Partners...

I read recently that one of the ways Toyota is beating the "Big Three" is because of it's close realtionships with it suppliers...it's "partners" if you will. In many cases Toyota will actually build "extra" space into their plants so their suppliers can work side by side with them under the same roof.

From the very beginning actionchurch has been about "partnering" with other businesses and organizations. We didn't have a place to have a church service so we partnered with Fat Daddy's Nightclub. The "partnership" was great for both the Nightclub and actionchurch. (In fact I ran into the owner of Fat Daddy's last week and he is definitely "rooting for us" to grow and need a second site so we will come back!) After only a few short weeks I can already see how our partnership with Club 19 will be more of the same. We partner with Relay for Life every year to serve their organization and raise money for those suffering from cancer. Our recent partnership with Bridge of Hope for our "Extreme Christmas Makeover" is truly one of the most exciting and life changing thing we have had the opportunity to do as a church family. (They are blown away at how all of you stepped up to car for "our" adopted family! I am so proud to be part of actionchurch!)

What can you expect in the future? Lots more of the same. I believe we are just beginning to develop the resources and the partnerships that will allow our little (for the present) church do big things to serve those both inside and outside of actionchurch. Just yesterday I had two great conversations...one with a counseling organization...and one with an artist management company (bands) about how we can work together. I can see both of these organizations working with actionchurch as Forrest Gump would say..."like peanut butter and jelly".

God created us to work together in community...so it doesn't surprise me that some of the biggest advances I see on our horizon as a church will come from cooperating with others...