It won't happen by accident, and just declaring a partnership does not make it so. Partnerships take prayer, planning, tentative experimentation, uncomfortable moments and false starts. Respect is the first. Each partner should acknowledge the other for the gifts brought to the ministry, he said. Respect means each person provides input and advice, differences are clarified, and common ground is sought.
Respect is foremost in a thriving partnership.
The next characteristic of a successful partnership is responsibility. Each person shares an appropriate portion of the task. Nibbelink said the leader will sometimes be the follower and the follower will be the leader, depending on what is required to complete a project. Partners take responsibility to seek new skills, new insights and new methods, he said. Each new tool brought to the partnership strengthens the team and makes it more effective to meet the challenges of ministry.