by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Reality Check It had already been a long day. A dozen ministries were discussing their partnership to share Christ with young, aspiring Muslims in the region. Some agencies were large and their contribution to the partnership reflected their size. There were...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues, A-Scriptural Reflections
Background/Context For many years, with colleagues around the world, I have worked to bring God’s people into whole, collaborative relationships. These initiatives have consistently sought to empower effective evangelization, development of national church...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues, A-Scriptural Reflections
Essential Idea God designed men and women to live in harmony, in open, healthy relationships — whether in families or communities. God’s design is based on His own nature. Adam and Eve’s tragic decision in Genesis destroyed transparency, trust,...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Definition of networks: Any group of individuals or organizations, sharing a common interest, who regularly communicate with each other to enhance their individual purposes. Note the key phrases — common interest regularly communicate individual purposes....
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
1. Why is collaboration so important but so rare? Satan actively seeks to keep believers from working together Partnerships and networks take time and a conscious, focused effort. Most people are completely taken up with their own organization’s programs and...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
My background is in business, then many years in international broadcasting, and the last 40+ years helping God’s people work together in ministry partnerships. Over the years it is clear that there are a range of factors and motives that compel a focus on...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Effective partnerships are built on trust, openness, and mutual concern. Partnerships are more than coordination, planning, strategies, and tactics. The heart of the Gospel is restored in relationships. Effective partnerships are built on trust, openness, and mutual...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
We were originally designed to live in open, transparent, trusting relationships (Genesis 2-3). Because of that, partnership/network is based on God’s character, it’s not an idea invented in business. It is a visible manifestation of the heart of the Good News –...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
This article is part of a series on major issues that leaders may encounter in the lifecycle of mission networks and partnerships. This article outlines various types of structures depending on the complexity and level of member involvement necessary to achieve your...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
This article is part of a series on major issues that leaders may encounter in the life cycle of mission networks and partnerships. This article highlights what to do after the Formation meeting. Imagine that your Partnership has been launched. The group of people who...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
For this partnership formation meeting in Central Asia, they came from Sweden, Norway, Korea, Singapore, Germany, England, South Africa, America They were Baptists, Presbyterians, Assemblies of God, Methodists, and the list went on. One of the key principles for...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
有效的配搭 ( Effective collaboration, EC)是一个强有力的、共同拥有的异象。 该异象必须清楚地陈明具体的果效，至少在某种程度上是客观上可评估的。暧昧不清和一团和气是不够的。 清楚地陈述异象和可评估的果效，这是计划、策略、方法、实施及成功的基础。 有效的配搭首先关注“什么”（即异象和果效），而不是如何（架构）。要达到什么特定的目标是绝对必要的，架构决不能比此目标更为重要。 有效的配搭 具有有限的、可完成的目标。 在配搭的初期很少或不会经历“成功”，或者也没有达到目标所需要的步骤。...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
The way we work together in networks or partnerships is as important as what we do. Jesus defining word to us in John 17:21-23 reflects His commitment to restored relationships. Our networks or partnerships are wonderful opportunities to demonstrate the love and...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
We want a vision that unifies and motivates us in collaboration that empowers significant spiritual breakthroughs only possible by working together effectively. We want a process which is seriously prayer based, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit – not just...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Evaluation, A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Partnership or network working meetings present a real communications challenge – for the facilitator, facilitation team, and the participants. How to increase understanding, a sense of trust, develop consensus, encourage camaraderie, and see practical, high-value...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
What Follows What? The level of engagement (and stability, sustainability) is a function of perceived value of the network by primary stakeholders; Perceived value of the network is a function of network’s activities and outcomes and their correlation with my or my...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Case Studies, A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Core Idea The migration of world population into the cities is creating unprecedented challenges for planners, governments, educators, sociologists, and business — not to mention the impact on individual lives, families, and communities of all sorts. Cities are...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Stage 1: Exploration Activities: Research/network/Identify key players/participants Individual private meetings Communications: face to face, telephone, correspondence, fax, etc. Identify agendas, histories, dreams/vision, potential natural points of conection...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
What This Article Covers Collaboration resources for seminary leaders and their faculty What are funders saying about the importance of collaboration in higher ed A brief look at the Biblical basis for Kingdom collaboration. A case history of one seminary’s...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Core Idea Are you building a street-side food stand or a skyscraper? Trying to get neighbors together to reach the kids in your neighborhood or twenty ministries to reach a major people group? Do you need dues, membership fees, or can you realize the dream on...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
This article covers the issue of funding and outlines 4 major categories of costs in typical partnerships as well as a 5-step process for developing a funding strategy. All mission networks and partnerships need resources to accomplish their shared goals. In many...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Collaborative partnerships/networks do not spontaneously come to life. Neither do they continue to function effectively all by themselves. It takes tremendous dedication not only to launch a collaborative initiative, but even more so to lead one. When a collaborative...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
What do Facilitators do? You are a guide. The group you are facilitating is looking for you to lead them down the discussion road. You must help them assess needs and help them create plans to meet them. You guide (not direct or lead) the discussion and keep the...
by Phill Butler | A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Part of a series on major issues that leaders may encounter in the life cycle of mission networks, this article explores the vital role and skills of the network facilitator. Collaborative partnerships do not spontaneously form on their own. Neither do they run...
by Phill Butler | A-Missions, A-Partnership-Case Studies, A-Partnership-Operational Issues
Introduction This article was written in 2004 immediately following work on collaboration in the war-torm Bosnia/Crotia region. It chronicles experiences seeking to develop partnerships in that highly-charged setting and goes on to place such collaborative efforts in...
