happen overnight. In fact, it may take years for you to have success. That is why it is important for you to continuously build your network relationships. With the right networks, you can generate success sooner than later. The bringing together of like minded individuals who, through relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another."

1. Dr. Oyewole O. Sarumi
IN MINISTRY TODAY

3. It is the meeting of minds on common
ground that benefit both parties

5. Opening Prayers:
What I see not, teach thou me Oh Lord
Explain your will to us in this meeting
Move me forward after this time out.
Opening Scriptures:
Ruth 1:6-18, II Sam.13:1-5, 14

6. Introduction
There are networking that are good and
bad.
Some are effective while others are
ineffective.
Even some are even toxic.
We need to know how to build network
as it is those that you know that will
make you known.

7. Introduction
Success in life and ministry doesn't
happen overnight. In fact, it may take
years for you to have success. That is
why it is important for you to
continuously build your network
relationships.
With the right networks, you can
generate success sooner than later.

10. What is Networking?
The bringing together of like minded
individuals who, through relationship
building, become walking, talking
advertisements for one another."

11. Networking Defined
Network (noun) - A group of people
who exchange information, contacts,
and experience for professional or
social purposes.
Networking (verb) – The art of building
alliances, connection, linkages etc.

12. If You’ve Ever Done These, You’ve
Been…networking! You’re Networking Everyday!
Talked to church members
When attending Conferences, Bible Colleges,
Seminaries and other church/ministry events.
Invite a minister to speak in your church or you’re
so invited.
Volunteered for a local community event
Connecting with people on the social media
Participated in extracurricular groups/activities
Talked to your neighbours/community
Struck up a conversation with anyone while
waiting anywhere…
YOU ARE NETWORKING EVERYDAY!!!

13. The Characteristics
Ineffective Networking

14. 1. No Value Added
Those that doesn’t add value to who
you are or whatever you are doing.
A good networking should add value to
your life, ministry and your labours

15. 2. No Forward Movement
Those that does not move you to your
next level in life, ministry and
endeavours
If you are just where you are in a
network, it is not helpful.

16. 3. Contradicts God’s
Mandate
Those that does not facilitate the
fulfilment of God’s mandate in your life.
It should accelerate and facilitate God’s
purpose in all that you do, doing or will
later engage in.

17. 4. Pulling Down Syndrome
Those that pulls you down rather than
build you up.
People who make you feel small, and
inferior and want you to know how big
and how superior they are to you.
They exhibit superiority complex.

18. 5. Deviation from Biblical
Standard
Those that leads to deviation and
diminishing from divine standard –
acceptable biblical standard.
Please beware of many corrupters in
ministry who are wolves in sheep skin.

20. 6. Worldly than Word-full
Those that makes you more worldly than
word-full.
If your interaction with someone start to
make you worldly, it is not good.
Even though the person may be old in
ministry, he/she may be worldly.
You can enjoy physical, material, financial
blessing from any network, but if there’s no
spiritual blessing, escape promptly.

21. 6. More Corruption
Those that brings more of corruption
than edification & progress – run from
it.

22. 7. Nullify Core Values
Those that affect your core values
negatively, run from it.
As a Christians, you have convictions
and values, if your networking does not
enhance it, it is dangerous for you.

23. Summarising Ineffective
Networking
Reading I Kg.13:11- 21: NOTE-
Any Networking that:
Makes you to disobey God
That promote their ideas above what God
has told you – An Angel told me…??
That make you to contradict your
consecration which you receives from God.
NB: The most dangerous people that make
you to fail and fall are the old prophets –
Age is not an indices of hearing from God

24. In Ikg.18: 21-22, we saw how 450 people
& in Acts 23:12-14 40+ gathered together
in a networking – against the will of God.
Beware of unprofitable networking – these
people perished in one day.
Be cautious of those that you invite to
minister in your church – they always
leave deposit of their lives – good or bad.
NO SENTIMENT.

25. Traits of Genuine Networking

26. There are about 5 things that you can
see in a genuine and profitable
networking:

27. 1. Enhancement
Those that brings genuine enhancement
into your life and ministry.
Once you meet a correct man, your life is
improved.

28. 2. Enlightenment
There will be enlightenment – an eye
opening to areas that you have not
known before.

29. 3. Encouragement
There will be encouragement, no
casting down

30. 4. Edification
There will be edification -

31. 5. Exaltation
There will exaltation - it moves you to
the next level

32. You Cannot Do it Alone!
Reading – II Sam.10:10-11 – We see
Joab’s experience.
Don’t wait until things get worse for you.
You cannot do it alone, though I’m the
captain, time will come that I need you
and you will need me – two is better
than one.

33. You Cannot Do it Alone!
Reading I Cor.12:14-27
The body is not one member, like the
church.
Lets operate with the body concept – we
need one another to do well.
No room for self, arrogance in the body of
Christ. If your ministry is big, and mine is
small, we all have a role to play on earth.
Don’t despise one another – we are all
necessary in the body.

34. Once a part of the body is not
performing its function, the body breaks
down and diseases sets in – Please
consider the Church and problem of
denominationalism today and the harm
it is causing to the body of Christ!

35. The Premise of Networking

36. 1. The Body of Christ is one
and interdependent
I Cor.12 we’ve just read says - The Body
of Christ is one and interdependent
Denominationalism is causing problems
and cleavages of the church today.
People are building personal empire –and
it is causing rancour and rat-race and all of
become rats at the end of the day.

37. Many of us are not praying for other
churches, pastors and souls.
Many parishes are not working together,
and everyone seems to be on their own.
Intra-departmental networking is even
lacking in the same parish or assembly.

38. Women meetings or conferences are
dominated by women. Ditto for children,
youth, men and other groups meeting.
This is an enourmous problem in the
body of Christ.
Can you imagine RCCG people praying
for Winners or CAC meeting or
gathering?

40. 2. All Gifts are for the Body
Any gift or resources in the church is
meant for the whole body of Christ.
Anything that a church possess is for
the whole body of Christ.
Daddy GO is not just a gift to RCCG, he
is a gift to the body of Christ today.
There are many like him also planted in
different denominations.

41. 3. Tap and Demand For it
God’s desire and design is that we tap
and make demand for what he has
provided for our total good.
Why suffering when God has made
provision for this in the body – Just reach
out and tap from it.
Some are more gifted in prayer, teaching,
prophecy etc. – Tap from it without
apology.

42. 4. No one Knows it All
No one knows it all – so that we don’t
become God.
It is a deliberate design by God for our
interdependence.
There some things RCCG have that CAC
does not and vice versa.
Many churches are totally closed to the
other denomination – it is not what Christ
died for.

43. 5. You Need External Inputs
You cannot do it all alone without external
input. See IIKg.4:1-7
You will be rotten and decay when you
don’t look out – you need to be exposed to
see how things are being done afresh and
better elsewhere.
The closed churches are far behind and
lacking in many things.
You may not copy, but you need skeletal
ideas to build upon.

44. 6. Corporate And Collective Efforts
Networking applies corporate and
collective efforts within the Body.
We need the input of one another.
The New Testament church applied this
extensively as we shall see were soon.
There is no wisdom or benefits being
alone, an island or segregationist – this
is not wisdom and you may regret it.

45. No Business with any Man!
Let’s look at Judges 18:7, 27-28 – NO
BUSINESS WITH ANY MAN – even though
they are progressing like many churches
today, it isn’t healthy.
It is very easy for you to be destroyed when
you are far from any man.
What of Samson, very powerful but died the
death of a fool. He lived alone, work alone
and died alone. His parents has no
influence on him.
Let his life speak to you – Get connected!

46. Networking Makes The Work Grow
Faster
Networking makes the work grow faster
and it is totally scriptural and needful.
Acts 4:23 – They went to their own
company – not alone.
Acts 8:14 – Phillip created impact and
others came to join him from Jerusalem-
Peter discover Simon the sorcerer which
Phillip couldn’t do. Simon is a destroyer!!!
Let us help ourselves in the body of Christ.

