Friday, November 16, 2007

Avoiding Destructive Partnerships

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers, For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" - 2 Corinthians 6:14

Healthy leaders often partner with others to reach their goals. In fact, we live in an age of partnerships, both in the corporate world and in the church. Paul reminds us that nothing is more dangerous to a leader than an unhealthy or destructive partnership. Note several signs of a bad partnership:

  • The parties don't share the same values.
  • The parties don't agree on the goal.
  • One or both parties must compromise their convictions.
  • One party selfishly demands that the other surrender.
  • One party benefits and the other loses.
Good partnerships do not foster co-dependence or independence, but interdependence. Each party feels secure, is stretched, and enjoys synergy. The partnership multiplies the productivity of both parties.

- taken from "Leadership Promises for Every Day", John Maxwell. p. 256

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This really brings into light what we talked about on Wednesday. Now I know you guys have different point of views on the topic, but I'd just like to encourage everyone to look at what God recommends, as opposed to what us feeble humans recommend.


If you still strongly believe in missionary dating, it's all good since "Everything is permissible, but not beneficial" (1 Cor 6:12) =P

- Jono rbk (6,1)

Jon said...

when i first read this... i was like.. is this talking about.. RELATIONSHIPS?

then i read on and see that its more a general group of people rather than a specific.

From the list of things.. you can also apply that to a healthy relationship, whether it be with family, friends, and even relationships.

-Jon (2,2)

Anonymous said...

prayer prayer prayer.
Its good for people who are going to be in relationships and find out what each other needs and wants. To understand and believe each other. It even applies to large groups of people as well. As Jon says, we can apply to this to our daily lives and let it translate to a healthy relationship with others and to God.

I've been definitely praying for a significant other that will keep me strong in faith and actions for God. But in order to become a "perfect" partner, i must submit myself fully to God or else i would be kind of cheating (spiritually) against the significant other. I def want to be the best i can be for God and for her! Best thing to do : Just pray about it. =)

kim rbk(5,1)

Anonymous said...

*nods at kim's comment*
totally agree with that second paragraph.

and yea, this is something to be wary of. both for relationships and everyday friendships. for now nearly everyone i interact with are christian. It puts me at a standstill for evangelism, but i'm in no rush to get out of this habit. tho i probably should...

-drew rbk(2.2)