Here's a summary list from Linking Arms, Linking Lives that has been helpful for us on the journey:
Partnership
Essentials
1.
Deep
reconciliation
2.
Authentic relationship
3. Collaborative
action
Do’s and Don’t’s for
both urban and suburban partnerships
1.
Do begin
with existing relationships/don’t attempt to partner with brand new contacts
2.
Do let human need motivate us/don’t forget to
love God!
3.
Do strive for equality and joint ownership of
the ministry/don’t allow inequality to define the partnership
4.
Do foster interdependence and mutual
service/don’t be a burden and a liability to the other.
5.
Do cultivate a relationship that transcends the
ministry project/don’t forget to play
6.
Do commit long-term/don’t give up too easily
7. Do
aim for quality partnerships/don’t partner indiscriminately
Do’s and Don’t’s for
urban partners
1.
Do be
motivated by the larger Gospel truths of reconciliation and mission/don’t let
financial needs define the partnership
2.
Do be honest about your struggle/don’t sabatoge
the partnership with unforgiveness
3.
Do have confidence in what you bring to the
partnership/don’t play the victim
4.
Do provide key leadership in the
partnership/don’t acquiesce to the default posture of subservience
5.
Do listen to the insights of suburban
partners/don’t let the oppressed in you become the oppressor
6.
Do be open to new ways to understand time/don’t
dimiss the virtues of timeliness
7. Do
see enriching suburban culture as part of the task/don’t ignore suburban
culture
Do’s and Don’t’s for
suburban partners
1.
Do
remember that Jesus is Lord of the City/Don’t be overly critical of the City
2.
Do make it personal/Don’t objectify the urban
poor
3.
Do understand the initial distrust and
resentment that may come from urban counterparts/don’t be too defensive
4.
Do establish presence in the community/Don’t be
aloof
5.
Do live by the principles of servant
leadership/don’t always feel you have to lead and teach
6.
Do show generosity as the ministry calls for
it/don’t mistake wanton handouts for generosity
7.
Do share the responsibility of managing
financial resources/don’t allow finances to manipulate and control the ministry
8.
Do learn the art of being flexible with regard
to time/don’t be impatient and too quick to judge tartiness
9. Do
provide ways for suburban volunteers to participate in the work/don’t make a
showcase for the poor
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