Practical Partnership Expectations:
Baptism: Partners are baptized believers (i.e. members of the Body of Christ) who have gone through the partnership class, and made a public partnership vow at an official Granite City Partner gathering. Those who are not yet baptized are encouraged to continue through the partnership process with the intent to be baptized at the next Baptism Sunday (Easter Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, and Sunday Preceding Thanksgiving).
Meetings: Partners are expected to attend Partnership gatherings. We will gather 2-3 times a year, for business and celebration. Business meetings may consist of agenda items such as passage of a budget, appointing of church overseers, mission updates, etc.
Tithes and Offerings: Partners are expected to give generously to the work of the church through their tithes and offerings. We do not see this as charity; rather it is an act of discipleship. We believe that God is working through his church to renew the whole world. Giving to Granite City is a part of helping advance that mission within our local sphere of influence and beyond.
Attendance: Partners are expected to attend weekly Sunday worship gatherings. If you’re in town, come worship. Partners are further expected to engage beyond simply Sunday attendance, e.g. participation in a Group, Life Transformation Group, or Ministry Team as they are able. We also encourage partners to prioritize Granite City participation; this may require some of us to reconsider the things in our lives that keep us busy.
Accountability: By virtue of their commitment to Christ and to his Church, should the need arise, partners agree to submit to the overseers and pastors of Granite City for loving discipline and care in dealing with sin and relational conflict.
Practical Partnership Privileges:
Spiritual Investment: Partners have priority access to direct discipleship from the pastors and other leaders within our church. We are committed to raising up disciple-making disciples of Jesus; this is how God’s church will be multiplied.
Voice: Partners are eligible to vote in church related matters, as well as hold official positions of authority (e.g. overseers, nominating committee members, etc.).
Priority Support: Partners receive priority for missions support and reserve funds for outside Granite City ministries as funds are available.
Care: Pastoral Care is provided as a ministry to all, according to the discretion of the pastors and their ministry values and priorities. It is our understanding that partners will naturally have easier access to pastors by virtue of their deeper investment in relationships and the mission of the church.
Celebration: As a partner we will annually celebrate what God is doing through the mission of our church together.