Overloading Partners With Opportunities

Like a rain that turns into a flood it can become too much of a good thing.

There is such a thing as too many partnerships and too much training. This can easily be observed in areas newly opened to the Gospel with the rush to go in and minister and the eagerness to receive all that is newly available.

It is a challenge for all potential partners to discern and decide because we all want something to work out. We want relationships. We want ministry success. 

Too Much from Too Many

Without realizing it perhaps, when many different organizations descend on an area together they bring a dizzying number of great training options. Many of the programs overlap, seeking to accomplish the same goals, and the differences in choice are not very clear to those who might want to avail themselves of the services.

So training organizations should not be offended when potential partners decide they do not need or desire what their organization has to offer. Those looking for training, coaching or consulting should take their time and select carefully and not be afraid to decline many options in order to choose what is best for them or their ministry at the time. All of us are on the same team ultimately, and we can be confident that God is working out the right partnerships for each of us all along the journey.

However, sometimes the overwhelming flood also surfaces not so noble ambitions in all of us. We maneuver to take advantage of one another to selfishly acquire resources or claim the successes or others through partnership. Yet, even in these situations it can be mutually beneficial for the advance of the Gospel, and over time the Lord exposes jealousies and ministry greed and matures His people.

Too Much from Only One

It is also possible that even just one organization or church can offer too many options. Being so eager to help, with the resources lined up to be poured in, a new large vision is ready to be unleashed.

The vision might be too large for the potential partners, or different than what they truly want and need to advance the Gospel in their society. On the other hand, there may be no vision but merely a lot of varied activities planned based upon all the skills available from the church or organization.

Being over eager it is hard to discern if potential partners are ready to receive and engage, or simply willing to work together. This over eagerness also makes it hard for potential partners to stay true to their vision and assess rightly what partnership with a particular church or organization will mean and what will be the results.

Stop the Flood

Too many options of good things can keep our friends from selecting the best.  We make similar ministry judgments, saying “no” to the good in order to say “yes” to the best. We should expect and actually encourage our potential partners to do the same, even if it means not selecting what we have to offer. 

Learn about your potential partners’ real needs in their context. Listen well and observe carefully and be willing to modify or customize what you have to offer. If your church or organization is offering too much or too many options, spread out. Match your efforts to the capacity of your parters. Find more partners or locations.

Not everyone needs the services you offer. Many different types of services are needed, and your thing is not the only thing and it will not be the best thing for for everyone. Relax and follow the Spirit’s leading and don’t be jealous. God has a place for everyone to serve.