According to a 2006 Hartford Institute for Religion Research national survey of U.S. faith communities, four in ten congregations reported joining in interfaith community service activities across the United States.[i] A survey of Externally Focused Churches in the Leadership Network Community shows similar results. Eighty –seven percent of the externally focused churches surveyed say they participate with other churches for local food programs, followed by emergency assistance (75%), child and youth programs (70%), housing programs (66%), and medical/dental programs (37%).
While most partnered for emergency assistance programs, externally focused churches surveyed are most involved in cooperative programs involving child and youth followed by housing programs, one-day project-oriented work, and projects supporting local schools.
The Golden Family of Churches Health Ministries serves as an excellent example of the growing trend towards collaboration. This vibrant and award-winning church partnership in Golden, CO is coordinated by Calvary Episcopal; Faith Lutheran Church; First Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Mesa View Evangelical Church; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; and Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Karen Setzer, Parish Nurse at Faith Lutheran says, “Partnering with other churches simply make so much more sense!” This organization is its own 501c3 under Faith Lutheran Church and is funded by each church’s financial contribution, the local Lion’s Club, and various grants. Cooperatively they provide free immunization vouchers, flu shots, a health fair, blood drives, housing for homeless families and a published health resource directory.
Having done such an outstanding job of providing health service to their community, the Golden Family of Churches Health Ministries received the distinguished honor and additional funding from the Jefferson County “Turning Vision Into Action” award in 2006.
Power of Three
Church to church collaborations are not without difficulty. The survey shows that lack of initiation, project leadership, shared vision, and resources as primary issues facing churches that wish to partner. In addition to those leading problems, sometimes simple logistics like location and church size create barriers to effectively working together. Surprisingly, only 1% of the survey participants noted doctrinal difference as a major obstacle to partnering with other churches.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” That may be the reason many churches choose to focus on the benefits of partnering over obstacles. Ninety-six percent of churches surveyed report that Kingdom building is their goal for working with other churches.
Overall, it looks as if this trend in more collaborative ventures among churches will continue. Ninety two percent of the churches surveyed intend to increase their number of church partnerships, rather than decrease or simply remain the same.
While most partnered for emergency assistance programs, externally focused churches surveyed are most involved in cooperative programs involving child and youth followed by housing programs, one-day project-oriented work, and projects supporting local schools.
The Golden Family of Churches Health Ministries serves as an excellent example of the growing trend towards collaboration. This vibrant and award-winning church partnership in Golden, CO is coordinated by Calvary Episcopal; Faith Lutheran Church; First Presbyterian Church; First United Methodist Church; Mesa View Evangelical Church; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; and Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Karen Setzer, Parish Nurse at Faith Lutheran says, “Partnering with other churches simply make so much more sense!” This organization is its own 501c3 under Faith Lutheran Church and is funded by each church’s financial contribution, the local Lion’s Club, and various grants. Cooperatively they provide free immunization vouchers, flu shots, a health fair, blood drives, housing for homeless families and a published health resource directory.
Having done such an outstanding job of providing health service to their community, the Golden Family of Churches Health Ministries received the distinguished honor and additional funding from the Jefferson County “Turning Vision Into Action” award in 2006.
Power of Three
Church to church collaborations are not without difficulty. The survey shows that lack of initiation, project leadership, shared vision, and resources as primary issues facing churches that wish to partner. In addition to those leading problems, sometimes simple logistics like location and church size create barriers to effectively working together. Surprisingly, only 1% of the survey participants noted doctrinal difference as a major obstacle to partnering with other churches.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” That may be the reason many churches choose to focus on the benefits of partnering over obstacles. Ninety-six percent of churches surveyed report that Kingdom building is their goal for working with other churches.
Overall, it looks as if this trend in more collaborative ventures among churches will continue. Ninety two percent of the churches surveyed intend to increase their number of church partnerships, rather than decrease or simply remain the same.
This post is an excerpt of my Leadership Network paper called Church to Church Collaborations on the Rise. Download it for free at www.leadnet.org resources.
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