Valuing Gospel Partnerships

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon … Peter looked straight at him, as did John. (Acts 3:1, 4)

There was this Christian organisation for whom I volunteered.

They would mention the partnerships they had with other organisations.  To a large extent those partnerships appeared to be fairly nominal and for convenience sake to ensure outsiders could see this Christian organisation did partnerships.

It reminded me of some church congregations I know that spoke of partnerships with churches in the geographical area.  Invitations would be given to events, and they would speak at the others’ event.  Beyond that though, the partnership was hardly a ringing endorsement of the unity of the Body.

In 2006 I came across my first experience of engaging in a gospel partnership.

It was a one to one relationship with another brother in Christ.  We shared the same mission, and as a result spent a lot of time together.  That time wasn’t just spent ‘doing’ the mission.  A substantial amount was spent getting to know each other, share each other’s hope and dreams. See each other at our worst and our best. Learn how to negotiate around our flaws and foibles. Develop an understanding and know how to appreciate each other.

There was plenty of disagreement.  We sought to limit this to conversations on our own, but such was the nature of our mission together, that onlookers might witness our contention.  More often than not it was done with a spirit of serving the other and highlighting something for the others’ benefit.

There were also times, however, where it got fractious and egos rose and proud stances were held and a barrier was temporarily raised.  Thankfully eventually we recognised our idiocy and immaturity for what it was and learnt to love each other again.

That was the key to the success of our gospel partnership.  We sought to love each other, because the heart of the mission we were on was to declare the love that sent Jesus to live, die and rise again to the right hand of God to allow those who believe to have the right to become the sons of God.

It remains a very vivid and special relationship to me.  That man remains one of the dearest friends in my life.  Doing gospel partnership with him, highlighted the need to recognise that the call to make disciples and share the gospel was not just an individual call – it was a corporate one. It was one just as importantly presented and practiced in relationships, as in a sole capacity.

I learnt so much from that relationship, and now in the church community I find myself in, although there are good relations with the brothers and sisters in christ, there is still a desire in me to forge gospel partnerships, or better still a gospel team concept.

This sees us expand fellowship and discipleship beyond church gatherings as they are known in limited circles.  Expand them to incorporate shared pursuits that can involve coming across those who are uet to know the gospel, and witness God’s love in aciton.

I am reminded of that scripture reference at the start of this entry.  Peter’s talking gets a lot of airplay, but the reality remains, he was with John.  John was with him.  They endured what happened together.

I am reminded of partnerships like Barnabas and Saul or Paul and Timothy as well as the gospel teams known to do missionary journeys in scripture. I am reminded that though Paul would appear to get the focus, he would acknowledge in his letters those in the teams he created who meant so much to him.

I am reminded of that and am assured again that those experiences I had from 2006 are meant to be the norm of Christian living.  They are truly iron sharpening iron in action.  I am all the sharper for it.

Yet I know I need to be sharper still – and will be in the light of those relationships.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden