Partnering with our "competitors"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Christian schools have a wonderful opportunity to work together to advance and promote Christian education. Rather than see each other as competitors for a finite number of students, these cooperative schools see each other as partners in communicating the message that a Christian worldview is imperative for our children.

How can schools band together in these joint efforts and what does this have to do with stewardship? The answer to the second question first. When schools come together with one unified voice they save resources (time, talent, and money) as each one contributes to a larger effort. In my role with www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com I am working with 15 schools in the Twin Cities area for a November event. The evening is called Christian Education: A Real Choice for You and is a tribute to the organizers for their willingness to work together to speak to parents.

In this way the schools are being good stewards of their resources; one handles the advertising, another gets the venue, another lines up the speakers. and so on.

In order to partner together schools (and other like ministries for that matter) need to realize that we are not the only solution to a problem, but that the Lord purposes each of our schools with a special mission. Also, we must realize that there are plenty of potential students if we do our job to "raise the level of the pond" so that all boats (schools) float higher.

In short, partnering requires humility that reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.