There is a beautiful pattern flowing from the letters to the churches in the New Testament. Independent and local churches, large and small, were not alone. A relational partnership, not a hierarchy, was the fabric of the early church.
Within Grace Partnership we long for the same. Relationships, as even those New Testament letters make clear, can be messy. Things don’t always go the way we’d like. Hardships and disagreements arise. So, is the answer autonomy, “shelter in place”, or, independence? No. The answer is to pursue the grace of God that so often comes through relationship with one another.
Just as people will wither in isolation, so does the local church. Grace Partnership desires to see strong and established local churches, but not “alone” local churches. We are trying to play our small part in building a partnership of mutual joy, love and affection so that relationships are strengthened, leaders are encouraged, and the gospel advances.
After a weekend visit with Grace Community Church of Corning, New York, what a joy to say the same thing Paul would say to a local church, “I thank my God always in every prayer of mine, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel, from the first day until now.” - Philippians 1:3-4
Are you a local pastor or leader desiring this kind of relationship? Reach out to us! We’d love to get the conversation started.
