The big #2: Collaboration
This is the third in a series of blogs on what I am calling our “cultural values” for lack of a more defining term. These are the core practices and attitudes that define and make Grace “Grace”. They are not doctrines or vision or mission. They are the key distinctive tenants that help us decide where to go and how to get there as GOD leads us.
The first was “open”. Now for “collaboration”.
Collaboration simply means that we will work together with other evangelicals any way we can, It means we will be assertive in saying and acting on this “we are better together” deal that gets frequent lip service in Christianity.
Historically we were anti-collaborative. Five years ago, GOD began to put it on my and our heart to change that. We began to experiment with another local congregation in working together. This was a risky move and it failed. They backed up. But we learned some important lessons- one of which is to be sure that the core culture of the prospective partner is to work together. Another is “we definitely want to collaborate!”
In August 2006, we ran across LifeChurch.tv. They have a similar vision of partnering with others to see the mission accomplished. As we began to explore them, we realized that they were pursuing this collaboration deal with great passion and skill. The result so far is that we are seeing life change happen as we have never seen before. Small groups are hitting their objective of linking lives together on a broader scale than we have ever seen. My basic experience so far with LifeChurch.tv is that we have an excellent collaborative partner.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:13 am
One more note on this: yesterday was an example of how this collaboration deal works out for us. We had a snow day and no service. A few Grace people gathered online and “experienced” the Sunday service from LC together. Its different from being here live and a whole lot better than sitting at home watching the snow blow by. There are MANY benefits to us from this partnership and they exist because LC has a culture similar to us- one that values collaboration.
I am glad to be with a team that has said and acted on this value rather than just think it and keep doing their own thing.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:39 am
“If I had it to do all over again, I’d get help.” John Ghegan.
This quote from a recent John Maxwell book resonates with me and this value.
When we started this church we had a denominational tie that was a drain on us, not a support (normally you support a church plant). This sucked the life out of me, my wife and family,and us as a church.
So we realized pretty clearly that we were going to have to team up with others in order to gain momentum and get on with our mission.
I will never serve in a non-collaborative ministry again.
Never.
December 18th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Amen to that last comment.
December 19th, 2007 at 7:15 am
I was recalling this am two parts of our collaboration history. One was that when God put it on my heart to work together with others, I had no idea what it meant. I went to Gary Sinclair and I as I told him what was boiling in me he nodded and said “Lets go for it”. I had never heard a response like this from another pastor. Gary is a good friend to this day.
I also was recalling that when Teresa King and Bill Glick and I went to OKC to visit LifeChurch, we all had a clear sense that they were an excellent potential partner. When we communicated with the Grace Board, there was unanimous agreement that we should explore some kind of partnership with them.
Cultural values like this are meant to be acted on.
December 24th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Psalm 119:68 “God is Good, and what He does is Good”
I was one of those people Dave mentioned on Sunday who have been greatly impacted by Grace Community. My husband and I have found God, Grace and each other because Dave and others love for God and people.
God is good All the time!
December 24th, 2007 at 7:01 am
As I said yesterday, we have seen more lives change this year than ever in our brief history. This is the goal and it is why I am here.
Merry Christmas to all from our home.