Who we are

Catalyst is an apostolic family, starting and strengthening churches

that multiply disciples to see God’s Kingdom fill the Earth.

We recognise the need to be clear about the interplay between our apostolic foundations – the convictions we carry and the kinds of churches we seek to start and strengthen – and the charitable and legal frameworks in which our churches are based and operate globally.

This document seeks to provide a backdrop to our relationships, and outline understandings and expectations so there is clarity before, during and after a church is planted within or joins the Catalyst Network of Churches.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” (Eph 2:19-21)

This, we take to mean, that the foundation for the universal church was laid by the New Testament apostles and prophets as they declared the gospel of the Kingdom and took this message to the nations. Additionally, we believe that apostolic and prophetic ministries today must ensure that this same foundation is laid into the churches in which they serve.

We’ve defined this foundation in seven parts which can be outlined by answering the question ‘what is a church?’ and by looking through the scriptures to give us an understanding of the prophetic promise, the fulfilment in Christ, the example that we see in Acts 2:36-47 and the apostolic encouragement that we see in the other New Testament writings.

We seek to establish and nurture these seven apostolic foundations in all new and existing Catalyst Churches around the globe. There are also key responsibilities to one another that directly affect ‘how’ we go about laying these foundations.

Apostolic Foundations

Fundamentally, the church is a community of worshippers on mission together. So, in laying an apostolic and prophetic foundation we build churches who …

By grace we worship Jesus as Lord

We believe Jesus died for us, that his grace is sufficient for us, and we are committed to taking up our cross and following Him. Starting and strengthening churches built on the grace of God is essential to seeing the kinds of churches we see in the New Testament – churches found in, built on and sent out with Christ.

Devoted to God

We’re devoted to God and worship him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We’re called into relationship with the Father. We enjoy fellowship and communion with Him as His adopted children and live a life seeking him.

Raising and training disciples and leaders across the network who are devoted to God is key to this foundation. We invest heavily in this training and ask local churches to take the raising and training of leaders seriously by engaging in this.

People of the Word and Spirit

We are a people of both God’s word and His Spirit – we teach the bible and we are baptised in His Spirit. We want to build churches that hear, obey and share God’s word. The church is a temple of the Holy Spirit and we should expect His presence among us. We believe in the power, the life and gifts of the Holy Spirit to the church and seek to build churches that express this reliance on Him and His power.

Ephesians 4 ministry is grounded in God's word and God’s Spirit.

Hubs – Apostolic Teams

Catalyst is a network of churches working together through apostolic teams, ‘Hubs’, to outwork our vision – to make disciples and start and strengthen churches. Every church is connected to one of our Hubs. Hubs provide the space for churches to work together, for leaders to connect, for Ephesians 4 ministry to grow, develop, be given and received in the church. Hubs train and plant churches and teams across the world.

Genuine love for one another

knowing one another, meeting each other’s needs, being in friendship with one another – this a hallmark of the church. We seek to start and strengthen churches that foster healthy relationships throughout the church, caring for one another as each has need.

Keeping one another safe

Part of our commitment to loving one another is keeping one another safe. We are extremely serious about safeguarding throughout our network and expect all churches who are part of the Network, wherever they may operate, to establish and follow safeguarding policy and procedures suitable for their context, and to adhere to and implement our Safeguarding Statement. In addition to this we strongly recommend that every Catalyst church operating in the UK follows our specific UK recommendations. Catalyst requires that churches in the network inform Catalyst's DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) immediately if an allegation is made against a senior church leader or its chair of trustees, or if there is a significant safeguarding concern raised in the church or an organisation it has specific responsibility for.

The Catalyst Safeguarding Statement can be found here

The Catalyst UK Safeguarding recommendations can be found here

Anointed leadership operating in team

Our churches are led by teams of gifted men and women of different backgrounds and ages, married and single, serving according to the gifts that God has given them. Both women and men have authority, voice, respect, recognition and influence in the direction and shape of our church and operate with genuine love and mutual respect. By networking our church teams together we want to build a growing apostolic network giving and receiving resources, accountability, training, support, friendship and partnering in key ventures together.

Healthy Leadership

We encourage healthy team leadership where men and women lead together and where successes are celebrated and conflict or struggle responded to. Healthy leadership requires intentional development. We expect Catalyst churches to engage in training and development of leaders, partnership at leadership events and conferences, and the development of healthy leadership policy and procedure to ensure concerns can be raised and responded to promptly ensuring leaders grow and develop.

