Partnership Basics

African Proverb:  “If you want to go somewhere fast, go alone.  If you want to go somewhere far, go together.”

• Partnerships are a process and not an event

• There are four phases in the partnership process
  • Phase One: Exploration – Research needs, opportunities, and gaps.  Relationships – who is doing what, where, when, and how?  Exploring the question: What can we do better together than separate?
  • Phase Two: Formation – Organization of partnership.  Working off of common information.  Deciding on a common vision.  Deciding on what and how and by whom.  Usually made formal at a partnership consultation with all players attending.  Answering the question: What can we do better together than separate?
  • Phase Three: Operation - Doing ministry together.  Starting off small but building over time
  • Phase Four: Maturation – Expanding the vision.  Accomplishing more with greater impact.  Adding new partners
• Every partnership has three key elements: vision, relationship, and results
• Every partnership needs a facilitator or facilitating team
• Partnerships do the following
  • Glorify God more
  • Result in more efficiency, saving time and money
  • Focus on strengths
  • Have a greater impact
  • Provide more flexibility with increased opportunities and expanded resources
  • Reduce risk and thus have greater chances of success
  • Focus more on relationships and are process driven
  • Create “high leverage” opportunities for Kingdom building
  • Result in more focused prayer
• Partnerships can have different lengths
  • Short term partnerships: one to three months (usually one-time event orientation)
  • Medium term partnership: three months to two years
  • Long term partnership: two or more years

 

(Notes from City Vision Course – Exegeting the City)