Dependency in Partnerships

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5 Ways to Create Unhealthy Dependency

  1. Make an alliance with a lone ranger. 
  2. Send money directly to individuals. 
  3. Finance pastors and local churches. 
  4. Give resources based only on need.

At a minimum, giving should be based on what will enhance,

·        Responsibility – but each partner’s ability to meet their obligations as Christians,

·        Reciprocity – each partner’s ability to make distinctive and complementary contributions, and

·        Results – the ability to achieve specific ministry outcomes. 

  1. Underwrite 100% of the ministry’s need.[3]


Managing Dependency: A Few Don’ts

  1. If a healthy dependency is to be preserved, there are certain things partners in the work of the gospel should never do to each other.  Here are seven taboos that must be observed:
  2. They don’t be fine goals and methods unilaterally. 
  3. They don’t base their relationship on a one way flow of resources. 
  4. They don’t all our money to become the most highly valued resource. 

We tend to put a premium on our own resources rather than on the resources of our non – western counterparts.  In most cases, non – western partners may rely on western partners for financial and technological resources, but western partners are dependent on the human resources, linguistic skills, colt role in sight, and relevant lifestyle of its non – western partners. 

  1. They don’t fund the full cost of a project without clear justification they don’t interfere in the administration of the partner’s organization.
  2. They don’t do for others what they can better do for themselves. 
  3. They don’t rely on “one – size – fits – all” policies.[4]


Dependency Checklist - 8 Ways to Inhibit Unhealthy Dependency

  1. The do we have a clear position on dependency? 
  2. Have we discussed dependency with our partners? 
  3. Can we stop the signs of a unhealthy dependency? 
  4. Are the lines blurred between who is the beneficiary and who is the benefactor? 
  5. Do our partners use methods that put a premium on local resources? 
  6. And finding the season’s account for dependency? 
  7. Is the relationship reciprocal? 
  8. Does each partner make different but complementary contributions?[5]

[3] Rickett, Daniel.  Building Strategic Relationships: A Practical Guide to Partnering With Non – Western Missions.  Partners International: Winepress Publishing, 2003. p. 27-29.

[4] Rickett, Daniel.  Building Strategic Relationships: A Practical Guide to Partnering With Non – Western Missions.  Partners International: Winepress Publishing, 2003. p. 30-32.

[5] Rickett, Daniel.  Building Strategic Relationships: A Practical Guide to Partnering With Non – Western Missions.  Partners International: Winepress Publishing, 2003. p. 33.

Global Ministry

1 Cor. 12:24-25 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

 

 

 


 
   

 

 

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Dr. James King [jking at GPTE.org]
Revised: 05/22/06 18:34:35 -0400.
Copyright © 2001 by [Global Partners in Theological Education]. All rights reserved.