PARTNERSHIPS

The definition of partnerships is an association of partners, or more accurately the relationship between the people that make up the partnership. A partner is a person associated with another ,or others, in some activity of common interest. It sounds relatively simple but can be the most complicated of all relationships. Yes, the connection, association, or condition that creates the partnership is the mode or way that a person is connected with others. A relatively simple partnership is between two people who both made a decision to do something or be mutually responsive for a defined time period. The interaction can be defined through conversation, documentation, or willingness. The fact is that each partner brings things to the partnership that the other (or others) do not have. The recognition and expectation of those differences is the key to all relationships including partnerships. There are many ways people and institutions are connected.

In a business setting an individual proprietor has a partnership with an individual supplier to purchase specific products at a specific price for a specific time period. In a personal arrangement, an individual with talent in cutting hair partners with an individual that cuts lawns and creates a barter partnership. In a marriage relationship, the bride and groom agree on a life-long partnership to live together, raise children, own a home together and other detailed expectations. In all societies there are partnerships with people and a government that define how they will live their lives. There are partnerships between large groups of people, such as political parties or large corporations. The larger the number of people involved in a partnership, the more complicated and difficult the interaction between the people involved become.

The reality of life is we each have many partnerships and are involved in group partnerships out of necessity. I have a partnership with the city to pick up my trash at a set rate so I don't have to drive it to a landfill. I have a partnership with other homeowners in an association to protect a neighborhood and quality of life. Unlike the wild West where a man and a gun decided things, we have partnered with other citizens to pay for a police force and a court system. That partnership means the consensus of the citizens become law and the police follow that direction, even if some of the citizens in the partnership do not agree. The submission of individual personal values and goals to the group majority is what makes partnerships increasingly complex as the number of participants grow. It is also what has produced the system we call politics, where representatives of like minded individuals speak for the groups within the partnership.

The alternative to being part of partnerships is that you would do everything yourself. It would require that no other people would ever cross your path and your lifestyle would include only those things that you had adequate survival talents in. As the population of the world no longer allows such existence, the wisdom of partnerships is the relationship requirements that must be learned. As silly as submitting one to another seems, Ephesians 5:21 says "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". The Bible is full of practical ways to do this. Ephesians 4:2 says "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love". I now have a need to drive a car but I can't manufacture one, or provide the fuel needed to drive it, let alone build the roads to drive it on. A hundred years ago that transportation need could be solved with a horse. Consider how many people, companies, government agencies and countries are now involved in my auto ownership, all partners in my transportation plan. These partners also erected speed limit signs that control the actions I can take on those roads that I share.

Your involvement in each of the many partnerships of life, voluntary or otherwise, should start with the recognition that your performance is critical to others. It should be closely followed by the knowledge that the performance of others is just as critical to you. Jesus suggested in Matthew 7:12 that "however you want people to treat you, so treat them". We now call it the Golden Rule, but it's an important part of partnerships. Influencing the group that you have partnered with as a corporation is up to you. Influencing the group you have partnered with in each level of government is up to you. Living your life so that all the partnerships of life you are involved with are successful is up to you. Despite the increasing complexities of life, the wisdom of partnerships is that the solutions to success have not changed. It's often called people skills, but I submit to you that viewing each one as a partnership is wisdom. How did you treat each person you came into contact with this month?

Recognition that each small part is as important as seemingly large parts keep us humble. Is the work of the airline mechanic any less important than the pilot? Should the honor given to each individual be different? The relationship between the people that make up the partnership includes mutual respect as a human being. The defined time period mentioned in the earlier definition is actually just one of the details that must be worked out for realistic expectations. You are free to choose most partnerships, but a surprisingly large and increasing number include you without your requested input. Your involvement with the various levels of government may be different if you recognize you are a partner. How many partnerships in your life can be better defined through conversation, documentation, and willingness? Jesus summarized the entire subject in Matthew 22:37-40. "And He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets".