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선교소식 > 선교정보 |
등록일 |
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2011-03-10 |
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관리자 (admin) |
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| HOW TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP |
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| The Partnership Process: E – F – O |
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The Partnership Process: E – F – O
Having seen many partnerships among ministries emerge
as long-term, effective strategies (along with a few
significant failures along the way!), it is clear that durable
partnerships usually go through several phases. Whether
you have a vision for your community, city, special interest
group (immigrants, homeless, athletes, kids, etc.), or
overseas language group with no effective witness for
Christ, the phases are essentially the same.
The Biblical Foundation
The starting point is the Biblical foundation and this has to do with the
theology of partnership. This points to the "internal" characteristics of the
very nature and character of God, as well as the "external" characteristics
of how God works in the world and in the lives of individual people. God
himself is in relationship. God desires relationship with people. And God's
mission in the world is all about the restoration of relationships.
The partnership process is so simple that it can be easily
explained in graphic format on the back of a napkin ...
Now some would argue that the relational nature and character of God
does not necessarily mean that we always have to work together in
ministry. However, looking at the narrative of the Scriptures, it seems that
in the practice of the early churches, those who were in community
together were also on mission together.
Community and Cause were inseparable. To embrace
Jesus was also to embrace the mission of Jesus.
Paul commends the Thessalonian church in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 saying,
"We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced
by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by
hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." He later says in the same chapter that the
Thessalonians became "a model for all the believers" and that their faith
had "become known everywhere."
In this text, the words faith, love, and hope are paired with the words work,
labor, and endurance. The spiritual community was also an active force.
It was something they did together, and not just them, but together with
many other churches.
This practical outworking then points to the other
foundational aspect of partnership theology, that God
works in the lives of people through a process of change
and commitment, and that many times, different people are
involved at each point of the process.
Jesus spoke directly about the process of "sowing" and "reaping" (John
4:35-38), and the Apostles also clearly understood that their own
ministries touched people's lives in different ways at different points (1
Corinthians 3:4-9).
Vital Commitments
This level in building a partnership has to do with the "behind-the-scenes"
aspects of vision, prayer, and process. In order to work well, the
partners in a collaborative initiative have to be committed to a big vision
that is larger than any one agency or individual. They have to be
committed to continual prayer that seeks the direction of God in
everything. And they have to be committed to the knowledge that effective
partnership is an on-going process (not an event).
For example, this process is much like the building of a skyscraper. For
months and months, the construction site looks like just a big hole in the
ground. And then it seems that the whole building structure suddenly
"appears" in a very short time. The point is that the bigger your vision, the
more important your foundation. If you have a big dream, you might have
to dig a big hole. The remarkable thing is that by the time the planning,
design, and foundation work of a skyscraper is done, the whole building
process is 60% complete! Most of the work was simply "invisible" to those
who walk by the construction site on their way to school or work every day.
The “E – F – O” Process of Partnership
Briefly, the process of partnership can be summarized in three points ...
Exploration: The investment of time and energy you make in
identifying the potential partners and exploring their vision, interest,
and readiness to at least prayerfully talk about collaboration.
Formation: The critical, “go/no-go” phase in partnership development.
It’s when potential partner ministries say, “We agree, the only way we
can accomplish this vision is by working together.” Or they say, “At
least for now, we don’t think so.”
Operation: The phase in partnership development at which talk turns
to action. Goals are set, roles defined, timelines and the basis for
monitoring and evaluation agreed upon. Once there is consensus on
the vision and the core plan, the emerging partnership moves forward.
** Remember: partnerships are a process, not an event. If
you give each phase the time and energy it deserves,
you are on the path to a rewarding experience. If you
expect this to happen overnight, you are headed for big
disappointments! Here is more detail on each phase of
the process, along with specific
Phase 1: Exploration
An effective, durable strategic partnership requires identifying potential
partners, establishing trusting relationships, coming to consensus on the
vision, identifying key action elements and responsibilities, seeing initial
objectives achieved, and then moving on to realize the more complete vision.
A facilitator or facilitation team needs to be identified, trained, and coached.
Developing effective partnerships takes time. See effective partnership
development as a process, not an event, and you've taken a big
step toward seeing your dream come true.
In the vital exploration phase of partnership development a lot of
time is spent holding one-on-one meetings. In those meetings you
will be asking questions and listening, expanding your
personal base of information, multiplying relationships, and
broadening your understanding about the realities of the project and
the perceptions of others.
Keep in mind that an individual's perceptions are usually
his or her reality even though these perceptions may be quite different
from yours!
During this phase you'll also need to identify who will serve as the
partnership's facilitator or facilitation team. You may be that person. Or
you may be instrumental in finding them. It's extremely helpful for the
longer-term facilitator to be involved in these early stages: meeting the
people, getting a good sense of the issues, and helping design the
process.
