I have been doing lots of denominational meetings lately and church-to-church cooperation has been on my mind. So, I am feeling a series coming on... not sure how long it will be, but I can feel it!
I am pleased to see what looks like a renewed confidence in the church of God as the means of carrying out the mission of God. When Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations" he was not commanding individuals, but his church. While I hear more and more about the importance of the local church (thank God), I fear that some are losing sight of the need to cooperate with other churches for the spread of the gospel and the glory of God.
Now, some churches have strong theological cooperation, but not a missional cooperation. There are some great theological networks out there that highlight the gospel, and we need them. But the gospel leads us to preach, work, and start churches, and such work demands greater cooperation. Both denominations and networks can be a great means of cooperating and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Most churches are under 200 in size, and even our larger churches are limited in their ability to reach far with the gospel on their own. To put it more plainly, we cannot do all that God calls us to do on our own. The planting of churches and the continuation of all gospel work across North America and throughout the world requires churches to link up with others for training, support, accountability, and funding. Certainly, they can do more than these things, but these are a good start and I think they should be a primary focus:
Training
Networks and denominations allow for a pooling of training resources that most churches greatly need and from which they can benefit. That can include seminary, college, training for ministry, and so many other things. Planting a church, for example, is no small or easy task. Assessing church planters, the development of a strategy, and church planter training are often areas in which local churches need help.
Support
One of the most important benefits of cooperation is support. Within a family of churches you can find real affection that emerges out of a shared mission. Some networks think of this support as a kind of "family" that amounts to the mutual encouragement and counsel between churches and church leadership. It is common for churches to feel isolated in their particular context of ministry, but through our networks and the internet cooperating churches can connect and find the support they need as they continue the hard work of ministry. How do I handle this popular false teaching? What is the best approach for dealing with a particular barrier to our church's growth? Has anyone else ever encountered this situation in a church plant? I am depressed, feel like a failure - anyone have any words for me?! Cooperation allows for support that would otherwise be out of reach for many.
Accountability
When churches cooperate together for the mission of God accountability becomes a very healthy and necessary component to ensure that the gospel remains central, that false doctrine is avoided, and that the mission continues to move forward.
Funding
In some denominational and network contexts there is the potential for financial support. This is a great help to carrying out the Great Commission. In my own denomination, the International Mission Board can support over 5,000 missionaries across the globe, while its North American Mission Board also helps 5,000 missionaries/church planters.
We are drawing a lot of theological lines in the sand these days. We often do this through statements of faith or confessions. Although it is easy to criticize such statements, I tend to affirm them--it is a good thing to know where you stand and have boundaries, when rightly understood.
So, we can work within our denominational community and without. There are different levels of cooperation (as I have already written elsewhere). Oddly enough, my denomination (not known for palling around with others), has even penned the value of cooperation within our statement of faith:
Article 14 on Cooperation
Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.
More on that tomorrow...
Posted on November 24, 2008 at 8:33 PM ~ 12 Comments
Tagged with: church, cooperation, denominations, missional, networks
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I agree with you but feel you've perhaps stopped short, rather than going too far. Perhaps i'm pre-empting the "series" of which you spoke. Don't forget there are also non-church, non-religious organizations with which to partner when their agenda furthers Kingdom values. Currently, we are working with a Lions Club, the Rotarians, an unchurched, lapsed-Catholic politician, and a large electronics store to provide a new laptop computer to a woman with MS who, herself, has moved from agnosticism to spiritual thinking (angels) to sensing the clear presence of God in her suffering...much of which has occurred through a woman who (because she works for a non-religious, non-profit group) can't overtly share the gospel. SO, she just lives it and God is blessing it richly.
Thanks Ed for this particular post. As a new church planter with the SBC I am often asked, "Why affiliate? Why not be non-denominational?" While I understand the concern comes mostly from ignorance on how cooperation with a denomination works (or is at least supposed to . . grin), I site most of these same reasons for linking up with the SBC to those who question our motives. I have, however, been met with territorial resistance in the "spirit" of cooperation - in that we are not cooperating like we should (e.g., working with an assoication outside of the local one where the church has been planted). Therefore, it is my hope that in this series you will address some of these issues. Peace be with you . . .
Rick,
Definitely, we can partner with all kinds of groups, at different levels, and for different purposes.
Ed
What is the main reason behind the resistence to cooperation?
My opinion is that a lot of ministers are not Kingdom building, rather they are empire building, and anyone planting a church in their "backyard" is a threat to that empire, and their ego. Where I am the different denominations work better together than those SBC within the same association.
If it had not been for partners in the Kingdom of other "flavors," I would not have experienced some of the greatest moments in my ministry.
Additionally, these relationships have caused me to truly evaluate, re-evaluate and dig deeper into my own doctrinal stances.
As a younger current church planter I would have to agree with Carl. My perspective has totally changed when it comes to partnering. We would have missed out on what God has for us had we mistaken a call to plant as "our" vision. (Albeit there are those we still choose not to partner with for specific reasons).
Currently we are affiliated with a network of Grace Brethren Fellowship churches that act as local accountability and oversight, we are supported in training and coaching by a SBC church, have received funding from a separate SBC church in another state, and share a building with a Vineyard Church.
All of this has nothing to do with our particular "flavor" of ministry. Instead God has moved in hearts to align a common mission for our specific city. I am blown away that there are individuals halfway across our country that are willing to invest in our city, when there are certain organizations in the city that refuse to go out side their walls.
We've been accused by those outside of the picture as "getting around" when it comes to partnering... but God has really shown us that accountability is great. Mutual submission between those in the body always glorifies Christ
Brother Stetzer,
Thank you for this post. My wife and I have been working for a year in Conway,Arkansas preaching the Gospel and ministering in large community of mobile homes that has alot of problems. We have been really mulling over this topic of cooperation.
This past Sunday, we partnered with four different denominations in order to distribute Thanksgiving Baskets.
My concern has really been how far am I going to concede on theological issues. We realized that what is paramount are the essentials in regards to who Christ is and his finished work. If someone doesn't want to partner because of a difference on eschatology or gifts or mode of baptism, then we are missing the point.
We desire to work with believers who want to proclaim Christ as revealed in the Scriptures and also show that love of Christ in tangible ways. At the same time we also understand there is a line that must be drawn, so it is good for a clear statement of beliefs.
What I have found is that cooperation is not hindered on the main points but on second and third issues.
Dave, thank you for the testimony and I pray that the Lord will continue give you the opportunity to "get around."
I am really looking forward to this series. Thanks for taking it up.
to some degree, it is sad that we have to have this discussion, but it is a reality. I heard it said that if we don't feel comfortable with each others culture as Christians (interdenominational), then how can we ever reach a non-Christian world?
good article ...i passed it on to http://www.newchurchreport.com to share with others - thanks!
Working with other denominations is a must for military chaplains. This was a concern for me at first, however the more that I work with others it is clear that gospel minded people will rally around each other. People that have their own agenda will not last when working with others. Eventually only the Gospel ofJesus Christ will hold any of us together regardless of denomination.
Ed,
have you written anything re: why denominations are necessary at this point? Do denominations that were once meant for accountability get in the way of Christ?
I'd like to hear your views...
GW,
Great point. When I trained the chaplains assigned to the Coast Guard, I found their level of partnership to be fascinating indeed.
Evan,
I might get into that. Not sure.
Ed