3:1 PARTNERSHIP FAQ

A key Factor to  3:1 partnership’s core mission is to facilitate understanding among Church leaders from diverse backgrounds and contexts. As you go through these important questions, you’ll see that we’re not simply here to provide answers. We’re committed to jumpstarting the process of understanding and interpretation.

Inside the FAQ, you’ll find clear and direct answers (A) to specific questions (Q). But we go a step further by offering in-depth insight (I) and cultural context (C). Our aim is to ensure a deep understanding of our mission and values, because we believe this approach not only clarifies matters but also fosters meaningful connections within our Partnership.

We strongly believe that every question is valuable, but its impact can vary significantly depending on cultural context. Frequently, the questions we encounter are influenced by the cultural background and perspective of the person asking, which may not always align with the complexity and sensitivities of another culture, sometimes inadvertently causing offense. This disconnect can be a substantial challenge when trying to bridge the gap between churches from vastly different cultural worlds.

In some instances, questions framed in traditional church planting settings may come across as insensitive to the challenges faced by ministries in inner-cities, potentially casting doubt on the effectiveness of their work. A key goal of 3:1 is to empower the experienced community in these neighborhoods to establish and communicate metrics for health in our context.

Within our partnership, we aim to serve as translators and interpreters, fostering mutual understanding and connection among these diverse communities. Guided by Proverbs 4:7, we firmly believe that wisdom and understanding are the most valuable assets in facilitating effective communication across various contexts in the kingdom.

Q: What factors determine the funding amount granted to a church?

A: We are not a granting organization but a broker of relationships and resources, connecting churches and organizations with capable leaders. Funds go directly from organizations to underresourced communities.

I: Rooted in the Acts 6 model, our approach addresses inequity within the church. When concerns about fair distribution arose, the apostles acted to ensure the needs of the poor were met. We see our role as bridging gaps and fostering connections.

C: Funding discussions in church-planting movements, especially between majority andminority communities, are often complex. The disparity in access to substantial resources canfeel biased or discriminatory. Without sensitive mediators who understand these dynamics, suchconversations can cause offense. We encourage using us as mediators to navigate these challenges.

Q: How can a church initiate the application process to receive funding?

A: It encompasses recruitment, an application procedure, training, and the establishment of connections. After individuals have completed this process, they will be sent out with resources as God provides partners and support.

I: One distinctive aspect of our approach is recruitment.  We firmly believe that acknowledging and affirming individuals’ gifts represent a pivotal initial phase in this process. We prioritize affirmation before application. Our experience has demonstrated that the application, training, and eventual release of minority culture leaders flows much more seamlessly when they feel seen, affirmed, and have someone to guide them through the process.

C: Historic issues and lingering wounds have left many minority leaders facing rejection across various domains, including the church planting movement. When this movement is conceived with a majority culture context in mind, the application process can unintentionally sideline leaders who possess the perfect qualifications for inner-city leadership. A prevailing experience among inner-city leaders is that they are pre-judged and rejected even before they apply. Regrettably, this has led to heightened offense and division, unless the process prioritizes relationships and is designed to connect individuals through recommendations that pave the way for applications.

Q: What support services will be provided to assist supported churches in achieving financial self-sustainability? Is the achievement of financial self-sustainability among the supported churches a primary objective, why or why not?

A: We will assess, train, and hold accountable each leader to develop a creative mindset and explore multiple avenues for sustainability, including bi-vocational roles, entrepreneurial initiatives, non-profit ventures, and support-raising. We believe all of these approaches can be legitimate means of achieving sustainability in an inner-city context.

I: Self-sustainability is a multifaceted issue that requires a nuanced understanding, especially when considering different contexts. In more prosperous communities, achieving financial independence may be a realistic goal, but it poses unique challenges for missionaries in under resourced areas.

While we strongly emphasize the importance of responsible financial stewardship and accountability, pinpointing a specific biblical standard for “self-sustainability” is challenging.

Although we don’t view self-sustainability as an absolute biblical mandate, there are valid reasons why church planting movements often strive for it. This includes fostering growth, ensuring prudent financial management, and aligning with the community’s specific financial circumstances. However, we caution against hastily pursuing self-sufficiency, especially in the context of inner city church planting.

In inner city church planting, achieving self-sustainability through regular tithes and offerings is often not feasible. Instead, long-term creative funding approaches are needed. It can be beneficial to set aside strict sustainability timelines and instead focus on collaborative partnerships, measuring how investments are used, rather than simply on the return on investment.

C: While we may not be able to fully convey the profound pain associated with this question in the confines of this FAQ sheet, we earnestly request an open-minded approach to understanding its origins and complexities.

Certainly, biblical teachings consistently acknowledge the enduring tensions between the rich and the poor, emphasizing that the love of money can lead to various societal sins. Money competes for our affections and can lead some to feel superior while making others feel inferior. Caring for and connecting with the poor are fundamental biblical mandates that every church, network, and movement must wholeheartedly embrace and address.

