CFTROU 0015: Forming Strategic Partnerships
This episode covers the second of four ways to do Multisite Church for the Rest of Us. Today we are joined by our good friend, Dr. Raymond Underwood, to talk about the role that strategic partnerships play in a multisite strategy. Dr. Ray is a church planter who pastored the church he planted for thirty years before entering into a strategic partnership with Family Church. Navigating the partnership of two churches is not easy, but the belief that we can truly be “better together” motivates us to work the process. It is all about building trust and keeping an open mind. In the end, we can go further faster and do more together than we could ever do separately.
Key Points:
- What motivated Dr. Ray to enter into a partnership after leading his church for thirty years
- What it takes to bring two churches together.
- How to let go of control and ego.
- Why we prefer the term “strategic partnership” to “merger.”
- The benefits of church partnerships.
- The practical issues involved in forming a partnership.
- Advice to pastors who are on the fence.
It’s always about the vision of going further and faster together rather than apart. Click To TweetGreat leaders are great followers. Click To TweetPartner for vision and relationships; don’t do it for ego, money, or buildings. Click To Tweet
Guest Bio
Dr. Raymond Underwood serves as the chief encouragement officer of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to that, he had served as the lead and founding pastor of Palm Beach Community Church in Palm Beach Gardens since 1985. Raymond is a native of South Florida, a graduate of Crichton College (B.S.), Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology). He has been married to his high school sweetheart for more than 30 years with three adult children Raymond, Janelle and Philip.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
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