Considering Strategic Partnerships

The Benefit of Partnership

 

Philippians 1:3-7
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

 

Premise

We understand from Scripture that Christians are to be partnered with other believers to pursue the maximum testimony and spread of the gospel. However, despite this clear Scriptural precedent and priority, it is easy for congregations to remain overly insular and independent, just as it is for us as individuals.  In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul addresses the danger of a spirit of self-sufficiency.  In contrast, he expresses the potential for productivity that only comes when Christians rely on one another and work together in harmony.  At Cornerstone we want to see that potential realized in the fullest measure.

 

Background

Since the formal ending of the Great Commission Church organizational structure in 2020, Cornerstone has been seeking the Lord’s wisdom on what partnerships with other churches would be most beneficial for the sake of the Kingdom.

 

What Benefit does Partnership Provide?

Uniting with churches beyond the single local church is important for numerous reasons. Here are some.

1) Displaying the unity of Christ on a larger scale (John 17)

2) Broader outreach impact through partnership and shared resources

3) Increased opportunities for leadership development and discipleship training through broader input and shared resources

4) Increased accountability for pastors and church doctrine and practice

5) Encouragement and equipping for church leaders

6) Expanded resources for handling special needs

7) An expanded network of relationships for fellowship, counsel, and comfort

8) Increased credibility in our culture, compared to being a “lone island” church

(1 Timothy 3:7, 1 Peter 2:12)

 

What Partnership are we Considering?

Up until now, Cornerstone has continued in relationship and communication with several other former GCC in the general geographical region.  However, as pastors we have determined that the potential for maximizing ministry fruitfulness in the ways outlined above is not being sufficiently realized through this partnership alone.  We value these long-time relationships, but want to look long-term at what will promote the greatest health to the church, and impact for the Kingdom of God.

After exploring various options, we are considering partnership in some ways with the Southern Baptist Convention as one that could maximize the goals and benefits outlined above. More specifically, we are looking to connect in some ways with the Kansas City Kansas Baptist Association Churches.

 

Why them?

• The SBC has a very strong emphasis on fulfilling the Great Commission.
• At the same time, they give individual churches full autonomy in local leadership and church practice.  This means that Cornerstone would be free ti retain its spiritual DNA and any healthy distinctives we have as a church.
• The SBC has a statement of faith that is sound, but broad enough to be agreed upon by a wide variety of churches that can work together.
• While many denominations in the United States have strayed from Orthodox Christian belief, the SBC is still committed to the infallibility of Scripture, and the historical Christian faith as delivered by Christ and the apostles.
• They have a wide array of resources dedicated to supporting congregations, supporting missionaries and church-planters, and providing care for those in crisis through natural disaster.

With any group as large as the SBC, there will be churches and individuals who we do not believe represent Christ well in one area or another, and who we would prefer not to be associated with.  (This is also true of the universal body of Christ.)  However, there is a strong local group of pastors and churches in the area that we see strong potential benefit from being associated with.  The local Midwestern Baptist Seminary is a Biblically conservative and orthodox institution that hosts excellent conferences, open to all pastors and church members, that could greatly benefit us as a church. A good number of former GCC pastors we know have decided to partner with SBC, and have reported strong benefits from their new partnership.

 

What Difference Will it Make?

For many in the church, there may be no noticeable difference in their experience of membership and church life at Cornerstone.  For others, there will be new avenues for leadership equipping and ministry partnership.  The biggest difference will likely be for the pastors, in their ongoing pursuit ministry training and equipping for fruitfulness. More broadly, because there are so many SBC churches in the area, we will have discretion to discern which ones are most similar in their doctrine, philosophy of ministry, and practices, such that partnership with those leaders or congregations could be most strategic.

In summary, this would be an opportunity to share the riches God has given to Cornerstone with the wider body of Christ, and to avail ourselves more fully of riches God has given to the wider body of Christ, all for the sake of advancing the Kingdom.

 

What’s Next?

The Cornerstone pastors have been continuing to pray for wisdom and explore the options available for strategic partnership.  A key step for us is to explain our thinking to other leaders at Cornerstone, and the rest of the church, inviting input on the matter.  While the church is Elder-led (based on our understanding of the New Testament pattern), we invite and value the input of other leaders and members.  We believe it can be a key means of God’s wisdom and leading for us.