If your church is like most churches, it’s probably located in an area with needs that are greater than the congregation’s human and financial resources. As you try to put faith into action, you start to wonder if your individual church’s efforts will make a difference. Issues like affordable housing, mental health care, and violence prevention are complex problems that require more from us than a weekend food giveaway. Although short-term interventions do raise awareness to contribute to lasting change, we should think about how to cultivate alliances.
Scripture reminds us that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Going it alone seldom achieves very much. The apostle Paul praised the Philippians for their “sharing in the gospel” (1:5). He never imagined that what God called him to do was possible without the mutually supportive relationships he established on his missionary journeys. Likewise, when we are discerning where God is leading the church today, it’s important also to consider whom God is calling the church to partner with — and how.
Partnerships work best when they are rooted in trust, a commitment to a shared purpose and an understanding of mutual benefit. In a partnership, each party is expected to fulfill its promises to the other. Each entity contributes and receives in some way because each one has strengths and weaknesses. A partnership is not patronage — it’s collaboration.
What local, national or global organizations are doing good work that aligns with your church’s mission? What do they need from you? How might working with them positively impact your church? As you reflect on ways to revitalize ministry in your context, it’s worth considering how you will cultivate meaningful partnerships in ministry.
Resources
From Chicago basement to international stage, the power of collaboration fueled a Latino-led nonprofit working with youth
In its early days, a startup nonprofit working to make the Bible more accessible to young people in urban areas found a crucial community partner. The result of their collaboration is a lesson for us all.
By Elizabeth Tamez Méndez
Nonprofit helps churches increase social impact by leveraging their assets
The Oikos Institute for Social Impact helps BIPOC Christian leaders work together to develop a vision, identify existing resources and seek new sources of funding for ministries that serve their communities.
By Alison Bowen
A partnership rooted in God’s love builds affordable housing in New York City
The Trinity-Rev. William M. James Senior Apartments is a collaboration offering affordable housing with wraparound services for seniors, intentionally including the formerly incarcerated.
By Genine Babakian
A new partnership helps a social enterprise create ‘networked impact’
Helping another social enterprise get off the ground offered an existing organization a chance to magnify the impact of its own programs to help teens and young adults.
By Matt Overton
Before you go…
The next time you stream a movie, don’t turn off the television when the action stops. Let the credits roll. Notice the hundreds of people who are listed as being part of the collaborative effort that brought the story to life. The director and writer knew the story they wanted to tell, but they needed partners to make the movie.
This is a good metaphor for how we do ministry. To bring God’s redemptive story to life, we will likely need to build a network of partners. These partners might be other congregations, denominationally affiliated organizations, financial institutions or local practitioners who know what the real issues are. On a personal level, partners might be mentors, coaches and trusted friends. However they show up in our lives and ministry, good partners are an essential part of doing anything well. Who are your potential partners?
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. We’d love to hear from you. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity