Partner Connection Question & Answer
Our most recent Partner Connection started up this past Sunday (3pm at the Allen’s) – there’s still time to get involved.
As we’ve talked to people recently I thought it might be helpful to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Partner Connection.
1. What is a Partner anyway?
At LifeConnection “partner” is our language for what most churches call “member.” Our hope as a church is to recapture the significance, importance, and biblical centrality of church partnership for the discipleship process. So we use different language to help revive a very important concept.
2. Why does LifeConnection even have Partnership? Isn’t this an outdated, culturally driven form?
The answer to this question is actually quite complex. A couple of quick bullets.
- Throughout the NT the vast majority of references to the “church” are references to local churches (90%+).
- The Great Commission, while significant for individual Christians, was given in the first place to the Church.
- The exercise of our gifts from the Holy Spirit are for the building up of the local church.
- Practically, it protects a church legally, especially with the law suit happy American culture, regarding church leadership, church discipline, and the like.
- For LifeConnection church partnership is requisite for leadership responsibilities over people and/or finances (we must hold one another accountable by first demonstrating we’re willing to submit to God’s leadership in his local church).
- Practically church partnership is subversive to a culture that is growing more and more individualistic.
- Partnership, then, is central to the discipleship process.
3. What happens during the Partner Connection?
Over the course of 5 weeks we discuss what we believe, what our Core DNA, where we’re headed as a church, our leadership structure as a church, the expectations of church leaders and partners, and so forth.
4. Is the Partner Connection required to become a Partner at LifeConnection?
Yes. We want to ensure we’re all on the same page regarding what we believe, what our values are, where we’re headed and so forth. The Partner Connection is the starting point for this. You are allowed to miss one week during the Partner Connection.
5. What else is required to become a Partner at LifeConnection?
Becoming a Partner is predicated on someone places faith in Christ alone, so someone must be a follower of Christ as described in the Scriptures.
Baptism is required to become a Partner, demonstrating that Jesus has my full allegiance.
After the Partner Connection a Partnership interview must happen with one of the LifeConnection Pastors for determination on both sides if one should become a Partner.
There must be a willingness to get involved in serving and in a community group.
Summary
Often church Partnership (or membership) is seen as an ancillary or tacked on process. But our dream as a church is to rediscover that Partnership in God’s local church is central to growing as a follower of Christ.
Well I hope this has been mildly helpful. If you have more questions or want to find out more contact us with your questions or feedback.
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