What we are trying to achieve and how?

Vision

Our vision is for a growing network of vibrant, radical and effective local churches, which are experiencing the Lord’s blessing in the building of his kingdom.

Mission

Our mission is to encourage local churches, in spiritual vitality, effectiveness, growth and church-planting in today’s post-modern culture.

Ethos

Partnership is a network of individuals, self-governing churches and other organisations, with a strong commitment to

• The centrality of Christ and the cross
• Scripture
• Spiritual vitality, in congregations and in their individual members
• Open-hearted co-operation with all committed Christians and local churches
• Evangelism at home and abroad
• Action and outreach to benefit our local communities
• Conversion, believer’s baptism and regular communion
• Plural leadership
• Wide use of the spiritual gifts and abilities of every member of the congregation

We believe that, as envisaged in the New Testament, churches should aim to be:

• flexible and culturally-adaptable
• committed to outward-looking, culturally-relevant evangelism
• non-hierarchical, emphasising gift rather than office
• encouraging heart devotion with practical results
• seeing every member as of equal value though different in gifts and skills
• promoting individual initiative in fellowship with others
• embracing all who believe in and wish to serve Christ.

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Core values

Key to Partnership as an organisation are:

• trust in the Lord of the Church
• commitment to
  • evangelism and the growth of churches
  • vibrant spiritual life in churches and individuals
  • the fundamental unity of the Church, ie, a non-denominational approach
  • the Scriptures interpreted in a properly balanced way
  • care for the churches
• friendship based on trust and networking
• professionally-sound advice
• respect for the rights of local church leaderships to reach their own decisions in their own way, offering advice and support but allowing for diversity and creativity.

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Approach

Partnership seeks to give effect to its vision by:

• striving to encourage spiritual and numerical growth in, and between, local churches which share our ethos and values
• encouraging renewal, revival, and church planting wherever there is a need
• encouraging and equipping churches and individuals, particularly leaders
• We don’t want to duplicate the work of other bodies which are seeking to serve the same local churches, but we do want to encourage those bodies in their ministry, co-ordinate our efforts with theirs, and spot gaps which should be filled by us or others, whether separately or in strategic alliances.

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Strategy

We use an interlocking set of strategic means, including:

• encouraging locally-led area networking, between local churches, leadership teams, and active members
• developing leadership training
• advising and counselling leaderships and churches
• holding national consultations, conferences, road shows and holidays (encouraging collective esprit)
• publications (books, pamphlets, magazines, newsletters, study guides) aimed particularly at leaders and active members of local churches
• networking with other bodies which support this group of churches

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We need the active involvement, support and financial help of local churches, individuals and other organisations to achieve these aims.