In our relationships with SBC and State Convention entities, Associational Leaders hear a lot about partnerships – how associations are partners in ministry with them. We are partners, and we want to be good partners, but sometimes it seems like a one-way street.
A State DOM called me a few months ago asking for ways he and his state convention could better serve their DOMs. Among other things, I told him promotion is not partnership. For SBC and State Convention entities to look to Associational Leaders to promote what they have going on is not partnership. He said that was eye opening to him.
I believe too often an entity leader comes up with a plan or program, and then he wants us to “partner” with him to the extent that we do what he asks us to do. How much better it would be if he would seek our input and advice on the front end of the decision-making process so that we are truly partners with him and his entity. In the latter scenario, Associational Leaders would truly be partners in ministry, would have ownership, input, and much more incentive to not only participate, but to both participate and promote the idea as full partners in the process.
Synonyms for the word partner include associate, colleague, cohort, equal. Those words describe a healthy partnership in ministry.
Of course, we as Associational Leaders need to be ready, willing, and able to carry our share of the load, and to offer wise advice with a sweet spirit. Otherwise, we shoot ourselves in the foot and entities will not want to partner with us because we have a chip on our shoulder, a bad attitude, or we are not perceived as an effective leader pursuing excellence in our ministry.
Are you a good partner when asked to be one by a convention entity leader? Even if we have not been asked for our advice on the front end, if the task/program we are being asked to promote is valid and good for our churches and for the Kingdom, we should not let pride or anything else keep us from being good partners, as much as it depends on us.
What are your thoughts?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: A leader connects, cares, and adds value. He never leaves the table without seeking to have made a positive contribution. Dan Reiland, Amplified Leadership, p. 11
I believe too often an entity leader comes up with a plan or program, and then he wants us to “partner” with him to the extent that we do what he asks us to do. How much better it would be if he would seek our input and advice on the front end of the decision-making process so that we are truly partners with him and his entity. In the latter scenario, Associational Leaders would truly be partners in ministry, would have ownership, input, and much more incentive to not only participate, but to both participate and promote the idea as full partners in the process.
Synonyms for the word partner include associate, colleague, cohort, equal. Those words describe a healthy partnership in ministry.
Of course, we as Associational Leaders need to be ready, willing, and able to carry our share of the load, and to offer wise advice with a sweet spirit. Otherwise, we shoot ourselves in the foot and entities will not want to partner with us because we have a chip on our shoulder, a bad attitude, or we are not perceived as an effective leader pursuing excellence in our ministry.
Are you a good partner when asked to be one by a convention entity leader? Even if we have not been asked for our advice on the front end, if the task/program we are being asked to promote is valid and good for our churches and for the Kingdom, we should not let pride or anything else keep us from being good partners, as much as it depends on us.
What are your thoughts?
To the praise of His glory,
Ray
Pr. 3:5-6
Quotable Quote: A leader connects, cares, and adds value. He never leaves the table without seeking to have made a positive contribution. Dan Reiland, Amplified Leadership, p. 11
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