I asked my kids what they think the word “partnership” means, and one of them said, “I think it means being on the same team.” I love that answer. Rolling up your sleeves to join the work with others who share the same mission, vision, and values is what Covenant Partnership is all about.
There is much that could be said about this topic, but for the sake of this article, let me just give three points for what Covenant Partnership is and why it matters:
1. Partnership Means Community.
More than just attending church on the weekends, God calls us into a community to use our unique gifts and abilities in ways that complement the rest of the church. Romans 12:4-5 says, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”
I love that vivid picture. If you found an ear, a hand, or any other individual body part hanging out by itself, you wouldn’t think, “That’s normal.” You’d think, “I’m having a nightmare!” Why, then, would we think differently about the local church–the bride and body of Christ?
Partnership is a formal way of saying, “I belong to those who make up this body, and we all belong to Jesus.”
2. Partnership Means Commitment.
While no chapter and verse describes how commitment in a local church is measured and accounted for, the author of Hebrews implies that there is a formal commitment. “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
Imagine showing up to a basketball game and expecting the coach to put you in the game because you suddenly claim, “This is my team.” If you actually wanted to be on the team, you’d need to know the qualifications and expectations of being on a team and walk through the process of joining like anyone else. In the same way coaches are responsible for developing their players who have committed to their team, pastors are responsible for spiritually caring for the Christians who have committed to the same local church.
3. Partnership Means Sharing.
Partnership means we all belong in the same covenant community and share our resources to accomplish the same Gospel mission.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” Acts 2:42-47.
This is a powerful passage that shows us many things about belonging to the local church as a Partner. Still, one thing is clear–the church should function like a big family that shares everything in order to accomplish the same mission of seeing those who are far from Christ come to know Him.
There are no “lone ranger” Christians. God has called us to belong to Himself and to other believers in a local church. If you are looking to commit to being a Partner or desire to learn more about Partnership at CrossPoint, your next step would be to attend Preview Class.
Learn more here!