Tips for Starting a Partnership

1) Assess the church.
Before even contacting a school, take inventory of your church. Are members already externally focused or would a sermon series help prepare members’ hearts? Who is available to serve and at what times? How do members want to serve? What resources and networks can they leverage to help students or teachers? What resources and networks can they leverage for the school as a whole?

2) Choose a school.*
To find a school near you, search for your address using our Searchable Map. You’ll then be able to see which schools are closest to you, along with basic demographic information of each school and whether or not the school already has a known partner. You can also choose a school where you already have a connection, e.g. a member is a teacher, several kids in your church attend the school, etc.

3) Set up a meeting between the Pastor and Principal.
In order for a partnership to be sustainable, the Pastor and Principal need to champion the partnership, no matter who eventually coordinates the partnership. Congregation members are more likely to commit their own time and effort if they know that top leaders are supportive. Thus, regular reminders and encouragement from church leaders are recommended, even if a lay leader heads up the partnership.

3a) Ask: “How can we help?”
A church-school partnership is a bit like a dating relationship: take time to get to know each other! Rather than jumping in with a list of resources your church can offer, find out what the school actually wants and needs. What are their dreams and goals for their school and their students? Don’t go in with an agenda; first ask and then listen. Also, be honest about what your church can actually offer. (Need ideas? Click here!) Be willing to move on if there’s no interest in partnering or If it’s not a good fit.

3b) Affirm and leverage resources.
As your church engages with a school, consider an approach called asset-based community development. ABCD focuses on assets versus needs and empowers schools to work alongside churches in their own development. Rather than the school depending on the church, both partners should work together to determine how available resources can be used to address the opportunities for improvement.

4) Designate a coordinator.
Once the partnership has been initiated, designating a volunteer or full-time coordinator increases the likelihood of an excellent experience for volunteers, students, and faculty, which in turn increases the likelihood of continued participation. (A church coordinator and a school coordinator would be ideal; depending on your church’s resources, the pastor could be the church coordinator.)

5) Be mindful of the separation of church and state.
Houston-area schools and school districts have been very receptive to offers to help from churches. That being said, churches still need to respect legal boundaries and district regulations. This article by Cynthia McCabe gives great insight and direction.

6) Commit to a long-term relationship up front.
Families and faculty in impoverished communities too often experience parachute charity (i.e. good works done by groups who parachute in but don’t stick around). This is damaging for everyone, producing mistrust in the community and compassion fatigue in those trying to help. Whatever community your school is in, be aware of your limitations, promise what you can deliver, and commit for the long-haul!

Once your school’s key opportunities are discovered, get started! Let us know if you have any questions.

*Note: Some districts prefer to take the lead in connecting community partners with specific schools. Check out our Search by ISD tabs for more information about partnering in your district.