1. Network not an entity
Initially, at least, the focus is on building, strengthening and maintaining relationships not the establishment and maintenance of an entity.
Strength comes from deep relational life having its source in the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), rather than structure and documentation.
If in time, an entity is required to facilitate and enable activities that promote the building of relationships; this could be considered at that time.
2. Statement of Purpose
The purpose of KILN is to inspire Christians in the legal community to see and conduct their work as a calling to Kingdom Ministry.
3. Spiritual friendships
The desire is that deep and abiding friendships will form beyond each of our borders and that those relationships will form the basis for mutual encouragement in the journey of Christian faith as legal professionals. These relationships may result in mentoring, resource sharing and lawyer exchange programs. What comes to mind here is Hebrews 12:1 – that we could develop friendships and relationships with other professionals that could assist us to lay aside the encumbrance, and let us run the race before us as legal professionals.
4. Statement of Faith
We are an intentional multi-denominational Christian community whose Statement of Faith comes from the Bible and is perhaps best summarized in the Nicene and Apostles Creeds.
5. Key Biblical text
“My justice will become a light to the nations” (Isaiah 51:4b)
6. How the word “Kiln” is used in the Bible
Psalm 12:6 MSG
“God’s words are pure words,
Pure silver words refined seven times
In the fires of his word-kiln,
Pure on earth as well as in heaven.”
Exodus 19:18
“All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because Yahweh had come down on it in fire. Smoke rose from the mountain like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.”
7. Intentionally Multi-denominational
Each trunk and branch of the church represents part of the body of Christ. Diversity and difference is to be welcomed by KILN as an expression of unity in the body of Christ and opportunity to learn from one another, encourage one another, and support one another.
Style and form of KILN gatherings will be mindful of the diversity.
8. Intentionally International
Whilst the KILN network emerged as an answer to prayer between law firms based in Australia and Fiji, the intention of the KILN network is to be a global network. The use of the word ‘international’ in the naming of the network is indicative of its reach and purposefully acts as an encouragement to those in the law around the world as they hear of ‘ stories’ of what God is doing in and through legal professionals in other jurisdictions.
9.Initial steering committee
To this end the initial steering committee will be intentionally drawn from people of different denominations (with a majority not from Australia).
The steering committee currently meets monthly via Skype for prayer and planning.
The intention is that the steering committee will be appointed at each Conference for the period until the next conference.
Contact the current steering committee members.
10. Not for profit
The network will only seek to cover costs from events.
11. Intellectual property
No-one “owns” the KILN name or brand, or material shared on the KILN web site. Again, this is deliberately counter-cultural for lawyers.
12. Leadership
KILN leadership will be provided by the steering committee.