Texas Baptists…and Texas Partnerships
Texas Baptists are all about missions. That’s why the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) has a solid focus on providing mission opportunities in virtually every corner of the world. We locate areas where we feel Baptists need a more prominent voice, such as in New England and Minnesota/Wisconsin within the USA, or in international locations like Venezuela, Nigeria and Ukraine. We then create partnerships with local Baptist bodies to… Read More
The Value of Partnership
Take what happened in Kayes, West Africa in February 1994. I was facilitating a small meeting of twenty people from six organizations, all involved in Christian outreach to the Soninké people. They were exploring the possibility of forming a partnership to coordinate their efforts. As each individual shared with the group the nature of the work they were involved in, it became apparent that three different people of different nationalities… Read More
15 Principles for Effective Partnership in Mission
Partnership comes straight from the heart of God. Working in partnership reflects the unity we see between God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit since before the creation of the world. Partnership is one important way in which the unity of the Body of Christ is demonstrated to the world. Therefore partnership development is a profoundly spiritual activity. It must be conducted according to the Word of God.… Read More
Partnering in Action
Mark 2: 1-12 One of the most engaging examples of partnership in action is the account of the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2. Jesus was in Capernaum. Such a large crowd gathered to hear him teach that it was impossible for the friends of a paralyzed man to carry him into the house where the Healer was. So they carried him up on the roof, dug a hole… Read More
FAQs about Partnerships for Mission
What is it that Partnerships for Mission actually “do?” Partnerships provide an active, working forum in which ministries can coordinate their plans and resources and develop a common strategy for a geographic region, demographic area, or function. Usually partnerships start with limited but highly strategic projects allow the ministries to actually work together while all other ministries benefit from that cooperation. As the partnership grows in maturity, task forces or… Read More
What are some of the reasons that partnerships can fail?
Poor relationships. Attempting to do too much too soon. Lack of a facilitator or one with poor skills. The focus drifts from the vision and outcomes to developing the structure and organization. Overemphasis on differences and the perceived need to write a statement of faith or other constitutional documents. Not putting concrete action plans together so that goals can be achieved. Vision is not enough to sustain a partnership over time. Read More
Interdev Partnership Associates (IPA)
In November 2003, the Board of Trustees of Interdev announced it was passing the baton of partnership development ministry to Interdev Partnership Associates (IPA). IPA was birthed as an international partnership of field-based regional partnership practitioners. IPA currently consists of over 30 associates, situated on all continents, serving all the world’s major mission regions. IPA continues to facilitate and develop partnering as a key strategy to bring the Gospel to… Read More