The apostle Paul used the word partnership to describe his relationship with the church at Philippi (Phil 1:5, 4:15). It speaks of a committed engagement in Gospel work, through financial giving, steadfast support and prayer (Phil 1:19, 4:10-20). In this vital way, the Philippians had a stake in Paul’s ministry of proclaiming the Gospel. 

The same concept of partnership is essential today for churches to embrace God’s agenda of taking salvation to the ends of the earth. Crosslinks exists to foster frontline mission and encourage churches to engage in that mission. Our existing Stakeholder scheme helps churches enter into vital partnerships with those taking God's Word to God’s world. Our new Church Partnerships Team (CPT) is being established to serve Stakeholder churches more effectively and develop new church mission links. 

How does the Church Partnerships Team work? 

There are three new roles: 

Administrative: A central co-ordinator at our London office, responsible for all communication between Crosslinks and churches. 

Support: To teach, train, encourage and resource partner churches in mission. 

Development: Establishing church partnerships and helping mission partners build their support. 


What are the benefits of the Church Partnerships Team ? 

• From a church’s perspective CPT offers: 

• A full-time office-based person at 251 Lewisham Way, London for all enquiries

• Consultation on establishing mission partnerships

• Consultation to review and refresh a church’s mission involvement

• Teaching and training on engaging in cross-cultural mission locally

• Resources to help all ages grasp God’s mission in the world

• Specialist preaching and teaching on mission, to tie in with a local church’s programme. 

From a mission partner’s viewpoint: 

• A renewed emphasis on true partnership with churches

• Simplified liaison with partner churches

• Enhanced support for mission education visits

• Active help in building a church support base 

From Crosslinks’ point of view:

• Greater efficiency and effectiveness through centralised administration

• Costs saved on regional offices

• Refocused objectives on serving churches in the mission cause

Crosslinks magazine April 2005 index