Long before I knew God was calling me to speak or write, I collected quotations. I thoroughly enjoy concise, wise, pithy, or poignant sentences that summarize a topic, issue, or principle. As we think about collaboration, consider these important words:
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller
“None of us is as smart as all of us.” Ken Blanchard
“Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” Mattie Stepanek
The call came from a major Christian publisher. Would I be willing to be a writer and the compiling editor for a series of five devotional books called Kisses of Sunshine? I was paired with several well-known authors to write these books for women, including moms, sisters, grandmas, and teachers.
In the next few months I learned a lot about collaboration:
- It’s much more fun to work on projects with someone else than it is to work alone.
- It takes less time to complete a manuscript when you have a co-author or co-authors.
- Projects are richer and have added value when you collaborate with the right person.
- Working with some people is difficult when they have a different work ethic than you do or when they aren’t willing to compromise.
Then a light dawned! Collaboration was about so much more than writing projects. It was about helping my peers promote their speaking topics and their book titles. It was about contributing to websites, blogs, and podcasts with other leaders who also wanted to point people to Jesus.
I realized that I might be the only person in my city who works in the type of ministry that I do—but I can connect with others via ZOOM or through coaching, classes, and conferences (like Speak Up)—and I’m not alone! That’s what our Growth Groups are all about!
When we generously contribute to the projects, conversations, books, websites, newsletters, podcasts, and blogs of others, our own ministries are blessed. Through collaboration we encourage each other as we lift up the name of Jesus.
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT).