Partnering with others

How do we work with other partners in our community, other churches, government agencies, or other civil society organizations to serve those around us?

The goal of partnerships is to achieve more than individual organizations can achieve on their own. In other words, the whole of the partnership adds more than the sum of the individual parts. Bear in mind that the partnership should not be the end in and of itself, but a means to an end. Therefore, setting up a partnership may not always be the most appropriate decision.

For that reason, the local church should be active in starting initiatives to address the problem of the people in their own area. Local congregations cannot wait; they should start with the talents they have. The main principles of this approach are to start with what we have and not wait for help and to start with small things. When they start with small things, and see the work becoming big, excitement grows. Sometimes it helps to have a partner to work together with.

A partnership recognizes that both sides must be involved in defining the terms of the relationship. In a partnership, the partner cannot prescribe the terms of the relationship in their way and of their choice only. While the members of a partnership development certainly have strong interests in common, they are likely to have some diverse needs. We also need to know this in the forming of a partnership. There are three essential steps to making sure you get your partnership off to a successful start:

1. Defining the need for a partnership

2. Starting the process

3. Setting up and maintaining the partnership.

Christianity is composed of hundreds of denominations and traditions. Christian churches share the values of love, equality and justice, peace and service, and we are potential promoters of change. We should work together with different denominations, especially in the development of our communities – a common witness of the Christian churches. We live in same city and one society in that city or village, so we should work together for development. The Church has to respond to the needs of the people in each society through the “Use Your Talents” approach to development. In our experience, the different churches can work together, especially for the social life of the people. For instance, when the cyclone “Danie” attacked Madagascar in 1965, the different Christian churches worked together to solve problems at that time. For that reason, we have had practice having partnerships with the different churches, such as Catholic Church, Reformed, and Lutheran Church through the “Use Your Talents” approach. So, partnership between different churches should use this small guide:

 Start discussions on development and “Use Your Talents” approach

 Apply strategies, methodologies and tools for education, dealing with the “Use Your Talents” approach.

 Mobilize churches to action for the challenges which are the precise work needed in their own society (for example: road renovation or security problems)

 Advocate for the societal problems in their own context

Christian members should take initiative to address one project which responds to society’s problems. Often it is beneficial to cooperate with local authorities when that project cannot be accomplished by the different local churches alone. But even if it is a cooperation between churches, you should have an agreement.

READ PSALMS 82: 2-5

2 He says, “How long will you stand up for those who aren’t fair to others? How long will you show mercy to sinful people?

3 Stand up for the weak and for children whose fathers have died. Protect the rights of people who are poor or treated badly.

4 Save those who are weak and needy. Save them from the power of sinful people.

5 “You leaders don’t know anything. You don’t understand anything. You are in the dark about what is right. Law and order have been destroyed all over the world.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to see the resources You have given us to meet the needs of the community. May we find partners with whom we can collaborate to “Stand up for the weak.” Holy Spirit, give us insight and wisdom to work together with others to be a beacon of light and hope in the world. We worship You. Amen.

DISCUSSION:

1. What are your thoughts after having read Psalm 82?

2. How do we work with other partners in our community, other churches, government agencies, or other civil society organizations to serve those around us?

3. In what ways can we partner with others in our community?

4. Were you inspired to try to find new partners to serve your community? Who would you like start to cooperate with?

F Ms. Toremare Mananato – Assistant General Secretary in the Malagasy Lutheran Church