Better Together? Why Collaboration Might Be the Key to Your Church’s Renewal

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

The reality is that small churches are getting smaller. I know that’s a wide brush I’m painting with, but the decline and graying out of smaller congregations is something I see every week in my work. Some Christian leaders are calling for these churches to close their doors and hand over their buildings to newer church plants. I’m not one of them.

I believe that smaller churches still have incredible potential. They don’t need to close—they need to refocus. With a clear sense of their One Excellent Mission, and by strategically collaborating with other churches and organizations, these congregations can find new life and renewed purpose.

So the real question is this: Does collaboration make sense for your church?

Let’s explore the potential upsides, the risks, and a helpful checklist to see if this path is worth pursuing in your context.

The Pros of Collaborating with Other Churches or Ministries

Collaboration isn’t about merging identities or giving up your church’s mission. It’s about strengthening your impact by sharing the load. Here are several benefits that make this model worth considering:

1. Shared Resources Multiply Ministry Potential

Smaller churches often have limited staff, volunteers, or funds—but combining resources with another congregation or organization can open doors to ministries neither could accomplish alone. From youth programs to food pantries, shared space and people power go a long way.

2. Broader Community Impact

Two (or more) churches working together can serve their community in a deeper and more coordinated way. Collaboration expands your reach, brings more credibility to your efforts, and demonstrates Kingdom-minded unity.

3. Revitalized Energy and Vision

Isolation breeds fatigue, but partnership can breathe life into your ministry. Exchanging ideas, praying together, and dreaming as a team often brings fresh enthusiasm to leaders and congregations alike.

4. More Specialized Ministry Opportunities

Collaborating churches can assign ministry leads based on strength and gifting. One may handle children’s outreach while another focuses on local mission projects—everyone brings their best to the table.

5. Support for Pastors and Leaders

Ministry is heavy, especially when you’re leading a small congregation. Collaborating with other leaders brings mutual encouragement, accountability, and shared leadership burdens.

6. Visible Unity in Christ

In a fragmented world, working alongside other churches sets a powerful example of unity. It shows your community that Jesus is at the center—not competition, ego, or tradition.

The Cons of Collaboration (and How to Navigate Them)

Of course, not every partnership works out. Here are the most common pitfalls and challenges that need honest reflection:

1. Loss of Autonomy

Collaboration requires compromise. Your church won’t have the final say on every decision, and that can be hard—especially for congregations used to full independence. You may have to check your egos at the door. Remember the mission trumps everything and discipleship fixes everything.

2. Clashing Visions or Doctrinal Differences

Not all churches agree on theology, ministry style, or decision-making processes. Without alignment on core beliefs and values, collaboration can become confusing or divisive. Be sure to have a clarified agreement on what you are sharing and what you expect of each other to fulfill the shared mission.

3. Uneven Participation

Sometimes one partner ends up doing more of the work—or carrying more of the cost—than the other. When roles and expectations aren’t clearly defined, resentment can build.

4. Mission Drift

If collaboration becomes more about activity than mission, you may lose focus on making disciples. Be careful to stay anchored in your purpose, not just the partnership.

5. Slower Decision-Making

With more people involved, decisions can take longer and require more meetings. You’ll need patience, good communication, and strong leadership to keep things moving forward. Creating a Leadership Team made up of all participants equally is a great way to speed the process up.

6. Fatigue from a Poor Fit

Sometimes, the partnership just doesn’t work. It may have seemed like a good idea, but over time, mismatched values or goals can create burnout rather than renewal. It’s a good idea to enter into a collaborative partnership for a specified time period with the option to renew at the end of the period.

Should Your Church Collaborate? A Simple Checklist

Here’s a quick diagnostic tool to help your leadership team evaluate whether or not collaboration makes sense in your season of ministry:

✅ Are we struggling to sustain key ministries or maintain our facilities?

✅ Do we have a clear, gospel-centered mission we’re trying to fulfill?

✅ Are we open to sharing leadership, resources, or visibility?

✅ Do we have trusted relationships with other churches or organizations in our area?

✅ Have we identified mutual goals or complementary strengths?

✅ Are we willing to prioritize unity in Christ over institutional preferences?

✅ Can our leadership commit time and energy to nurture a collaboration?

✅ Have we clarified what success looks like in a shared ministry setting?

If you checked 5 or more, collaboration might be a key strategy for revitalizing your church’s mission.

Let’s Talk About a Path to Renewal

You don’t have to go it alone—and you don’t have to give up your church’s identity to find fresh momentum. Collaboration, when done intentionally and prayerfully, can be a powerful pathway to renewal.

If your church is at a crossroads and considering how to become a healthy, mission-focused congregation again, I’d love to help. I offer coaching and consulting for smaller churches that are exploring fresh models for ministry—including collaboration, micro-church expressions, and mission alignment strategies.

📩 Email me at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com

🌐 Or visit www.smallchurchcoaching.com to schedule a free discovery call.

If this article sparked new ideas for your church or encouraged you to think differently about your ministry future, I invite you to follow me on social media for more practical tools and encouragement:👉 Facebook | Leadership Edge for Smaller Churches Group | X/Twitter.

Feel free to share this article with others who might be exploring new ways to keep the mission of the Church front and center. Let’s walk this journey of renewal—together.