No, not like the cowboy lingo “Hey Pardner!”. Partners, for us, are going to be what most churches call members. Why? We wanted a term that was more active than “member”. A member belongs to something, a partner DOES something. A member GETS something, a partner GIVES something. We want people to become partners WITH us in ministry not members OF a ministry we perform. Now, I know there are PLENTY of churches with members who do a TON of ministry (HPCC), however, we felt for us and what we would be doing that the word “partner” meant so much more. Check out the definitions of the words:
member – a person, animal, plant group, etc., that is part of a society, party, community, taxon, or other body.
partner – a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; associate.
Associated in some action or endeavor with another. That’s what we want. We sat down at staff meeting and developed steps to get people into partnership. Clear, simple, meaningful steps. To be a partner at Element Church it is going to be WAY more than “What you know about the Evangelical Church” (although we will teach it clearly). More than “What you know about our doctrine” (although we will teach it clearly) It will ALSO be what you do WITH us. A partner in Element Church will commit to 3 G’s: Groups (involved in a Life Group); Giving (financially to Element Church); and Gifts (Serving as a volunteer according to their gifts).
Partners! A person who shares with another in some action or endeavor; associate.
Following Christ,
Jeff