Declare and demonstrate the news of the Kingdom

We are a people who understand the gospel of the kingdom and know how to declare it and demonstrate it wherever God has placed us, particularly remembering the poor – building churches that heal the sick bring freedom to the oppressed, lead people to christ and do the works of the kingdom

Finance

Seeing God’s kingdom fill the earth is only possible as we work together. One of the ways we do that is by partnering together financially.

We encourage all Catalyst churches to give a percentage of their income away.

Our minimum recommendation within this, is that:

1/3 of a churches total income would be given to the Hub they are a part of enabling apostolic ministry to grow and develop around them.

1/3 of a churches total income would be given to Catalyst as a whole enabling us to support ministry globally through the many Hubs that form our network.

Churches would take up periodic offerings in response to us partnering together across multiple hubs in specific ventures. These would be given to offerings such as at conferences or festivals.

Make healthy multiplying disciples

We understand the priority of making healthy, growing, multiplying disciples; teaching one another to obey everything Jesus has commanded us, baptising one another in the name of the father, son and holy spirit. We encourage churches to be strategic in ‘going’ to the local area, the region and the world.

Specifically, we are partnering with one another to:

Train1000 – globally training 1000 church planters to be ready to go

Sent Ones - training and releasing disciples cross-culturally - COMING SOON

Legal accountability

Catalyst Network of Churches is not a denomination but is an apostolic network of churches who choose to be in ongoing relationship with one another. No aspect of becoming a Catalyst church takes away from or replaces the legal responsibilities and authority of the local elders and deacons, leaders and trustees. The relationship and welcoming of apostolic ministry into the local church in no way compromises or affects the independence of the local church or the legal responsibilities they may have under the laws in their nation.

How is Catalyst structured?

Catalyst Network of Churches is primarily made up of apostolic teams we call Hubs. These Hubs, as one network of churches, are led by a Strategy Team made up of leaders serving in their local and trans-local contexts but working together to bring strategic leadership to Catalyst as a whole. The Strategy team is led by an apostolic lead. The Strategy team is operationally supported by the Catalyst Central Support Team and the Board of Directors, who provide governmental and legal oversight.

Our Catalyst board of directors includes:

Mike Saxton

Simon Holley

Richard Wightman

Andrew Simpkins

Royden Loveley

Dave Morris

Sharon Clark

Use of name and logo

We recognise and value the importance of good communication and so encourage churches that are part of Catalyst to acknowledge their involvement by use of the name and logo. Equally important is that both are presented correctly so that clarity is maintained. To achieve this we have prepared a comprehensive media pack available to all Catalyst churches providing files and instructions to assist media and communications teams.

We often describe ourselves as ‘Catalyst, part of Newfrontiers’, reflecting our roots in the wider Newfrontiers family. We encourage Catalyst churches to do the same, remembering that our leadership and conduct have a bearing on both these families.

Catalyst Network of Churches is a separate legal entity based in England. It is structured as a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity. This brings appropriate and helpful restrictions in order that good administration is maintained. However, it can also limit the extent to which policies, procedures and practices can be applied in different legal contexts. For example, in providing a grant to another church or charity, we are required to ensure certain financial and safeguarding procedures are in place before releasing finance. When this is to a different country with different laws and practices, we have to be understanding of local policy.

Consequently, in the same way that a local church maintains its independence when part of Catalyst, so they must be mindful of local laws and regulations appropriate to their jurisdiction.

When things go wrong

Any pastoral, legal, financial or safeguarding issues in a church should be addressed by the local leaders/elders/trustees (or equivalent in non-UK jurisdictions) and action taken in accordance with the relevant laws, statutes and ‘responsible agencies’ in that nation. In the UK the ‘responsible agencies’ would include the Police, Social Services and the Charity Commission.

The Catalyst Central Support Team, Hubs and Strategy Team may be available for input or assistance but only by invitation. Such input or assistance will be limited by the knowledge of the individual involved and therefore suitable professional help should be sought by the local leaders/elders/trustees before decisions are taken.

Catalyst would ask to be informed by local leaders or trustees if necessary and appropriate, particularly if concerns raised (specifically regarding their leadership and/or a safeguarding concern) are connected to a local senior leader, a leader acting on behalf of Catalyst, or a chair of trustees.

There are numerous people who work on Catalyst’s behalf but who are not employed by the Catalyst Network of Churches UK-based charity. Working out which legal entity has responsibility for the individual is key to us resolving the issue. If the issue or complaint relates to staff employed by Catalyst Network of Churches UK-based charity, the Catalyst Chief Operating Officer should be informed, or if it relates to them, the Catalyst chair of trustees. Their contact details can be obtained by emailing [email protected]

Our complaints policy can be found here.