Partnership of Churches: S.T.E.P.'s Church Partners
Little Rock - Covenant Presbyterian, Fellowship Bible Church, Mosaic Church, & The Bible Church.
North Little Rock - Cornerstone Bible Fellowship, Fellowship Bible Church, First Baptist Church, Park Hill Baptist Church, & Silver City Church.
Maumelle - First United Methodist Church.
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The Need for Partnership
Individual churches often lack the manpower and financial resources to direct a sustained and effective ministry to the communities of need around them. When ministries are undertaken, they often duplicate and/or overlap the effort of government agencies, relief agencies, and other churches and organizations.
STEP is a partnership between local churches, which brings together the human and financial resources of the member churches into a coordinated ministry strategy directed toward the community of need. The strength of the combined resources and coordination result in ministry effectiveness that far exceeds the sum total of each church ministering alone.
The ministry of STEP is structured to augment rather than to usurp the ministry of a partner church. This distinction separates a "partnership of churches" from a "para-church" structure, where churches primarily participate financially, but seldom participate with regard to leadership and manpower. The effect is that "para-church" ministry is accomplished apart from the context of local churches. While in some cases the lack of initiative on the part of local churches, or the need for specialized skills and/or facilities may necessitate a para-church structure. It is the judgment of STEP that the biblical pattern is that the church be at the center of ministry endeavors.
Church Participation:
Partner Church
In order for the ministry to function as a "partnership of churches" and not as a "para-church" ministry, there must be shared authority and shared responsibility. This will be accomplished as churches make a commitment to join the partnership and commit to sharing in both the responsibility and the authority of the ministry. Those churches that assume the role of active ministry, financial support, and full participation on the Board of Representatives will be participating as a "Partner Church."
Associate Partner Church:
There may be circumstances where a local church may feel drawn to this ministry, but may not desire, nor be able, to serve on the Board of Representatives even though the church would like to support STEP financially, and/or with volunteers. Such a church would be willing to embrace STEP as an ongoing mission of their church and more than a project. This church would be known as an "Associate Partner Church" and would be an active participant in the ministry. An Associate Partner Church would not have a position on the Board of Representatives and would subject themselves to the leadership of the board.
Either as a Partner Church or as an Associate Partner Church, commitment to the ministry must begin at the senior staff level of each partnering church. The senior staff and/or Elder Board must share in the heartfelt burden for the community of need and commit resources of the church toward the common ministry.
Community Partner:
In some cases, there may be other organizations in the community such as government agencies, businesses, civic organizations, or other non-profits that may want to come engage in the ministry of STEP. These partners may make a long-term commitment or may participate on a project. Their support may come as financial, in-kind contributions, or the supply of volunteers. Any such non-church organizations will be known as a "Community Partner."
Shared Responsibility:
Each participating church shares in the responsibility of the ministry in three aspects: leadership, manpower, and finances.
Leadership:
Each Partner Church will be responsible to provide a spiritually mature individual who has a heartfelt commitment to the ministry to serve on the Board of Representatives.
Manpower:
Each Partner Church and Associate Partner Church will be responsible to encourage their members to participate as missionaries in the ministry. Each church will therefore provide adequate and consistent exposure to the ministry in the ongoing life of the church in order to encourage participation by members in the ministry. Such exposure should include:
An annual presentation by the STEP Staff to the Deacon, Elder, or Mission Board of each Partner and Associate Partner Church. A presentation by the STEP Staff to each church body at least once per year. Regular access to a church periodical (newsletter, bulletin, etc.) regarding the ministry.
Finances:
Each Partner and Associate Partner Church will make a financial commitment to the ministry on an annual basis that will form the basis of STEP's operating budget.
STEP Ministry Staff:
A professional ministry staff will be retained as is deemed necessary by the Board of Representatives. The primary purpose of the staff will be to train, motivate, coordinate, and support the lay missionaries in order to facilitate the goals of the ministry.