It is widely recognized that marginalization and poverty are often closely intertwined. The complex social and political dynamics within our communities, contributing to the categorization of certain neighborhoods as inner cities, defy a simple answer to the question, “Whose fault is it?” We must collectively acknowledge the injustices and inequalities our nation has witnessed and participated in to even begin to grasp the significance of this mission field for the church.

We advocate for the use of the 3:1 partnership as a trusted mediator in this relationship so that conversations about money can be handled with the right care and consideration, devoid of control. Our goal is to bridge the gap and serve as interpreters between churches, fostering trust as the primary currency and preventing money from becoming a barrier that hinders leaders from entering the room as family.

Q: Is it possible for supporting churches to allocate their donations to specific recipient churches?

A: Yes, we ask supporting churches to send monthly donations directly to the specific church.
Yes, we ask supporting churches to send monthly donations directly to the specific church.

I: This support should be seen as a missionary partnership, sending trusted pastors into ministry.It’s important to avoid attaching typical expectations and recognize these communities may needmore time to become “sustainable.” We serve as interpreters, encouraging gifts without controlor metrics.

C: Cultural differences around money often create tension, with resourced churches feelingrepeatedly asked for more support. Our role as mediators helps ease this tension, fosteringauthentic and organic partnerships.

Q: Is the 3:1 entity solely a funding source, or does it engage in other nonprofit activities such as curriculum development or training?

A: The 3:1 Partnership is a nonprofit organization that acts as an intermediary, collaborating with various entities. Our primary focus is nurturing the community, providing training, facilitating recruitment, and creating a fund to support the planting and revitalization of churches in inner city communities.

I: This approach draws inspiration from a Galatians 2:10 model, with the goal of nurturing leadership commitment to church planting in diverse and impoverished communities. In this biblical passage, the need for someone with a distinct apostolic focus on caring for the poor is discerned, and it is recognized that Paul possesses unique gifts for spreading the gospel in these areas. With this in mind we desire to be a nonprofit that is collaborative, we believe that we can concentrate on these communities while becoming a supportive branch of other nonprofit organizations that aim to aid and establish inner city churches.

Q: What percentage of the funds received will be allocated to support churches compared to other initiatives like training?

A: All funds you send directly will go to the inner-city church.

I:
We ask your church or organization to consider donating to the 3:1 partnership to supporttraining, gatherings, and facilitating the partnership. We operate on a lean budget but pleaseconsider this operational expense if you feel led.

Q: Based on what criteria will priority be given to church plant support? (Possibilities: need, target community, minority leadership, effectiveness, potential, relationship, etc.)

A: We prioritize multiple equally important aspects—Community, Empowering Minority Leadership, Relationships, and Effectiveness in Ministry. These priorities work together to propel our mission, ensuring equitable support for under-resourced communities.

I: While there is benefit to a structured and straightforward approach, our unique context introduces complexities that require us to address multiple priorities simultaneously, each carrying equal significance. This is not an attempt to evade a question but rather to emphasize that we have multiple priorities that we consider equally important in achieving our objectives.

Q: Beyond financial contributions, what does involvement in the 3:1 fund partnership entail?

A: Embracing the principle of “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” we aspire to have this financial support be seen as both a privilege and a source of joy for all parties involved, benefiting everyone. Beyond providing financial assistance, we are committed to establishing intentional spaces that naturally cultivate symbiotic relationships across our partnership. In these spaces, leaders from both Three-Side and One-Side communities view each other as valuable collaborators in the shared mission of spreading the gospel.We actively encourage the laity to participate in inner city mission initiatives, aiming to deepen our collective impact. These opportunities will be presented as invitations rather than mandates, fostering genuine relationships and advancing the work of the kingdom. Furthermore, we extend invitations to One-Side leaders to join and contribute to events, training sessions, and networking opportunities hosted by other partner churches.

Q: What can supporting churches expect to receive from the supported churches? What can supported churches expect to receive from the supporting churches?

A: Both sides will have established commitments, ensuring mutual respect, cooperation, and a spirit of servitude. These commitments will guide the partnership, with a practical approach that prioritizes effective communication, celebrations, and active engagement to promote strong relationships within our partnership.

I: Our aim is to foster transparency without making the partnership feel transactional. We envision that clear commitments, ongoing communication, and natural collaborative spaces will facilitate both giving and receiving among all members of the partnership. Furthermore, we envision organic ways for individuals to form friendships and collaborate on projects.To establish genuine relationships within our partnership, we will take a practical approach. Firstly, we will prioritize effective communication, ensuring that everyone can easily share stories and updates. We will create opportunities for face-to-face meetings, virtual gatherings, and conferences to facilitate personal connections. Additionally, we will celebrate individual and collective achievements, encouraging a spirit of celebration to strengthen our bonds. Ultimately, our commitment lies in active engagement to nurture strong relationships within our partnership.


Q: How does 3:1 Partnership receive budget?

A: Our mentors, faculty, and leadership are all staff in-kind, supporting the movement while
keeping our operational budget lean. Our goal is to raise $100,000 annually to advance the
movement and host events.

I:
We ask your church or organization to consider donating to the 3:1 partnership to support
training, gatherings, and facilitating the partnership. While we run on a lean budget, please
consider this operational expense if you feel led.


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3:1 Partnership

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