Jesus sent his disciples into the field in pairs. This underscores the need for ministry partners.
Our first church plant was a partnership, with my wife and I being the only partners. It worked but took a toll on our home life.
In Bible college, I was taught to avoid personal friendships with church members to prevent perceptions of favoritism. Bad advice! We need at least one close friend apart from our core team.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV).
Culture Bending Partnerships
Success often hinges on strong partnerships. Without Lennon and McCartney, we’d have no Beatles. No Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, no wild ice cream flavors. Walt and Roy Disney created a world of entertainment. William Procter and James Gamble fill our homes a hundred years after they began their partnership.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen shrank room-sized computers to fit a desktop. Hewlett and Packard made them affordable. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak gave us beauty, while Larry Page and Sergey Brin opened the internet for ordinary folks. The list includes Orville and Wilber, Watson, and Crick–you get the idea.
Kingdom Partners
Partnerships are foundational in the kingdom of God. Moses needed Aaron. David certainly needed Nathan. Barnabas championed Saul and fought him over John Mark. Peter and John withstood Pharisees—neither may have stood firm alone.
My Friendships Bettered My Life
In youth ministry, high schooler Daniel Boyd was my wingman. After Ruby and I planted the first Hope Chapel, Richard Agozino and I walked the hills of Palos Verdes, praying for our ministries every Monday morning. He planted our first daughter church. Without Richard, there may never have been a movement.
Aaron Suzuki made our move to Hawaii possible. He became my closest friend. His connection to the islands bolstered our confidence to pursue the dream. We’re still tight after my move to California.
Ed Hope and I shared coffee and war stories every Saturday morning for nine years. He proposed the birth of Hope Chapel Honolulu when Kaneohe went into succession.
An Exponential Blessing
My involvement and yours with Exponential were profoundly shaped by another partnership. Todd Wilson and Dave Ferguson laid the groundwork for thousands of new churches. God works through friendships!
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV).
A friend told me, “Peanut butter is sticky and good. Chocolate is rich and sweet. But together, they’re Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.” Everyone knows Reese’s is one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. Find a friend you can depend on besides your spouse!
Ralph Moore is the Founding Pastor of three churches which grew into the Hope Chapel ‘movement’ now numbering more than 2,300 churches, worldwide. These are the offspring of the 70+ congregations launched from Ralph’s hands-on disciplemaking efforts.
He travels the globe, teaching church multiplication to pastors in startup movements. He’s authored several books, including Let Go Of the Ring: The Hope Chapel Story, Making Disciples, How to Multiply Your Church, Starting a New Church, and Defeating Anxiety.
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