Ministry Networking: The Big Win-Win
Networking is more than handing out your business cards to complete strangers. It’s about making meaningful connections with others and coordinating with them to achieve common goals. Ministry Networking should produce a “Win – Win” effect for both ministry partners.
It is about relationships, it is not about brokering a merger. The goal is to leverage the strengths of both ministries in order to accomplish more for the “Cause of Christ.” Penelope Trunk in her article on Networking for People Who Hate Networking says, “Networking is about adding value to peoples’ lives.” When we focus on a goal such as this, everyone wins.
Networking should be strategic and contribute to the purpose of both the individuals and organizations involved. Networking demonstrates a commitment to good stewardship of resources. Building partnerships with others means that your organization does not have to be the master of everything which can save the extra demand of time, personnel and money.
It is a methodical process; it is not manipulation. It is not a golden ticket to more effective ministry even though there is great potential in networking. The benefit of others’ creative ideas and real-world experience are invaluable to your ministry, but it takes time to develop relationships. Remember, most people are not willing to commit to a major strategic partnership just because you met them at a conference.
There are many aspects and requirements to ministry networking but I want to focus on just three of them. It is imperative that you decide in advance if you are comfortable with these three facets.
- Vulnerability – Means getting outside your personal or organizational comfort zones and standard operating systems. I am not suggesting that you compromise your convictions or your ministry principles. What I am saying is that we need to be open to new methodologies and paradigms.
- Humility – Means admitting that someone else does something better than you or your organization. We all want to think that we are the best but truth be told, there are numerous individuals and organizations that exceed us in certain areas.
- Creativity – Means being innovative in leveraging each other’s strengths. Take the time to understand what others are doing. If what they are doing fits your purpose statement, then why not work together? Being a little creative in this venture could extrapolate your influence and aid in reaching more people with the gospel.
I end with a quote from my good friend Paul Fleischmann of National Network of Youth Ministries. Each year he hosts a gathering for the leadership of national youth ministries. He historically begins the meeting by saying this: “You need to check your egos, titles and positions at the door.” Good advice, isn’t it?
