Partnership
WHY PARTNER WITH ENGEDI?
There are three primary reasons for formally partnering with Engedi:
The concept of church partnership is implied throughout the New Testament
(Philippians 1.3–6, Ephesians 4.11–13).
Christians clearly identified with a specific local body and were challenged to be active participants.
Partnership is helpful to our church leaders as they seek to shepherd the Engedi flock.
Those who choose to partner with Engedi will be identified as under our care (John 21.15–17).
Our partners comprise a core that can be counted on to build and sustain the ministries of the church (1 Peter 4.8–11). As commanded in Galatians 6.10, partners receive priority in the allocation of finite church resources.
Partnership benefits individual believers (Acts 4.32–35, 1 Corinthians 12.7–12).
It moves us from good intentions to committed participation. We hope partnering with Engedi will serve as a milestone in your lifelong journey of following Christ.
CRITERIA FOR PARTNERSHIP
- Confession of a personal experience of salvation through Jesus Christ
- Experience of Christian baptism
- Agreement with Engedi’s mission and beliefs
- Willing to live out Engedi’s practices
- Commitment to tithe or intentionally move toward tithing (give 10% of one’s income).
- Commitment to use one’s gifts to serve the church
- Commitment to be connected in CABLE Groups
- Commitment to maintain unity within the church where Engedi has undefined theological positions
- Commitment to resolving conflict according to Matthew 18
- Commitment to honor church leaders (1 Timothy 5.17–18, 1 Thessalonians 5.12–13)
BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIP
- Partners have the ability to influence key decisions of the church
- Partners can nominate partners to serve on the elder board and can themselves be nominated to serve as elders
- Partners take part in periodic meetings where matters affecting the church are discussed and feedback is invited
- Partners get advance previews of the vision and direction of Engedi
- Partners receive updates on what’s happening behind the scenes at Engedi
- Partners are given opportunities to pray more specifically for our leadership and staff
- Partners receive priority in the allocation of church resources
- Partners are encouraged and held accountable to actively living out their faith in Christ
LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE
POSITIONS
Partners
Staff
Lead Pastor
Elder Board
ROLES
Ministry
Management
Leadership
Governance
FUNCTIONS
Outreach and caring for one another
Equipping and coordination
Vision, direction, and teaching
Accountability and support
Candidates for Engedi’s elder board are nominated by Engedi partners. The candidates then complete an elder application and an interview with a nominating committee and are approved by our partners. Elders are elected to one three-year term and may serve an additional three-year term before taking at least a one-year break. Elders are subject to self and peer review annually.