This is the second in a four part series designed to help churches with drafting a partnership agreement. In this section I will begin to go through a sample contract and add comments. The parts in italic represent what would be included in an actual agreement.
Partners
(Stateside Partner) i.e., Church, Association
(Overseas Partner) IMB missionary, national convention, or other entity
Naming the partners might seem unnecessary, but the responsible parties should be clearly defined in the beginning and representatives from those parties required to sign the agreement. One critical reason for this is to insure the continuity of the partnership even though there is a personnel change on either side.
The Leadership Team
(Stateside Coordinator) – Person representing stateside entity
(Field Coordinator) – Person representing overseas partner
Who will make the partnership function? Identify the key people who are going to make sure this partnership works! Remember, the job of everyone is the job of no one! These are the functional, proactive leaders (i.e., don’t name the pastor unless he is going to actually be the one driving the partnership) who will be responsible for implementing the action plans.
EndVision Statement
The EndVision statement should clearly present the vision of what each entity expects “to see”" at the end of the partnership. What will be the result of the implementation of the partnership? What will the target area “look like?” One great way to understand this principle is to think of a jigsaw puzzle with the pieces of the puzzle in a pile representing the target area beforehand, and the finished puzzle representing how the field will look afterward.
Stateside Partner’s EndVision: Example: At the end of the partnership we see a more mature, more mission minded membership ready to take on an even greater challenge. This will be evidenced by ___% having participated in the partnership at some level and increase evangelism among our members by ___ %.
Overseas Partner EndVision: Example: At the end of this relationship, we believer God will increase the number of churches by _____%, these churches will have members who know the scriptures, will be able to share their witness effectively to the point of reproducing itself in another congregation.
Time frame
The partnership will be for a period of <#> of years, <dates>, with an extension possible, if both agreed to by both parties.
Time limits vary, but having a targeted end time is essential, otherwise, things could drag on indefinitely with little getting accomplished. Generally, three years is a good number considering that the partnership may be extended if needed or desired. Negotiating an extension is easier than bringing a relationship to an early end. In other w0rds, it is better to negotiate an extension of a three year contract than enter into a five year contract and realize later it should have ended in three! The time should be designed to accomplish the intended strategy objectives. Remember: it generally takes longer than planned to accomplish something.
Purpose
(Example only) The purpose of this partnership is to assist the <mission team, national Baptists, IMB missionary, etc.> to proclaim the gospel to all of the <people group> peoples, and work with local believers to:
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Establish ten churches in these (list) key communities
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Provide training in doctrine and discipleship and
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Assist the new churches to start a new mission
The overall strategy of the field should define the purpose of the partnership. IMB personnel are involved in a process of seeing God establish a church planting movement. A long-term commitment to partner can facilitate a purpose driven relationship so that all parties can participate in that process. Project action plans should be strategically and intentionally designed to accomplihs the goals established by the field’s strategy and the priorities to which the partners are both committed.
Note in the example above, the purpose statement is measurable . Remember, state the strategic purpose for the partnership. What do the partners want to accomplish? The more focused the purpose, the more likely it will be accomplished.
(Continued in the next post, Guide for Drafting a Partnership Agreement, Part 3)
