Healthy cooperation amongst local churches is a part of God’s design for the local church. Throughout the New Testament, we can observe a variety of ways in which local churches partnered together in the work of the gospel. To that end, Summit Woods Baptist Church has joined The Pillar Network. The Pillar Network consists of more than 568 churches across 46 countries. They have accounted for the planting of more than 180 new churches and 46 revitalizations.

According to their website, “…the Pillar Network is an affinity association of churches that cooperate with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for the purpose of international missions, church planting, and theological education. While Southern Baptists are like-minded in doctrine that is consistent with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the Pillar Network provides a home within that larger context for churches that are committed to leadership by a plurality of male Elders, live expository preaching, Kingdom multiplication through church-to-church planting and revitalization efforts, and the Gospel of our Sovereign Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In relation to our Convention agencies/seminaries, it is Pillar’s desire to support, encourage, and serve these critical institutions, however we can, for the good of the Great Commission.”

The SBC is a broad partnership of churches that exists under the umbrella of theological agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Within that broad partnership, Pillar is a subset of churches that have more specific theological and philosophical alignment.

Specific to their theological and philosophical distinctives are the following:

“I. GOSPEL PROCLAMATION
We proclaim the gospel of our Sovereign Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

II. BIBLICAL AUTHORITY
We submit to the Bible as our final authority in life, faith, and doctrine

III. LIVE EXPOSITION
We promote live, expository preaching to equip the church

IV. ELDER LED
We believe in congregationalism, led by a plurality of qualified, male elders

V. CONFESSIONALLY BAPTIST
We unite around historic, Baptist theology

VI. KINGDOM MINDED
We cooperate to start and strengthen churches all over the world”

For us to be a cooperating partner within the Pillar Network the following is required:

“AFFIRM our DNA and beliefs
ENGAGE in network functions (ex. zoom calls, regional events, the Unite Conference, etc.)
GIVE meaningfully to the Pillar Network (ex. Most US churches move towards giving 1-2% of their budgets)
PARTNER directly with at least one other church plant/revitalization work in the Pillar Network (US or International)”

Pillar provides a network of likeminded churches with which we can fellowship and partner together for missions and church planting. Pray for our partnerships with other local churches within the Pillar Network. Pray for the missions team to have wisdom regarding how to leverage our partnerships within Pillar for the purposes of future church planting and missions. Pray for the leadership of the Pillar Network to remain upright, faithful, holy, and committed to the doctrinal and philosophical distinctives of the network.