Are you a lone ranger or a partner? I know the question seems odd. Perhaps if you are like me growing up as a kid when I hear "Lone Ranger" there is a sense of adventure. Fighting bad guys, riding a really smart horse, Tonto and silver bullets. What could be more exciting? And then there is the other word partner. Partner seems boring. It makes me think of board rooms, suits and ties and frankly WORK. I would rather be like Lone Ranger than a partner. But then I read Philippians 2.19-24.
But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
Phil 2:19-24 (NASB95)
The Apostle Paul and Timothy were partners. They had a kindred spirit or more literally, "to be liked souled." They had the same life principles. They were partners. In ministry, as we serve in the church what makes for good partners. Let me suggest 3 attributes of a good partner. This should help us so that we can be good partners but also if we are looking for someone to come along with us, it will give us an idea of what kind of person we might want to look for.
A good partner has a genuine concern for the church (vs. 20). A good partner will be concerned about the ekklesia, "the called out ones." A good partner is concerned about the people. When we get to focused on buildings, budgets and programs we have missed the point. There will also be a concern for the mission of the church. Most definitely there should be a concern about the health of the church.
A second important attribute is that a partner seeks after the interest of Jesus (vs.21). If our interest is in ourselves, our preferences or our goals we are not a very good partner. I have often thought that a church business meeting can be the most godly or the most hellish event in the life of the church. It becomes hellish particularly when we seek any interest other than King Jesus.
A good partner has a commitment to serve (vs. 22-24). Timothy had a commitment to serve. Timothy served as a slave (vs. 22), he served as a son (vs. 22), he served as a friend (vs. 23). That is the kind of person I want serving with me.
So perhaps it would be useful for us to take a moment and evaluate. Lone ranger or partner, which are you?
