The Power of Partnership
Recently I bought my two sons Nike T-shirts. A couple of weeks later, my neighbour Ruth’s sons were wearing the exact same shirts. “I found a great sale on these,” Ruth exclaimed when I saw her–and when she told me about the deal she got, my heart sank.
It was a fraction of what I’d paid. “Ruth,” I said, “you’ve got to tell me about these sales!” And so now, Ruth lets me know what is on sale and where. I love to find a bargain and since Ruth knows where to go, I automatically ask for her advice.
A creative friend of mine always says, “If I don’t know how to do something, I look for someone I know who does it well. Then I learn from them.”
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How often have you asked for advice on how to decorate, remove a stain or solve a computer problem? I’m sure you’ve come away enriched–and equipped with the know-how to do something more easily or creatively.
I have been encouraged recently to see women using this age-old tradition of partnering to get ideas on how to share the gospel. Let me share a few examples.
- In March, I attended a luncheon sponsored by the organizers of a conference called Faithlift. After sharing the purpose of the conference, they told us, “If this event would strengthen and build the women in your area of influence, we invite you to make your conference.” What an invitation! And what a response. Over 1200 women, from more than 100 mainline and evangelical churches attended.
- In April, at the Building Together conference in Vancouver, BC, Canada, 36 ministry workshops, presented by a broad spectrum of groups, dispersed excellent ideas for reaching women. As women networked, hearts were strengthened and leaders bubbled over with new courage and ideas for ministry.
Both the luncheon and the conference left me pumped! I knew God was moving in the midst of us as we learned from each other and worked together to get ideas on how to share His love with the lost.
Philippians 1:27 tells us to, “…stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.” That’s exactly what is happening as we set aside the things that divide us and concentrate on the things that unite us in Christ.
Women Today, Canada seeks to provide contemporary resources and training and share ideas the Lord gives us. We know the Lord is giving many of you ideas, too. We want to serve the body of Christ, by being a “clearing-house” for ministry ideas that work.
Just like Ruth and I work together to get great bargains, we at Women Today, Canada want to partner with you, your church or organization to learn your ministry ideas and to share ours with you.
