Reading the lineup is key to maximizing one's surfing opportunity. Having solid objects on land to line up and hold one's position is essential in light of the shifting nature of the ocean. Similarly, leaders within Christian Surfers need solid, unchanging principles to hold them in position so they can maximize their ministry opportunities. The Leadership Lineup features unchanging leadership principles to keep you, and the ministry you lead, in peak position.

Extract from Christian Surfers Foundations Training Unit 3 "Partnerships" from the Trainers Notes Brad was struggling. Not enough money, not enough leaders, not enough ideas, not enough maturity. Sure he was a good surfer and had the following of a group of local surfers including some of the young hot locals. Sure he had been thrust into leadership by the local CS group and more were coming than ever before. Sure his friends had said, "You're so well shaped for this." But in reality Brad was struggling. He was envious of the stability of his church ministries and some others he knew friends in. Brad needed more. He needed partners. But he didn't know where to look, what to do, how to approach them and he was increasingly feeling alone. 1.3.1 PARTNERSHIPS ARE NECESSARY "The quality and quantity of our partnerships will determine our effectiveness in God's kingdom." Tom Hackett The Kingdom of God is not established through any one person or organization. God has designed His church made up of each individual and organization to be multi-faceted in its gifting, motivation, calling, and yet it is to be interdependent. We function best and are made complete as we serve together. In order for Christian Surfers to realize its place in God's design, strategic partnerships are crucial at the staff level, location level, regional level and resource level. "If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together." African proverb "I can do things you can not do. You can do things I can not do. Together we can do great things." Mother Theresa "You can accomplish anything in life, provided you do not mind who gets the credit." Harry S. Truman "Together we are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of His body." 1 Corinthians 12:27 - Considering these quotes, does CS have everything it needs to complete its mission within itself? - What are some of the key partners we will need? Eg: Church, surfing organisations and industry, Christian mission agencies, Christian and non-Christian businessmen, family members of constituents, etc. 1.3.2 LEVELS OF PARTNERSHIP Not every partnership will look the same. Depending on the need and the depth of trust they will vary. - Think of some examples of each type of partnership relevant to your situation. Endorsement: minimal commitment to participate or contribute, merely giving one's name to something. Eg: local youth mission festival put on by another organisation seeks CS name attached along with a multitude of others; CS mission seeking validation for sponsorship proposal by including references of other organisations; local church attaches its name to CS program; youth agency seeks CS recommendation for a surfers discipleship school. Association: coming alongside to participate under the agenda of another partner who bears the major responsibility of resources and initiative. Eg: CS group lends support to a local community evangelistic venture set up by another church; CS asks local church to host a BBQ at its local contest; Alliances: sharing all resources to fulfil the mission, a partnership of equals. Maximum commitment to one another. Eg: CS works with Bible Society to produce evangelistic surfing materials together; combined outreach to pro surf event with a joint team of local churches and other agencies; local church includes CS on its leadership team as part of a united strategy to reach local surfing community; CS works with church planting agency to found a surf friendly church. - Outline the different levels of partnership that could be expressed in one of the following scenarios or define a current one you are dealing with. Local church partnership with local CS mission Endorsement: Church gives verbal support of CS mission by no sharing of resources or involvement Association: Church shares some involvement and resources in some CS activities that CS controls Alliance: Church and CS shape strategy together and share all resources to achieve the mission Cross Cultural mission with another mission agency Endorsement: Agency loans its good name as a reference to CS cross cultural mission and nothing else Association: Agency offers some advice and office space for CS to carry on its mission Alliance: Agency offers to process CS staff and share in the development of the mission CS and another mission agency base looking to form a surfer Discipleship Training School Endorsement: CS allows the mission agency base to attach its logo to DTS application form for surfer credibility Association: CS offers to help out with the mission agency outreach and supply some surf coaching for the mission agency students Alliance: CS plans with the mission agency about the shape of the DTS, supplies some of the training, shares the outreach phase at a CS base, promotes and sends its people to attend. 1.3.3 MAKING PARTNERSHIPS WORK "Behold how pleasant it is when brothers are living in unity" Psalms 133:1 Here are five factors that will help successful alliances: Make the strategic decision to partner at the highest executive level, and secure buy-in from all levels, especially the grass roots ministry leaders. To determine if a potential partnership is the right match, share your core values, ministry strategy, understand each other's core competencies, and check synergy in goals, technology, and target markets. Remember that an alliance is the highest of partnerships and is a serious agreement, not just a handshake over lunch. Where necessary, write up a memorandum of understanding to avoid misunderstanding, build in tangible commitments on both sides and be sure this MOU is circulated amongst suitable key leaders to approve. Be clear that you may still feel you are competing with a partner in some areas, while collaborating in others. This is a reality of life and ministry. Keeping the Kingdom of God foremost is essential. The most common cause of failed alliances is neglect. Both partners need to put in the time and resources to make the relationship work. Initially invest quality time (even days) to understand one another. Regular meetings then help keep it alive and on track. In addition, to keep an alliance healthy and profitable, make an individual leader responsible for results and put an infrastructure in place to support joint development and to deal with issues as they arise. 1.3.4 RESTORING PARTNERSHIPS Consider Acts 6:1-7 'Church Growth Problems' and the alliance of the Hebrew and Greek-speaking widow support. How was the partnership breakdown discovered initially? Vs 1 What action was decided upon to restore the partnership? Vs 2-3 What do you notice about the application of the action? Vs 3-6 What was the result of a restored partnership? Vs 7