47. Populating Your Network
The people in your network can:
Help you solve a difficult problem
Provide perspective
Teach you new things
Support your efforts/labours
Inform you of new opportunities
Celebrate your successes
Give you valuable feedback
Help you relieve stress

48. The Practise of Networking

49. We can thoroughly examine the
Scriptures to fully understand that God
desire we network for the health and
vitality of the body.
Even in Gen.3:9, God laid the
foundation for networking when he
visited Adam in the Garden of Eden.

50. New Testament Examples
of Networking
Acts 9:13, 27,36, 11:22-25
Ananias was told to make input into Saul’s life
when converted
Paul was rejected, but Barnabas introduced
him to the church when nobody refused, vs.27
Even Jesus was introduced to the world by
John the Baptist – He must increase…..
Barnabas was sent to Antioch, but after he
went after Paul – Networking can be expensive
sometime- vs.11:25.

51. The people in Joppa sent for Peter to come and
helped them- vs.37-38
Many are protecting their contacts. NOTE- You
receive this contact anyway!
Let’s learn to share and look for one another
What are we struggling for that we have not
been given?
What you know can benefit the body, let other
people know it – selfish canal mind isn’t good.

52. Acts 15 – when they had trouble, they had to
go to Jerusalem to resolve it.
Acts 16:1-3 - When Paul got to Lystra, they
introduced Timothy to him, that was how they
met.
If you have good books, give it to others to read
and benefit from it – Stop this rat race please.
Acts 17:10, 18:18 – All through here, we see
networking in practise. Even Priscilla and
Aquila discipled Apollos.

54. Even in Old Testament in I Kg.19:15-17:
God said all of these people are working
for my own cause.
We need to note the following for a
good practice of networking:

55. Seven Important Things
Right Concept of the body – we are all one.
Right Companionship – I need you, you need
me.
Right Communication – I’m free, do you need
help here, I need help here.
Right Cooperation - Joining hands together in
sincerity
Right Commitment – with good motive
Right Contributions – do your part, and I do
mine
Right Concerns – Be concern about one
another

56. Kinds of Networking in Ministry
In networking, you think more about the
kingdom than denomination.
There could be:
Intra-departmental
Intra-church
Inter-church
Inter-ministerial
Intra-ministerial
Inter-denominational

57. Over familiarity makes networking
difficult because we don’t value what is
close to us.
There is a beauty within us – let’s stop
this unnecessary importation of ministers
Look within your parish, church, ministry
and use them, then if not available, be
bold to reach out to those outside with
the grace you need.

58. Important things in Networking
In networking, the following 7 things are important:
SINCERITY – don’t use people, don’t take
advantage of people
SERIOUSNESS
STRAIGHT FORWARDNESS
SUBMISSIVENESS
SELFLESSNESS - don’t think about yourself
alone
SIMPLE MINDEDNESS
STRATEGIC REASONING – there is something
this man carry that my church or ministry need.

59. The Armour of NETWORKING
DISCRETION – you need wisdom to know
what to do
DISCERNMENT – is this the relationship I
desire and need.
DISCIPLINE – know when to stop the
networking if harming you. You could have
made a mistake in networking with the wrong
people. Cut it off promptly.
Many people were anointed in the past, but
they are no more in line with God. So inquire on
them!

60. People in your Network
Your network should include people with a variety
of connections to you, and who serve you in
different ways, such as:
People with knowledge you need
Social/ministry contacts
Peers [in your church/outside]
Relevant groups like PFN, CAN & others.
People with external perspectives
People with spiritual knowledge
People with church organizational awareness
People with knowledge of church growth
People with backgrounds different from yours
(cultural, gender, age, educational,
denominational, callings, expereince etc.)

61. Problems Against Networking
1. PRIDE
2. SELF
3. MIS-UNDERSTANDING OF THE
KINGDOM CONCEPT – We are one body
4. UNNECESSARY FEAR
5. INSECURITY
6. PLAYING GOD – who can teach me
attitude!
7. GREED

63. The Principles of Networking

65. What are the principles that will help us in
effective networking?
Know your limitation – if you don’t know
your limitations, you will die as a fool.
Hand over areas you are weak to those
who can do it better!
Know what others can do better
Understand that the body is one

66. We don’t need to operate in fear and
arrogance
We don’t despise the strength and grace
in others – God has many children please.
Be ready to benefit from others.
Realise and know the principle of division
of labours and work – to teach, pray,
giving etc. requires different people/graces
The is the Lord’s work, allow Him to build it
in his own ways

67. We don’t need to build new structures all
the time – every church has a Bible school
– we are wasting resources, what of hymn
books – every church has their own –
starting everything new. This is pride and
arrogance. [Mention others].
Live always with the kingdom mind-set
Be fully persuaded of what you want, or
who you want.

68. Networking is not an abdication of your
responsibilities. You have work to do in
the church, get it done and don’t
surrender it to others, but invite people to
help you in areas of your limitation.
Know when to start networking and when
to stop. Any good thing can become bad
if abused. Don’t over stretch it

69. Stop when you sense danger or going
out of God’s purpose. This is important.
Be sensitive to God’s spirit, what to do
and who to link up with at every given
time.
Don’t invite someone if the Holy Spirit
has not led you – don’t join the
multitude to invite the so-called popular
ministers – Be CAREFUL.

70. Understand yourself and the calling of
God in your life – know the uniqueness of
your calling and link with those who will
help you actualise it. The PERSON and
CALLING is key.
Networking with people of like minded
calling, passion and vision. Not because
they have big names and big ministries
as most can corrupt the work. ALL THAT
GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD!

71. Be always willing to give and receive –
give what you have and receive what
you don’t have.
Have good motives in networking, not
for canal purpose but for the growth of
the kingdom.

72. Don’t pull down others, and don’t let
people pull you down.
Appreciate people whom God wants to
appreciate.
II Pet. 3:15-16: Peter appreciated Paul
– Please appreciate those that God is
leading you to appreciate.

73. The 50-5-10-2 Networking Strategy
50 = Your top 50 Networking contacts.
5 = Reach out to them once every five
weeks or so.
10 = You will touch base with 10 people
per week
2 = You will touch base with 2 people a
day!

74. Once you have established credibility and
trust with certain people in your network,
you can reach out to them for help.
Your network can be a great source of
help, support, resources, partners,
mentors, etc. Take advantage of their
collective experience and network. You will
be surprised at how much people want to
help.

75. However, make sure that you are
providing value to your network long
before you ask for help.
Spend time nurturing your relationships
by helping when you can and making
appropriate connections to assist them
to accelerate their life and ministry
careers.

76. You will be amazed at what can happen
when you leverage your network.
The people you know are one of your
most valuable assets.
Take advantage of it, but only in a
reasonable and credible way.

79. ConclusionJohn 13:17
“If you know these things, blessed are you if
you do them”. NKJV
“You know these things — now do them! That
is the path of blessing”. NLT
“If you know these things, blessed and happy
and to be envied are you if you practice them
[if you act accordingly and really do them]”.
AMP

82. So it is in Ministry!!!
- Oyewole Sarumi
[2012]

83. Be A Candle or A Mirror!

85. Prayer issues
Thank God for this revelation
Make us to see through your light, Oh Lord.
I now know that I’m incomplete without my
brethren
Break off every wrong yoke we are affiliated with
Let me not be filled with myself and not listening
to others in this labour.
Let me not abdicate my primary assignments
Deliver us from the old/evil prophets with sweet
mouth to deceive.
Let me not be jealous of anybody or ministry
Let me use everyday of my life to grow and
manifest your glory in my life and ministry.

86. References Used
Itiowe, Alfred. “Effective Networking in Ministry”.
A message delivered during the NTA Worldwide
18th Annual National Conference, Dec.2013,
Lagos
Sarumi, Oyewole. “Networking Skills for
Leaders”. PLA Resources Series No. 2334, June
2012.
Sarumi, Oyewole. “Relationship and Networking
in the Workplace”. A Lecture delivered to NNPC
Staff during a Retirement Workshop in Abuja,
Nov.2013.