How does your church view the nonprofits you support? Are they simply recipients of your financial gifts, or do they represent opportunities to mobilize your congregation?
Many churches view their relationship with local nonprofits primarily through the lens of financial support and volunteer opportunities. While these two metrics are helpful, the strongest partnerships go far beyond either. True partnership is built on a shared mission, mutual trust, and a commitment to serving together.
In other words, churches that partner well view other organizations through the lens of relationship and not just human or financial resources. Churches become collaborators with their partners and not just donors. This shift changes the very questions a church asks when evaluating its partnerships.
Instead of asking, “How much should we give?” a co-laboring church asks, “How can we help this ministry flourish?” That simple shift changes everything.
It changes the nature of the relationship. Typically, when viewed through the lens of human and financial resources, a church can have a top-down view of its ministry partners. They value the nonprofit in terms of how it benefits the church. How well is it using the church’s money and people?
But from a co-laboring perspective, healthy partnership begins with listening. Church leaders seek to understand a nonprofit’s vision, challenges, and greatest opportunities before offering solutions. They communicate regularly, pray intentionally, celebrate wins together, and look for meaningful ways to involve their congregation beyond a single volunteer day.
Likewise, nonprofits benefit from changing how they view churches. Sometimes, nonprofits see churches merely as funding sources, which can pressure them to do whatever is necessary to keep donations coming, even if it’s not aligned with their true mission. But when both organizations recognize each other’s unique gifts, they can accomplish far more together than either could alone.
The Apostle Paul described ministry as a shared work of the gospel. In Philemon 1:6, he wrote, “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” For Paul, partnership meant co-laboring—not just a means to secure resources.
So, consider how your church views its ministry partners. What would it look like to adopt a co-laboring mindset? Here are some ideas:
- Listen to what they need. Have a conversation soon with a ministry leader that does not revolve around funding or volunteers. Find out what co-laboring with your church would mean to them.
- Invest in their capacity. What needs for training, development, personnel, etc does the organization itself have that your church can help meet?
- Send them to Orchard. Some of your partners may benefit from Orchard’s coaching and consulting or even the Community Network for nonprofit leaders. Find out how at www.meeetorchard.org
- Learn about the community and culture in which your partner is working. You may know the ministry well, but what do you need to learn about the community or culture they serve so that you can truly become a co-laborer?
- Pray and celebrate wins together. Regularly ask your ministry partner how your church can pray for them and celebrate any wins.
Churches and nonprofits today have the same opportunity. Together, they can meet tangible needs, demonstrate Christ’s love, and strengthen communities.
The goal is not merely a financial transaction. It is a long-term relationship marked by trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing God’s Kingdom, side by side as faithful co-laborers.
