Category Archives: Article

What is your collaboration quotient?

What is your collaboration quotient?

Collaboration is the future of world mission. Nothing significant will happen among the unreached without greater collaboration among Christian leaders, churches, and mission organizations. We recently learned about an unusual mathematician who can teach us a lot about the value of collaboration. His name is Paul Erdős …   

4 Keys To Keeping Network Leaders Moving

This collection of best practices addresses the leadership challenge of how to keep a growing network moving and its leaders engaged and fulfilling their commitments. Drawn from the Synergy Commons Peer Learning Cohorts, this document offers four key strategies and over 30 field-tested ideas network leaders can use in their own networks…   

Better Together? The mutual benefit between churches and networks

Better Together?

There is a huge disconnect between local churches and mission networks. Many international mission networks primarily involve representatives of mission agencies. Few networks proactively and strategically involve local churches. An excellent article by Ellen Livingood of Catalyst Services offers some valuable advice for network leaders, church leaders, and denomination / mission agency leaders on the mutual benefit of involving local churches in mission networks…  

Mission Networks: Connecting the Global Church

Mission Networks - Connecting the Global Church

In our interconnected and globalized world, mission networks are playing an increasingly important role in shaping Great Commission strategies. Through networks, ministry leaders from around the world are connecting with others of similar vision to collectively address some of the greatest mission challenges and opportunities in the world today. Like never before in history, God is uniting his Church to reach the unreached. Those actively participating in networks are moving beyond talk about collaboration to real action with others who share a similar mission vision. Participation in networks is becoming a high priority for many mission leaders and organizations, resulting in significant benefits to them and to the cause of Christ worldwide…  

Networks & Partnerships

In a time when so much is being said about ‘networks’ and ‘partnerships,’ what do we really mean? Knowing what form of collaboration is most relevant to the challenge we are trying to address can be critical. Are partnerships and networks really the same? If they’re different, so what? The answer is that, no, they are not the same. And, yes, understanding their differences, their strengths and weaknesses, can have a real impact on what you do and how you do it, and can save time, energy, and frustration!

30 Years, 30 Insights

Success or Failure?

For nearly 30 years, I and numerous colleagues have been developing mission partnerships around the world. Here are 30 insights that we have drawn out of our successes and failures. May these lessons learned help you in your own journey.

Are You a Network Owner or a Network Steward?

Servant Leader

Those who step into leadership of an interorganizational network or partnership assume a high task. Whether serving on a network’s council or steering committee or its leadership team, whatever the terminology, these leaders are called to help God’s people work together successfully!

What Does the Bible Say About Partnership?

Bible Study

This is an attempt to do a biblical study of the word partnership and its derivatives (“partner,” “partners,” and “partnership”) from four predominant English versions of the Bible … Since biblical partnership is a concept broader than the specific application of vocational ministry, e.g., mission partnerships, I will seek to allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves on a broader basis (admittedly through my own personal grid), and then attempt to draw some theological and missiological implications from these observations.

Called to Collaborate

Collaboration

There is a new spirit of collaboration emerging in the 21st century as opportunities for the advancement of the gospel multiply. Recognizing the enormous need for our Lord’s ministries of forgiveness, reconciliation, hope, and peace, some Christian leaders are overcoming historical rivalries and conceptual differences by working together to see God’s purposes accomplished in their generation.