Churches Reaching Churches Through Partnership FAQ What has been the impact of Willow Creek International ministries? Why does Willow Creek International work through indigenous church leaders? How does the Willow Creek International ministry impact the church and increase evangelism? How does my church become a Willow Creek International (WCI) Partner Church? What countries are participating in church partnerships? How does the partnership process begin? How long does it take to identify a partnership? How do we make an initial contact with our recommended partner church? How long does a partnership last? What does a church partnership look like? What has been the impact of Willow Creek International ministries? In 1998, 28,955 church leaders participated in WCI training events. That number grew to 47,143 in 2001, and grew to over 52,000 in 2004. Conferences and training events are critical in the countries WCA serves, as these provide an environment for vision, encouragement, and permission for change. Member churches, from over 100 denominations around the world have grown from 1308 in the network in 1998 to 4200 churches in 2004. Here are a few facts about Willow Creek International Member Churches compared to other churches: 43% report increased attendance, compared to 22% for non-members 28% report membership is growing, compared to 12% for non-members 48% report that members are building relationships with unchurched, compared to 27% in non-member churches 38 % report more unchurched attending services, compared to 21 %. As a result of participation in WCI training, 49% of churches have seen a stronger emphasis on evangelism and reaching lost people; 43% have implemented training to help their people discover and use their spiritual gifts; and 26% have started a small groups ministry. Based on a survey in 2001, tens of thousands made decisions for Christ in WCA churches in 12 countries. Why does Willow Creek International work through indigenous church leaders? The key to unlocking a culture is more easily interpreted by people in their own culture. Relationships and credibility are more quickly established locally. Cost and time for language training are eliminated. Cost and time for support raising are eliminated, as the pastors speak the language and knows their culture. It is more economical than sending a missionary from the United States. (Not that we shouldn't send missionaries from the US in certain circumstances!) How does the Willow Creek International ministry impact the church and increase evangelism? First, WCI targets innovative and pioneering church leaders who are willing to take risks to build a prevailing church. Second, conference and training events are important to the change process. (81% of pastors we serve say this is the best way for them to receive training.) Conferences are where the trumpet is sounded to first call out the innovative and pioneering church leaders, and plant a renewed vision for the church. Third, in-depth training events on specific ministries of the church focus on training others and implementation. Fourth, a WCI Affiliate, led by nationals is developed to sustain training, resource development, and church renewal efforts. A goal for the affiliate is to become a self-supporting ministry in four to five years. Fifth, through this process many Willow Creek Resources are translated and made culturally relevant to be used in churches for training others in local churches. Sixth, from vision and training most churches experience more people involved in ministry using their spiritual gifts; more become involved in evangelism; and more people come to Christ. Seventh, pastors and church leaders receive advanced training and mentoring to develop their skills for leading and growing their church. Networks of like-minded church leaders develop for mutual encouragement and learning. Eighth, as flourishing churches emerge, a critical mass is impacted, and renewal of the church becomes more wide spread. Partnerships between US and other churches with churches in other WCI counties are formed to enrich fellowship, enlarge vision for the world God loves, and for mutual learning. The process is not strictly chronological, but generally follows this pattern of development. WCA member churches in the US share a common mission and common values with other WCA churches around the world, and that provides a common ground for partnerships. Remember, the local church is the beginning and the end of missions. The task is challenging, yet the opportunities are increasing, and will require a greater partnership and team effort with other WCA churches. We hope you will join us in the task through WC How does my church become a Willow Creek International (WCI) Partner Church? U.S. Churches that commit to supporting WCI at a minimum of $20,000 annually or are working toward that level of support, and indicate the desire to enter into a partnership with a WCA Member Church in another country become a Partner Church. For WCA churches this is a missions expression that is compatible and consistent to the mission, vision and values of the local church. WCI is a mission's paradigm designed to work directly with local churches in 12 countries, and promotes a church-centered missions model that will help your church significantly increase its effectiveness and direct involvement, helping to build "prevailing churches" in 12 countries. What countries are participating in church partnerships? Countries where there is a WCA Affiliate -- Australia * Brazil * Canada * Germany * Mexico * The Netherlands New Zealand * Norway * South Africa * Sweden * Switzerland * United Kingdom While WCI contributions are not designated to a specific country or local church, but through the WCI affiliate in each country, funds are distributed for training and local church needs. Focus on one country provides a healthy context for Church to Church Partnerships. How does the partnership process begin? When we receive your WCI Financial Commitment/Church Partner Profile, our office will review your profile and then send it to the appropriate international affiliate for processing. For example, if your church desires to partner with a church in Germany, we send your profile to WCA Germany. WCA will work to connect you with an appropriate church, provide guidelines to partnership development, and provide counsel as needed as you develop your local church partnership. Through a Church Partnership, your church can experience new energy and passion for reaching the world for Christ through prevailing local churches. How long does it take to identify a partnership? We will work to complete the match within 90 days. However, relational paradigms don't always follow the calendar, so be prepared for the process to take a little longer. Once there is a match, both churches will receive a recommendation from our office for your review and acceptance. It will then just take time to develop a relationship. How do we make an initial contact with our recommended partner church? Once we hear from you that you are ready to proceed, we will assist you in arranging an introductory meeting, preferably in person. A personal visit between pastors is very important, and an easy way to connect is at a WCA conference in the U.S. or in their country. Next, you can connect other key people who will be involved, i.e. other leaders, staff and volunteers. WCA will assist in the process of establishing the partnership, and we are available for counsel if needed. Sometimes a partnership is not viable for one party, but we can begin the process again for either church. How long does a partnership last? As long as it is meaningful to both partners. We envision long-term partnerships. Some may go for an era defined by goals, a few years, ten years, or a generation. Church partnerships take on a life and identity of their own. No one will be the same. What does a church partnership look like? There are many beneficial ministries, projects, and activities that contribute to a meaningful relationship. The following will give you some ideas, and you and your partner church can take it from there. There are no creative bounds or limits to what a partnership may look like. Staff and Key Leader Exchanges: Many churches exchange pastors for a week to a month. Through this exchange, each church can get a better understanding of the heart and vision of their partner church. Some churches do this every year. Exchanges can be beneficial in many different ministries between staff and key volunteers of the churches. Mentoring/Coaching: Your pastor or a key staff member of your church could become a mentor, coach, or counselor to a pastor or leadership team member of your partner church. Internships: You could arrange for a staff member or ministry leader from a partner church to come and spend a time of learning with the ministry leader in your church (i.e. youth pastor, children's pastor, worship leader, etc.), or you may send someone from your church to learn and serve in your partner church. Vision Teams: Ministry teams of all kinds (singles, high school ministry, children's ministry, small group leaders, etc.) from your church can visit the partner church, and their teams can visit your church to exchange ideas, work on projects, build relationships, and strengthen and encourage one another. Those who participate will never be the same again. Provide Resources: Your church could provide needed financial assistance in a variety of ways, as God leads. For example, your church could provide scholarships for partnering pastors to attend WCA conferences, provide a "Becoming a Contagious Christian" or "Network" Seminar to be given at the partner church, assist them in purchasing course materials and other WCA resources for their leaders, provide funding for technical equipment needed for their weekly services, etc. If your partner church is in a less developed area, your church may consider funding other kinds of projects. Caution - It is best not to lead with money in developing a partnership. Relationship first, money after there is a relationship of confidence, trust, and authenticity.