In any case, the facilitator(s) must be patient, tenacious, and committed to
the vision. They need to demonstrate the spirit of a servant as they bring
the partnership to life and keeping the fires burning. This "honest broker"
must be a person of integrity who will keep on despite all discouragement.
The facilitator is prophet, servant, and resource person who must be
trained, nurtured, and encouraged.
There are a number of key action points at this stage that will move you
in the right direction. Here are some of the essentials:
• Make sure your prayer support team is in place, informed, and
focused on what you all feel God wants to do by helping His people
work together. Remember, Satan does not want unity among
believers. He is not too concerned about those who just talk about
it. But, the stakes really go up when you begin to take action that
might actually result in more effective, credible, joint efforts!
• Identify everyone you can who is currently involved or actively
thinking about involvement in the issue you're thinking about. You
want to identify all the relevant ministries, leaders, and resources.
• Identify the potential partnership facilitator or form the facilitation
team. It's vital the facilitator (or team) is involved in these early
stages and gets the needed training for this core role.
• Identify who are considered to be the most significant players in this
field – significant because of their knowledge or experience, their
influence, their history, or their capacity.
• Enlarge your own network of relationships with these people.
• Listen with respect, interest, and care to the people you meet and
interview, expanding your knowledge, understanding, and
awareness of the various perceptions related to the challenge
you're considering.
• Identify what others think about the current situation, what they
think about the relevance of current activity, what they see as the
priority needs, and what they feel are the greatest roadblocks to
addressing these needs.
• Based on this information, make a yes/no decision on moving forward.
Phase 2: Formation
This is the critical, "go/no-go" phase in the life of
partnership development. It's when potential partner
ministries say, "We agree, the only way we can accomplish
this vision is by working together." Or, a time when they
say, "At least for now, we don't think so."
You can know in advance what is most important to give your partnership
the best chance of being launched on solid ground – and with realistic,
positive expectations.
In the Exploration phase we have just covered, you will have developed
information and relationships that are invaluable. You're poised for the big
next step: "Will they or won't they?" It can be a heart-stopper. The process
of partnership can also be tremendously rewarding, both for the facilitator
and for the participating people.
Building on the information and relationships you developed in your
Exploration efforts, you're now at the key "go/no-go" phase.
There are a number of factors that will help you achieve a successful
launch for your partnership (see graphic on page 47). Here are some of
the essentials:
• Enough of the "influentials" are in your initial face to face
discussion. You don't need everyone, but you do need enough of
the people or ministries with high credibility to bring that same
credibility into the partnership formation process.
• Everyone clearly understands what the objectives and expectations
are for the first round of discussions. If everyone knows the
agenda and has had a chance to participate in or comment on it,
the trust factor goes up and your likelihood of success as well.
• Your initial meeting/discussion time is long enough to allow you to
develop a common information and relational base among
participants. Trying to cut corners for busy people will return to
haunt you!
• In the process of preparing for and holding your initial partnership
formation meeting, the building of Trust is critical. As you build
"equity" in your "trust account" it will greatly strengthen your ability
to serve and facilitate the new partnership. And, word will spread
that the partnership and its leadership have integrity.
• You have kept the big vision before everyone. There has been
agreement on that. But, you and the others have identified and
agreed on limited, achievable near- to medium-term objectives that
are the important, initial steps toward achieving that big vision.
Those initial objectives meet two key criteria: (1) everyone knows
that they are something God wants done – that is, they are
Kingdom objectives, not private ones; and (2) Each participant can
see how achieving those objectives support their own ministry’s
vision and goals.
• Careful planning and facilitating of this initial face-to-face meeting is
vital. Don't leave the plans or execution to chance or the last
minute. Planning pays off – BIG!
• Before you get to the vital, "go/no" question, make sure the majority
of your participants have at least general agreement on (1) the
specifics of the challenge – clearly articulated and understood,
(2) the history of the challenge you're addressing, (3) the key
factors that currently affect the challenge, (4) the roadblocks
standing in the way of a breakthrough, and (5) if they and others
worked together on the challenge, what one or two action points or
changes would have the greatest impact?
• All your participants have gotten to know each other much better
than when they walked in the door and, so, should trust each other
more!
Phase 3: Operation
So, the groups that you have worked so hard to assemble have taken that
big, first step; they've said, "Yes, we want to work together on this
challenge rather than go it alone." But, to get any real, lasting results, a
partnership or network not only has to come together, it has to stay
together.
Congratulations if you have worked your way through the Exploration
and Formation stages of your partnership or network. To get this far is a
real challenge: spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. It also provides a
real test of your commitment to the vision God has put in your heart –
whatever that may be.
If your group has said "Yes" to moving forward, you have every right to be
thankful and heave that sigh of relief. Effective partnership or network
facilitation is hard work – no matter how valuable the vision or goal. Those
who have worked with you, those who have prayed for you and the
process, and those who have taken part in the Formation process have all
made a commitment. But, time to relax? Probably not just yet!
Now you need early successes. The important but limited/achievable
objective(s) that your group set as their first priority must be achieved. All
of the action priorities in the next section need to be focused on this. If the
group senses that coming together in the partnership or network has really
demonstrated its value, they will be encouraged, will continue to
participate – possibly even more enthusiastically – and will be ready to
consider more significant objectives. If the group fails to meet its initial
objectives it will reinforce a commonly held view that Kingdom
collaboration really isn't practical or doesn't work, disappointment will be
high, and it will be doubly hard to revive their interest.
Frequently in new networks or partnerships the long-term vision requires
that you put a structure, or facilities, or a team in place in order to be able
to implement the core vision.
This means that it's important that we "unpack" the process of what our
vision will ultimately require and identify those elements in our plan.
Those pieces can be key milestones for our network or partnership,
helping us identify success or suggesting course corrections we need to
make.
By defining the important steps that will be involved in getting to our
ultimate goal we are developing a "road map" for the vision. Road maps
are important. They point to the destination, they help everyone see what
the main points are along the way – which route we will take – and they
give us points to measure our progress. If this road map is in place, the
points become markers that everyone involved can see. They become
points around which our mutual expectations and communications can
occur.
Don't get too complex but develop a road map that contains the main
points that everyone can understand. Some prefer a simple list – putting
the steps in order with, possibly, dates for completion alongside the main
points. Others prefer a horizontal timetable with key action points, dates,
and persons responsible identified. The main point is to help everyone
understand how you plan to move forward – and, who does what, when.
This is also vital in helping you define success along the
way and to be able to celebrate your progress.
In moving to the operational phase of a partnership or network it is often
easy to be totally engrossed just getting the key elements of the
collaboration in place. Once you have moved into the active program
phase of operations – the real reason you came together in the first place
– it is important to keep all eyes focused on the primary goal(s): changed
lives or the other primary objectives you had in mind from the beginning.
Here is a checklist of things you should be looking for as your group
moves forward. They're all signs that you're making progress. You don't
have to see them all happening at the same time but keep them in mind
as signs of health and growing maturity:
• Clear agreement on short- and medium-term objectives
• Clear understanding and agreement on what constitutes "success"
for each of those objectives.
• Clear understanding of the timetable/schedule
• Well defined, understood roles of who is doing what
• Communications expectations defined and responsibilities in place
• Growing sense of ownership/vision/commitment by partner
agencies
• Identification/availability of additional priority resources needed for
the effort
• Evaluation/monitoring/reporting-feedback system in place and
working effectively
• Participants organizing into functional working groups to meet
specialized tasks/objectives
• Individuals emerging to share partnership/working group
leadership roles
• Growing trust and openness among partner agencies
• Effective documentation program operational
• Balance of participants and resources (church, para-church, ethnicity, etc.)
The Big Picture
The principles outlined in this field guide can be applied in diverse
contexts in a rapidly changing world. The point of this part of the picture is
to say that no matter what your context of partnership, there are some
consistent themes in the bigger picture that hold everything together, like
the rafters of a roof or the capstone of a building arch.
The first theme is the expressed desire of Jesus that his disciples would
be people of unity who work together "so that the world may
believe" (John 17:20-21). It was the assumption of Jesus that his
message of forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption would be
accompanied by the practical demonstration of restored relationships.
Jesus reinforced this desire through his explicit commands to love one
another and to make disciples of all the peoples of the earth - what some
refer to as the Great Command (Luke 10) and the Great Commission
(Matthew 28). Jesus expected that his followers would live in loving
community and he even emphasized that by saying that he was giving a
"new command" to his followers. He told them to "love one another,"
which was of course nothing new and was already the pre-eminent
command of divine revelation. But then he added the words, "as I have
loved you," making this a whole new understanding of the "royal law" of
love (John 13:34).
Another way of looking at it is like the North/South poles of a magnet.
They are always there in tension with each other. But when you spin a
magnet inside a coil of wire, it generates electricity. Likewise, the tension
we sometimes feel between the side of love/community/relationship and
the side of mission/cause/task can actually generate the energy a
partnership needs to move forward. Neither side can be ignored, or else
the whole thing collapses. When held together, something beautiful can
be built.
And then, what should be familiar to all followers of Jesus, is the great
commission Jesus gave before ascending again to heaven - his command
to go and "make disciples" of all the peoples of the earth (Matthew
28:18-20).
These two aspects of community (love) and cause (mission) press against
each other like the rafters of a roof. Sometimes teams, churches, and
partnerships feel the tension between these two sides - between the
"relationships" and the "task" - and we often polarize on one side or the
other to relieve the tension. But the tension is important because it holds
everything together. You cannot have just one or the other.
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