Crosslink Christian Network was formed in 1997 with five founding churches whose leaders had been meeting together seeking God’s direction for the future. All of us had been shaped by the charismatic renewal and no one wanted to be independent. We had also rediscovered our primary identity as members of the kingdom of God rather than with a particular name or tribe. What motivated us was a simple desire to clear the decks and further the task of preaching the gospel, making disciples and planting churches.

The Network has grown from the original 5 churches to approximately 130 in Australia and 20-30 in 15 other nations around the world. We have adopted the historic creeds of the church to indicate our general orthodoxy and remain committed to Christ and the testimony of Scriptures as our authority in all aspects of life and work.

What started out as a few churches needing to survive has become a strong and flexible network built on a commitment to Jesus Christ that creates humility and trust. We are now becoming a Network of networks with direct and fraternal links around the world. As such, and like the kingdom itself, we are convinced that this tool, by the grace of God will continue to expand. We are not trying to build another empire. We desire to build links that enable the purposes of God to be better seen, embraced and served. We want to see Paul’s words eloquently fulfilled and infinitely multiplied:

“ For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. “ (2 Corinthians 4:5)

The word “Crosslink” is a term used in industrial chemistry. It is a bonding process for polymer chains that create strength but also flexibility. It is the process that makes the tyres on your car strong and flexible. For us the bonds of relationship and mission are forged as a result of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

We had another motive in choosing this name. We wanted the name to represent a commitment to support and serve the godly vision of local churches, not supplant them. We wanted them to discover and serve God’s vision for their own ministry.

We acknowledge the need in Christian ministry for variety in developing ministry form and strategy. Since the network is relational, it depends on the strength of the relationship, not the degree of conformity, with its chemical counterpart, which seek to build unity with flexibility.

Our identity with the church around the world, and throughout history is represented by our commitment to the core Christian truths contained in the Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds.
We share a strong sense of identity with the ongoing need for renewal and transformation. As such our primary commitment is to the Lordship of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. We affirm the unity and diversity: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
The following represent some of the things we consider to be important:
1. The Bible We value the Bible as the full revelation of Jesus Christ and seek to approve all things according to the Word of God. We are committed to believing God to fulfil every promise contained in Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. Jesus Christ as Lord and head of the church – We value our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ as our primary commitment and seek to serve Jesus as Lord through the whole of our lives. (Acts 2:36)

3. Holy Spirit empowering for ministry – We value the empowering of the Holy Spirit as the essential enablement for ministry that would bear witness to Jesus. We seek to develop in the operation of all the gifts and graces of the Spirit given by God as supernatural equipment for the ongoing ministry of Jesus (Acts 1:8)

4. Completing the work of the Great Commission– We are committed to fulfil the Great Commission given by Jesus to the church, to preach the gospel to every person, seeking to draw them to become His disciples. We will seek to multiply this ministry through planting churches. (Matthew 28:18 – 20)

5. The Church – We value the planting and multiplying of churches as communities of people who seek to follow Jesus and fulfill his mission. (Ephesians 1:22; Acts 2:40 – 47)

6. Oneness – As local churches / ministries we seek the unity of the Spirit with every believer and with all churches / ministries that confess faith in Jesus Christ. We desire to co-operate with the other churches / ministries in our region in order to proclaim the Gospel to every person. (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3)

7. Worship and Prayer – We value the opportunity to pursue fellowship with the Father and the Son and seek to be informed and transformed because of the access made possible by Jesus Christ. (John 4:23; 1 John 1:1-4)

8. Proclaiming the Kingdom of God – We see our primary identity as citizens of the kingdom of God, serving its King, Jesus Christ and living lives that bring the future into the present We seek to be shaped by the values and vision revealed by Jesus Christ in Scripture. (1 Peter 1:15; Acts 1:1-8; Matthew 13)

9. Poor and marginalised people – We want to feel and therefore fulfil Jesus’ special love for the people in his day who were regarded as poor or outcast. We want to learn how to love Jesus by loving them. (Matthew 25:31 – 46)

1. Identity and belonging – We seek to foster an environment where strategic relationships can be formed so that our capacity to complete the mission of Jesus will be increased.

2. Relationship and Accountability – To provide a network of encouragement, humility and trust that results in authentic accountability through relationship.

3. Resourcing and Support – To make resources available that will help groups of Christians to establish dynamic local churches (legal structures, credentialing, insurance, etc), so that each church will develop effective ministry through its own God–given vision.

4. Revelation and Inspiration – To gather together regularly for fellowship, worship, prayer and ministry. At these gatherings we will seek to hear from God and to be encouraged through the ministry of Godly leaders. It will be our aim to be open to every further work of God in our midst.

5. Overcoming Difficulties – At the invitation of the pastor or leader(s) of a particular church / ministry we would seek to provide specific support in order to overcome difficulties or resolve conflicts. We would want to do everything possible to see that the local ministry develops without needless and avoidable hindrance.

Our basis for belonging is to inspire and encourage commitment to Christ that produces loving communities built by speaking the truth in love.

Each church or ministry that is accepted is affiliated with its own Biblical vision and values, legal entity, financial structure and general insurance policies. Crosslink is able to provide collective Professional Indemnity and Directors Liability Insurance. Our current preferred insurer is FaithInsure (https://faithinsure.com.au )
Each church or ministry will have relationship with at least two key leaders to whom they look for apostolic mentoring. These relationships are appointed by the church and need not be members of the Network. The idea is to make sure each ministry includes the apostolic functions of coach/mentor to enable the local church to grow in their commitment to God and effectiveness in ministry to their communities.

We look to our annual conference for opportunities to develop connections that will add value to the ministries concerned.

The Website is intended to provide resources and information adjunct to our work.
The Board of the Network are chosen because of their capacity to represent the members and to oversee the expansion and development of the Network as a tool of the kingdom purposes of God. Board Members (Directors) are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Crosslink is a nominating authority for the Attorney–General’s department; This enables us to register Endorsed Ministers of Churches in the network as marriage celebrants.

Crosslink is a network of churches and ministries that share similar values and beliefs and represent a contemporary expression of the kingdom of God. It provides a national identity and an opportunity to relate with people across the nation.
What is a Network?
A network implies that the churches and ministries are connected in some way.

How are they connected?
(1) They are connected through the relationships of the ministers and leaders of individual churches and ministries.
(2) They are connected by having similar primary beliefs and values.
(3) They are connected through having similar organisational needs to carry out the ministry which includes Government denominational status, legal endorsement of ministers providing tax benefits, marriage celebrant authorisation, and professional indemnity insurance savings.
(4) They are connected through recognising apostolic leadership. These churches recognise that over the years there have been ministers who have related with particular congregations and have given direction, encouragement, and played a part in the release of the Holy Spirit in the life of the congregation.

What is the difference between a Network and a Denomination?
One of the primary differences between a network and a denomination is that the network is a support mechanism based on relationships, focused on the local church rather than by centralised leadership. Each local church has its own vision, legal structures, financial viability. It needs to take full responsibility for whatever the Holy Spirit has called it into being. The network provides connectedness that encourage leaders of the church in their own ongoing growth and ministry.
One of the classic differences between a Network church and a Denominational church lies in the fact that the primary sense of commitment is to the local church and its wider expression rather than to a denomination. Crosslink has no missions department or youth department. We have a part time leader (chairperson) and a part time administrator. We have no authority to intrude or coerce but work through mutually agreed commitment and relationship.

Crosslink Memorandum & Articles of Association
Our Memorandum & Articles of Association are available via the following link: