The Power Of Partnership

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By Jerry Cooper

"If a person dreams alone, it remains nothing but a dream. But when a people dream together, that dream can become a reality." African proverb

Americans tend to be a fairly independent lot. For most of us that is reinforced by much of life. Individual achievement and strong competition is rewarded with good grades, promotions and recognition. Unfortunately, for too long that perspective carried over into our spiritual lives as well.

Christians, ministries, churches, denominations, and even missionaries on the field, have too often competed for members, money, power and prestige. We all know these temptations, yet we also know it should not be this way. Our attitudes have frustrated our dreams and God's intentions. But by God's grace, things are changing, locally and globally!

There is currently a movement to build a regional partnership of churches for the purpose of transforming Baltimore for God's glory. There are partnerships developing around the nation between churches committed to reaching specific people groups with the gospel of Christ, like the one we are forming to reach the (deleted-group-name) people of Burma/Myanmar.

Biblical partnership is a divine strategy whose time has come. It is taught in scripture from Genesis through Revelation, but it seems that only recently have we finally been able to hear it and believe it, and we are now learning how to live it. This partnership is not optional. It is what we were created for, and Jesus reveals that it is the only way Central can achieve its mission of "Moving people toward Christ" (see John 17:20-23).

Central is involved in a number of partnerships. We partner with local churches and ministries, local and international missionaries and organizations, and churches in other states and other countries. The purposes for these relationships are varied, ranging from evangelism and help for the poor, to racial reconciliation and renewal of our denomination.

Because of this, "The Power of Partnership" is the theme of this year's Missions Celebration, October 21st-28th, 2001

Our guest preacher for October 21st 2001, is Rev. Mark Snelling of Interdev, one of our supported ministries. Interdev is a catalyst for the formation of strategic partnerships around the globe for the evangelization of peoples, countries and regions. Some of the most exciting developments in missions today have come about through the vision and hard work of this ministry. Rev. Snelling speaks and consults on partnership in churches around the US. He was a Presbyterian pastor for 25 years and is a member of the national pastors covenant group with our former pastor, Ron Scates.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

For more information on the Missions Celebration,
see Current Events: Missions Celebration 2001.