7 Pivotal Decisions Churches Can Make to Work Together

Each month, I share seven pivotal decisions or practices designed to strengthen us as Christ-followers and help build healthier, more vibrant churches. This month, I want to focus on seven decisions churches can make to work together. I’m currently reading Radical Collaboration by Mark Hallock and Jeremy Conrad, and one observation they make really stood out to me: many pastors and churches are trying to do ministry alone—and the results have often been devastating. That rings true in a season when cultural pressure is rising, trust is declining, resources are stretched, and ministry feels more complex than ever.

At the same time, one of our greatest opportunities remains largely untapped: working together. Kingdom impact has never been about one church doing everything on its own; God’s design has always been for the Church—plural—to move forward together. Collaboration doesn’t happen by accident or good intentions alone. It requires intentional, courageous decisions from pastors and people alike. If we are going to move from isolation to cooperation—and from competition to true Kingdom impact—we must be willing to make those decisions.

1. Decide the Kingdom Is Bigger than Your Church

The first and most important decision is theological before it is practical: God’s Kingdom is bigger than any single congregation.

When churches begin to see themselves as partners rather than competitors, walls come down. The goal is not to build my church at the expense of your church, but to see the Gospel advance in our communities. When we celebrate what God is doing elsewhere, we signal that we trust Him enough to share the field.

2. Decide to Move from Competition to Celebration

Comparison is one of the quiet killers of collaboration. Churches stop working together when attendance, budgets, or social media presence become the scorecard. But when we decide to celebrate another church’s wins instead of feeling threatened by them, something changes.

3. Decide Relationships Matter More than Events

Real collaboration doesn’t start with joint services or big events—it starts with relationships. Pastors and leaders who pray together, eat together, and talk honestly together build the foundation for meaningful cooperation. Programs can be planned later. Trust must come first. Strong relationships make difficult conversations possible and shared ministry sustainable.

4. Decide to Share Resources, Not Just Ideas

One of the clearest expressions of unity is generosity. When churches decide to share resources—leaders, facilities, training, curriculum, or financial support—they demonstrate humility and mutual trust. No church has everything it needs, but together we have far more than we realize.

5. Decide to Focus on Mission, Not Method

Doctrine is important. It should be clear what we believe and we should be bold to proclaim truth. However, churches often agree on what they believe but divide over preferences. Working together requires the decision to focus on mission rather than method. Style, structure, and strategy will vary—and that’s okay. Unity does not require uniformity.

6. Decide to Speak Well of One Another Publicly

Few things undermine unity faster than careless words. Choosing to speak well of other churches—especially in public settings—builds credibility and trust in the broader community. It also sets an example for congregations to follow. When leaders model respect and honor, congregations learn to do the same.

7. Decide Collaboration Is a Long-Term Commitment

Working together is not a one-time project; it’s a long-term posture. There will be misunderstandings. There will be differences. Collaboration requires perseverance and grace. But churches that commit to long-term cooperation discover that the Kingdom impact far outweighs the inconvenience.

Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, not for their comfort, but so that the world would believe. When churches make these seven pivotal decisions, they don’t just work together better—they bear witness to a watching world.

Dr. Stan Parris
Senior Pastor, Franklin Heights Church
Executive Director, FHC Network
Director, FCMBA

You can listen to Stan’s podcast, Pivotal Decisions, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube and any place you find podcasts.