Occasionally, when the fellowships gather for a large-group celebration, part of the time is devoted to acknowledging new partnerships, such as when a new Summit Fellowship is formed, either by multiplication from within the community, or by a new association. Below is a declaration of partnership that we sometimes use to affirm the nature of our relationship.
~~~~~
Declaration of Partnership
All present are invited to participate.
PERSON 1:
Hear the words of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as he prayed for His disciples:
PERSON 2:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
PERSON 3:
As we have received the message of the gospel and participated in the glory bestowed by the Father upon those born again by His grace through Christ we stand in the presence of our God and His people to declare our partnership together.
PERSON 4:
We declare our partnership because we wish to declare our witness to the world
PERSON 5:
We desire to exhort, edify and encourage one another so that the body of Christ may be built up.
PERSON 6
We will reprove, question and admonish one another that the body of Christ be defended.
PERSON 7:
Ours is not a relationship of control, power and domination, but of cooperation, accountability and sharing.
PERSON 8:
We will share our experience so others may benefit from our mistakes and successes.
PERSON 9:
We will share our gifts, that we might strengthen one another where we are weak.
PERSON 10:
We will share our weaknesses, that we might be refreshed and strengthened.
PERSON 11:
We will share our vision so we may labor together for the good of the church in our city.
PERSON 12:
We will share our ideas that we might contribute to the inspiration and creativity of others.
PERSON 13:
We will share our burdens so we may not grow weary in well doing.
PERSON 14:
We will share our resources so none may lack.
PERSON 15:
We will share our faith so we may be encouraged together.
PERSON 16:
We will share our concerns so we may share each other’s sufferings.
PERSON 17:
And we will share our journey so we may press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.
PERSON 18:
Before Almighty God and these witnesses we declare our partnership in the work of the gospel. May we work together so those outside the faith may know that God has sent the Lord Jesus to prove that He loves them, even as He has loved the Lord Jesus.
ALL: Amen