Partnership is intrinsic to God's trinitarian nature and incarnational mission. We participate in God's mission in partnership with God, with partner churches and agencies around the globe and with the hurting world. Moving beyond ingrained paternalistic patterns to equal two-way mission and authentic partnership is a challenge before us.
Humility entails an openness to receive, to learn from and to be corrected by others.
If we give money, build churches, feed the hungry, resettle refugees and preach the gospel without deep feelings of compassion, we are only cruel imperialists. When we approach others with compassion, we truly respect their dignity as human beings and the gifts of their culture, ethnicity and religion. We demonstrate interest in and respect for their ideas, practices and traditions that are different from ours. We have not practiced biblical hospitality until the stranger truly feels welcomed, accepted and a contributing part of our home, church, mission and country. It is not easy for unequal partners to develop mutual mission together.