Question 1

Why do leaders need to consider having partners?

Accepted Answer

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.Leaders are tempted to be “lone rangers.” Sometimes they feel this is necessary, but other times it’s because they don’t want to be bothered with the complexities and demands of involving others. But the lone leader is vulnerable in many ways. Wise leaders find partners who will provide mutual support, wisdom, accountability, and companionship.

Question 2

What are some biblical models of partnership?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 2:24This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.The most basic and intimate form of partnership is marriage.Exodus 24:13So Moses and his assistant Joshua set out, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.1 Samuel 18:3Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.Mark 3:13-14Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach.Mark 6:7He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.Acts 2:42-47All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.Acts 11:22-26When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. . . . Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people.Acts 18:26When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.1 Corinthians 3:5-9After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. . . .For we are both God’s workers.1 Peter 3:17In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.Numerous additional examples could be listed, but these are enough to show that God’s people have worked in partnership across the centuries. Partnerships have advanced God’s work from friendship to marriage, between king and subject, between teacher and student, and the partnership of being fellow members of the body of Christ. These partnerships have provided the means to share responsibility and provide interdependent support among God’s people.

Question 3

What are some cautions about partnership?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 22:26Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.Irresponsible partners can put leaders in jeopardy, so don’t enter into partnerships without due diligence and serious consideration of the character of those involved and the long-term purpose of the partnership.2 Chronicles 16:7-9At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you. The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”2 Chronicles 18:1; 21:6Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter. . . . But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab’s daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.2 Chronicles 20:35-37King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.Partners should never replace our reliance on the Lord, nor compromise our obedience to God. In each of these situations, the kings of Israel or Judah (God’s people), chose to rely on human alliances for military or business purposes instead of trusting and honoring God’s words and call for them. They compromised their ability to respond to God’s direction.1 Kings 9:10-14It took Solomon twenty years to build the Lord’s Temple and his own royal palace. At the end of that time, he gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to King Hiram of Tyre. (Hiram had previously provided all the cedar and cypress timber and gold that Solomon had requested.) But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the towns Solomon had given him, he was not at all pleased with them. “What kind of towns are these, my brother?” he asked. So Hiram called that area Cabul (which means “worthless”), as it is still known today. Nevertheless, Hiram paid Solomon 9,000 pounds of gold.Ezra 4:1-2The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do.”2 Corinthians 6:14-15Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?Partnership, in business or marriage, is teaming up with another to act as one. God warns against partnerships in which one partner loves God and the other doesn’t, because these will naturally lead to conflict or to spiritual compromise. Sooner or later the difference in ultimate allegiance will sour the relationship.