Getting started can be the hardest part. There are so many opportunities. How do we assess our church’s interests? How do we decide with whom to partner? How do make sure everyone feels ownership? How do we get the whole congregation involved?
There are some excellent resources posted on The Network, including this article about getting started in partnerships.
In addition, the following staff are trained in leading churches through a facilitated discussion around partnerships:
Christian Reformed World Missions - Canada, Trish De Jong (tdejong@crcna.org) 800-730-3490
Christian Reformed World Missions - US, Steve Van Zanen (svanzanen@crcna.org) 800-346-0075
CRWRC – US, Wendy Hammond (whammond@crwrc.org) 800-552-7972
Give us a call, we’d be happy to point you in the right direction!
Below is a framework for thinking about the steps involved and general timeframes. Keep in mind that every situation is different and will be customized to your context and that of your partners.
Partnership Timeline
Groups involved: Missions Agency staff (office and field), North American church / group, church / community in Latin America, Africa or Asia
Some of these pieces may end up happening concurrently, or the order may be shifted, as it is adapted for each situation.
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Relationship Stage
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Goal / Purpose
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Activities
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People Involved
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Time Frame
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Explore Partnerships
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- Determine if a long term partnership is desired
- Determine if the various groups are ready and committed to the process
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- Explain what is meant by partnership
- Explore the North American church / group readiness to become engaged and the level of ownership and buy-in
- Missions agency field staff identify communities and churches ready / open to partnerships
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- Key Leaders in the North American church / group
- Missions Agency Staff in US/Cdn office and field
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3-6 months
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Decision Point 1: Agree to move ahead with due diligence and prayer
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Phase 1:
Initial Communication
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- Build ownership and support within both groups
- Introduction to each other and start to think about the relationship
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- Create and implement a plan for both groups to be inspired about the prospect of partnering. Prayer sought for deciding on a group with whom to partner.
- Exchange of profiles, pray for each other
- Basic expectations clarified
- Key organizing group identified in both groups
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- Key organizing group in both countries
- Missions Agency Staff: office and field
- Larger church / group / community in both countries
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3-6 months
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Visit from the North American church / group
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- Face to Face relationship building
- North Americans learn more about the other?s community and context, and about the Missions Agency
- Both groups learn about each other through photos and discussions
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- Pre-trip orientation for both groups including learning about the other?s culture
- Physical introductions
- Time spent building personal relationships
- Discussions on mutual values and goals, initial thoughts on partnership vision
- Visits to understand the country?s history, culture, and worldview, and the Missions Agency?s programs / ministry
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- North American visitors
- Missions Agency staff: office and field
- Language interpreters
- Host community
- ServiceLink / NA Volunteer office
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3 months preparation, 1-2 week trip
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| Dialogue |
- Deepening of relationship after having met each other
- Strengthen spiritual connection deepened
- Develop Understanding of partnership
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- Identify a person from each group to serve as the designated contact person
- Continued prayer and communication
- Each church / group / community to study and explore what it means to be Brothers & Sisters in Christ and share each other?s point of view
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- Key organizing group in both countries
- Contact person of both group
- Church / group / community in both countries
- MissionsAgencyStaff (communications)
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3-9 months
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Potential: Another visit by North American group
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- Deepening of relationship
- Discussions of way forward
- Visioning for and identification of ministry priorities
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- North American key organizing group return to partnering community
- Identification of strengths, resources (intellectual, spiritual, emotional, financial, etc.) and dreams
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- Key organizing group of both countries
- MissionsAgencyStaff (organization)
- Host community
- ServiceLink / NA Volunteer office
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3 months preparation, 1 week trip
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Decision point 2: Agreement to form a partnership
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Continued dialogue and formal Partnership
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- Clarification of way forward together
- Formalize partnership in writing with full understanding by all
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- Partnership agreement made: vision, expectations, accountability, sustainability, advocacy etc.
- Begin development of an action plan.
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- Key Leaders from both groups
- Missions Agency Staff: office and field (consultant for partnership agreement, broker action plan development )
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1-2 years after initial communication
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Phase 2:
Sharing of intellectual, spiritual, emotional, financial, etc. resources
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- Supporting each other and sharing ideas, resources and encouragement in a guided way.
- Explore how each can nurture and expand the other?s ministry
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- Plans made for sharing of resources and continued communication (with focus on two way giving/receiving)
- Plans carried out with transparency
- Possibly sending ministry focused / specialized individuals or teams, internships, etc.
- Continue learning goals for both organizing groups, and larger church / group / community
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- Key organizing group of both countries
- Co-operation of larger church / group / community in both countries
- Missions Agency: office and field to advise
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Years 2 and ongoing
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Phase 3:
Continuation and evaluation
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- Sustainable relationship that continues to develop in a healthy way.
- Evaluations will uncover any problems that need to be dealt with.
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- Yearly evaluations of expectations and status of partnership
- Continued learning and deepening of relationship including more possible exchanges of ideas, resources and visits.
- Celebrations of the work God is doing in both places
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- Key Leaders of both groups
- Continued involvement of both congregations
- Missions Agency: office and field available for consultation and advice as needed
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Years 2-3 and ongoing
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version 1: Rena Dam, 2007, version 2: Trish De Jong, Oct 2008, version 3: Crystle Numan, Dec 2008
