Quotes from PartnerSteps, by Kail and Wallace

by Stewart Lanier on March 31, 2005 08:50PM (EST)

Partnersteps, “Developing Cooperative Ministries Today”
Edward A Kail with Julia Kuhn Wallace, Discipleship Resources, 2003.

~the foundation of cooperative ministry is the core process of the church : “to make disciples of Jesus Christ”. p. 13
~churches and individuals will bring differing orientations to what it means to be a church; there will be tensions between polarities: relational and directional ministry (congregation and parish)~ p.16
~cooperative ministry pulls congregations in the direction of the directional and parish orientations to ministry~ p. 16
~there are many possible motives for cooperative ministry. Some lead to vitality, focus, changed lives, sustainability; some lead to low morale, scattered efforts, hurt and conflict~ p. 23
~the most seductive wrong motive is...the desire to survive~ p.23
~understand that there are two stories being told, one that is public and the other that is a private sub-text, the official PC version, and the inner thoughts and desires. p.24
~there is a difference between having a mission statement and having a mission that is stated~. p.25
~don't overlook the importance of a clear common identity and shared territory, and do not forget that past history will shape the way people come to this process~ p.30
~Five Phases of Planning: p. 39
Preparatory (6-12 months) exploratory conversations, gather information about how it may work, get information to congregations, recruit people who will guide
Probe (1-2 years) a dedicated group develops the theological and spiritual ground work: small group discussions, sermons, begin experiments with cooperative activities, raise the question: what kind of cooperative organization would serve our needs?
Structuring (2-6 weeks) decisions made about the organizational structure (congregation votes, district approval, etc.)
Operating (3-5 years) implement plans, staff arrangement in place, learn from experience, evaluate and revise plans and strategies
Comprehensive evaluation (before end of fifth year) review entire arrangement for faithfulness and effectiveness to mission. Revise as needed.
~the amount of time and effort expended in the process of developing a cooperative ministry depends on what you want to grow, a squash (a few months) or an oak tree (years). p. 42

96 pages total, nine chapters.