Frequently Asked Questions
What is “Partnership”?
Partnership means developing a deep relationship based on friendship and service with a few organizations, with the ultimate goal of partnership being to bring glory to Jesus Christ. By forming two concrete partnerships, Blacknall will provide direction for congregation members who would like to be involved in the Durham community to serve together and encourage deep investment and transformation for both our volunteers and the partner organizations.
What about the organizations that are not partners?
Blacknall will continue to be involved with all of the existing community organizations through financial giving, the Great Day of Service, and other special events.
What if it doesn’t work out?
Most importantly, this is a prayer-centered experiment in faith. We are entering into partnership with specific organizations out of a belief that such relationships will lead us into deeper communion with our Lord Jesus Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that these partnerships will disciple and transform the heart of the congregation into more fully reflecting the heart of God. Yet it is certainly a real possibility that these first experiments in partnership will teach us as much through their failures as through their successes.
Blacknall entered into a Covenant Agreement with Interfaith Hospitality Network and Reality Ministries for a one-year partnership, which began in the fall of 2009. After one year, the pastoral leadership and members of the Durham Ministry Team discussed the partnership with our partner organizations over the previous year to discern how to move forward faithfully.
What does “partnership” look like?
- “Pass the Peas”: Blacknall has joined with Reality Ministries in hosting a wonderful evening of dinner, fellowship, and service as a part of Reality’s disability ministry. Twice monthly, a group from Reality comes to the Blacknall fellowship hall and Blacknall volunteers prepare and serve a home-made meal. It is an incredibly fun evening for everyone involved!
- Click Here to see additional examples of partnership and ways you can get involved.
