Others have said:

What successful partnerships :Marriages, business ventures, bands, song writers, midfielders, when partners bring different skills to the venture.

Why partnerships work well: humility, listening and understanding the other, keeping it simple, share a very strong vision together, having time for honest conversations, expect some conflict will need to be resolved and not be surprised by this.

We all know what it is like to see a job so big that it overwhelms us. We feel paralysed to move forward. There is strength in numbers when we gather other people and organisations round us who love sport and Jesus. New ideas can be birthed. We start to imagine new ways together. 

Dive Deeper

Together We Rise: The Power of Partnership in Fulfilling the Great Commission

The Great Commission is a monumental task, but fear not! We'll explore the power of partnership, the key to achieving our shared goals.

Why Partner? Stronger Together

Fulfilling the Great Commission is simply too big for any one person or team. We need each other! Partnering empowers us to:

• Amplify Our Impact: Together, we accomplish more than we ever could alone. We provide essential support and encouragement to one another, fueling our collective efforts.
• Embrace God's Design: Unity is at the heart of God's plan. Jesus Himself prayed for our unity (John 17:20-23), mirroring the psalmist's declaration of the beauty of unity in God's eyes (Psalm 133). Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 further emphasizes the strength found in working together, just like a cord of three strands.

The Keys to Effective Partnership

Building a strong partnership requires two foundational elements:

• Mutual Submission: Partners submit to one another, prioritizing the team's success over personal agendas. (Ephesians 5:21, Philippians 2:3-4)
• Persevering Through Challenges: Conflict and difficulties are inevitable. However, by persevering through them (James 1:2-4), we build stronger, more resilient partnerships.

Taking the Next Step: Partnering for Transformation

Now, let's turn theory into action! Explore

• The Blueprint for Partnership: What does a thriving partnership look like in your specific context? Who else is interested in sport and also loves Jesus? Start praying. What could you do together that you can’t do alone.
• Partnership Opportunities: Identify potential partners within our communities, cities, and churches – partners could be people, organisations or churches.
• Imagine the Change: Envision the incredible transformation that can occur when we work together in unified partnership! It’s what Jesus prayed for us in John 17.

Get ready to be empowered as you discover the transformative power of partnering – the key to fulfilling the Great Commission together!

Live it out application

1.     Memorize Psalm 133:1

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

2.     Think about this and how important partnering is in the Body of Christ to achieving God’s purposes in the world today.

3.     As you look at Jesus’ prayer for us in John 17:20-23

How are you partnering with other followers of Jesus in your church and team?

And with those in other churches and teams?

4.     Make a list of two or more people who you are not currently partnering with and make a plan to connect with them. Make a list of obstacles that make it difficult to partner. Make these a point of prayer over the coming month.

5.     In your team: brainstorm one simple action you could do this week that increases unity in the Body of Christ.  Also choose something that your team could do to serve another church or team.