The Vitality of Partnership
Partnership as a Way of Life AND Ministry
One of the most common phrases uttered to parishioners in the church is, “Don’t do life alone.” The instruction is vital to the spiritual growth and vitality of every member. Encouragement, connection, shared resources, and help is the byproduct of mutual collaboration and partnership with someone else. Acting alone is a sure pathway to discouragement, loneliness, and unwanted mistakes.
The same is true regarding partnership among churches. At the BCNE, we don’t want you to pastor alone nor do we want your churches to act independently. Partnership with other pastors and churches are vital to your wellbeing, mutual collaboration, and Kingdom effectiveness. More can be done together than apart.
Partnership is Essential: Prayer, Money, and People
Partnership among churches and pastors are littered throughout the New Testament. Partnership includes these three vital elements: Prayer, Money, and People.
In regards to prayer, there are at least eight places in the New Testament where Paul asks churches to pray for him, the advancement of the Gospel and for other churches (Rom 15:30-32; 2 Cor 1:10-11; Eph 6:18-20; Phil 1:9; Col. 4:2-4; I Thess. 5:25; 2 Thess. 3:1-2; Phil 1:22; and possibly Heb. 13:18-19 if you believe Paul as the writer of Hebrews). Churches can avidly pray and intercede for other churches.
In regards to financial partnership, there are many examples but let me mention a couple. First, the Jerusalem church received financial offerings from Gentile Churches. This offering was in response to a famine in Judea (predicted in Acts 11) that affected poor Christians in Jerusalem. The collection was a demonstration of solidarity and partnership and a very practical way to provide relief for those in need. Without the churches partnering together, many Christians in Jerusalem would have suffered or died.
Secondly, the Philippian Church financially partnered with the Apostle Paul in his missionary journeys to start churches throughout the Roman Empire. His financial support from them was incredibly vital because not one church shared with Him in the matter of giving except the Philippian Church (Phil. 4:15). The Apostle Paul would have been greatly hindered or set back in the ministry work without their partnership. Some have made a case that the Philippian church fueled much of the movement of Christianity because of their help. Paul was so grateful for the support, that he would say in the beginning of his letter to the church at Philippi, “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Phil. 1:3 NIV).
In regards to people, the birth and growth of the church in Antioch can be credited to multiple partnerships. First, a team of people (men from Cyprus and Cyrene) went to Antioch to evangelize, then Barnabas is sent by the Jerusalem church to encourage and lead, and then eventually Paul teams with Barnabas to strengthen the church.
“…Men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch…telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus…and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived…he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people” (Acts 11:20-24, NIV).
You Can Partner!
Who are you sending to help another church? What church(es) are you lifting up in prayer? How are you sacrificing financially to help other churches succeed? If you need a partnership opportunity in New England, we can help!
Do you need a partner to pray for you, bring financial support, or bring a team to help you with a ministry project that will advance the Gospel in your town? We can help! If you have a need or project this summer, please reach out (shaller@bcne.net). I would love to connect you with other churches. Let’s partner together to make a difference for God’s kingdom.
Sharon Haller serves as the BCNE Partnership Director. If you are interested in beginning a ministry partnership, contact Sharon at shaller@bcne.net.