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Principles of Effective Collaboration

Christian unity and the Billy Graham crusades.
Sterling Huston | Outcomes, Aug/Sep 2008

The Rev. Billy Graham has conducted evangelistic crusades and missions in 84 countries, on every continent, and in numerous languages around the world. The support of a wide cross-section of the church testifies to the validity of the collaborative principles that have gone into these events. This article will identify some of the principles that are essential for optimizing the collaboration of churches, parachurch ministries, and individual leaders around a crusade or mission. All of these involve a vision for kingdom goals, a servant attitude, a generosity of spirit, and a spirit of unity. Unity is a prerequisite to God's blessing in any spiritual endeavor, as the Book of Acts clearly illustrates (1:14; 2:1, 46-47; 4:24, 31-33).

1. Central to the Christian mission

The goal of the collaborative effort must be central to the Christian mission, as that mission is understood by the parties involved. This will establish a common ground on which all of the parties must agree if they are to support an effort. This is particularly essential in the work of evangelism, where the gospel is proclaimed. Though there are many differences in theology, ecclesiology, and methodology among various denominations, those who embrace an orthodox perspective of Scripture agree on the gospel and celebrate whenever it is declared broadly. In fact, churches that are not perceived as distinctively evangelical will often choose to participate because they believe that proclamation of the gospel is important.

2. Casting a bold vision

The goals of the collaborative effort must be bigger than what any of the parties involved believe they can accomplish alone. Each party may share the same goal, but not the same scope of effort or magnitude of vision. In a crusade effort, the vision is to reach an entire region with the gospel of Jesus Christ. A variety of evangelism methodologies may be used, but the primary focus must be the common evangelistic meetings in a public place. Churches and Christian organizations that have a spiritual burden for their cities and a desire to reach the larger population welcome this enlarged vision of declaring the gospel in a bold and significant way. It is this larger vision, necessitating that every church and organization do their part, that lifts people's focus from their own interests toward the ultimate objective.

3. Confidence in the method

The parties involved need a high expectation that the effort will succeed in reaching its goals, based on the past successes of the methodology or mission. The abundant evidence of God's blessing on Billy Graham crusades and missions around the world is strategic in lifting people's faith and expectation, and in motivating them to work harmoniously toward a common goal. The confidence people have expressed in the ministry of the Rev. Graham and his key associates, and in the proclamation evangelism model that he has traditionally used, elevates the participants' expectations for spiritual success through a united effort.