Life-giving Partnership
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Better together: that’s what comes to mind when folks ask about the partnership between the two congregations I serve. I hear Jack Johnson singing: Yeah, it's always better when we're together.
Indeed it is. For both congregations.
In December of 2020 when the smaller congregation approached me about a partnership with the larger congregation, which I’ve served since 2009, I saw all the benefits for the smaller congregation. And now, with the housing market boom in our area and shifting sands under the 2022 budget in the larger congregation, I see more clearly how stabilizing it is for both congregations to be partnered in ministry. We are now seven months into the partnership, and I admit that I’m enjoying it!
For those who might be curious about the partnership journey, here are a few details:
—Each congregation is canonically independent.
—The clergy/staff of the larger congregation serve the worship, pastoral, and leadership needs of the smaller congregation, for which the smaller congregation witness a monthly check to offset expenses in the larger congregation.
—Worship has been wonky to schedule. We have an every-other rotation for Holy Eucharist and Morning Prayer, except when it changes. Which is very confusing. Add to this rota complexity whoever is preaching and how we are live-streaming, and there will be mix-ups. Between the priest, deacon, and associate for ministry, there is a presider and preacher at each service. I just can’t always figure out who’s on first, but as long as I’m on second when I’m supposed to be, I let it go. This would not work well for those with a high need for control or aiming for perfection.
Some tips to share:
Be really transparent about the money.
Stay open to how things will shake out with new relationships and communication pathways.
Take delight in the similarities and differences in congregational culture. Like in parenting, avoid comparing and contrasting in ways that convey one is “the favorite.”
Over-communicate in both congregations about changes throughout the partnered system.
Give updates to the vestries about the other congregation.
Introduce the vestries, wardens, treasurers.
Attend College for Congregational Development and teach all leaders in both congregations the same models to gain a shared language.
Do some outreach ministry together.
Get all the details in writing. We called our memorandum of understanding a “Covenant.”
Encourage folks from one congregation to worship in the other, and vice versa.
Notice what is life-giving about each community and the partnership and hold it high for all to see and celebrate.
Members from both congregations (and the nearby Lutheran congregation) gather to bless the joint outreach effort to renovate a home for Afghan refugees.
