Paul didn't have many "partners" in ministry. He had lots of fellow believers and brothers & sisters in Christ. But not so much on the partners -- the kind of folks who'd do whatever it takes, through thick & thin, hardship and success.
In fact, I only see two of these kind of companions to Paul in scripture.
We're preparing to have another partnership class this month... but I've been stalling. Over the past year, I've thrown away dozens of partnership covenants from people who have moved-on from our church. Obviously, we've been doing some mislabeling.
Nothing wrong with not being a partner though. I just don't want to throw that word around lightly.
So I have a week to consider the right terminology. And it probably won't be a permanent tattoo. Maybe just a designation for someone is approved to servant-lead others... for as long as they're with us. hmmm.
What about Philippians 1:4 or Philippians 2:19-30? I think Paul actually had quite a few partners in ministry.
However for whatever reason I don't think you have. I'm always surprised by the amount of people who have been "with you" that then just up and left. Makes no sense to me. Maybe it's the NOVA cultural inclination to not really ever partner up with anything. So I don't blame you for stalling one bit -- I think I'd be really gun-shy.
However you seem to have a very different crew in there now -- at least I'm praying that's true.
Posted by: Jason Roberts | August 03, 2007 at 11:23 AM
i think it was mark batterson who said that doing ministry in northern virginia is like trying to hug a parade. =)
Posted by: Ben | August 03, 2007 at 08:11 PM
as for partners, i was counting Timothy and Titus. I see Paul appealing to other folks to become his partner (eg: Philemon) but all others seem to fall short of these two guys.
Posted by: Ben | August 03, 2007 at 08:14 PM