Lasting, mutually satisfying and God-honouring partnerships are keys to the missions’ harvest. Knowing the face and the place are crucial first steps toward establishing a connection in the missions field. The first impression and careful preliminary observations will give the Missions Director a lot of clues as to the potential success of the relationship that is about to be formed.
Six crucial questions to ask before forming a partnership:
- Are we on the same page in terms of vision and ministry? If not, keep looking rather than settling with one that is bound for breakdown along the way.
- Are we comfortable with their Board, leadership team and organisational structure? Look for transparencies, accountability in their structure and men and women of integrity who serve in it.
- Are they honouring and taking care of the field workers? These signs are observable while visiting the workers on the ground.
- Are they just interested in the aggressive marketing of their ‘products and services’ without trying to understand our vision and philosophy of ministry? They are just looking for cash to plug some holes.
- Take in a big picture of their history as well as what they have in store for the future. In short, check their background and also their outlook of the future. Some are long on past success but short on plans for the future.
- And finally, is there a future for the partnership envisioned? Be honest, as, at times, short-term interest overwhelms our philosophy and convictions.
How far we move beyond the initial meetings will depend on the above six questions. There is also the consideration of the magnitude and depth of the partnership to be built. Some are one-off, while others may be short- mid- or long-term. These plans and potential relationships will form the basis of a budget.
Take time to build confidence and friendship. These go beyond the dollar and cents. The best way to build up the partnership will be doing a small pilot project together to gauge and build trust and working relationships. We will come to grips and reality of this partnership very quickly when we work together.
By working together on a pilot, we allow issues to surface and then determine if this working relationship is tenable or due to differences in vision, operational, leadership perspective, etc. it will not go far. Then finish the pilot on a high note and terminate the partnership and move on.
