Stronger Together: Seven Partnership Virtues and the Vices that Subvert Them

by Dave Harvey

A vision of church partnerships that will elevate churches to greater gospel fruitfulness and enable them to thrive.

Networked churches are the primary church planting force in evangelicalism today--but what makes them so effective, why do they remain so under-appreciated, and what are the common pitfalls that can ensnare them?

I Stronger Together, veteran church planter and pastor Dave Harvey draws from his experiences and study of networks to walk Christian institutions, church leaders, and planters through tested strategies for starting and sustaining healthy and biblical church partnerships.

By focusing on key virtues and shedding light on the pitfalls that oppose them, Harvey unpacks seven dichotomies that offer a practical roadmap to healthy patterns:


Conviction vs. consumerism
Gifted leadership vs. isolationism
Collaboration vs. radical individualism
Renewal dynamics vs. institutionalism
A kingdom mindset vs. tribalism
Humility vs. egotism
Modesty vs. triumphalism
When churches are vitally connected to other churches, they thrive, multiply, and last longer. Scripture exemplifies this, and research proves it. Stronger Together--part of the Exponential series on ministry growth and discipleship--will teach you exactly how to pursue biblical collaboration that will allow your church to flourish and your ministry to grow.

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2023

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Dave Harvey is senior pastor of Covenant Fellowship Church (Glen Mills, PA), part of a family of churches called Sovereign Grace Ministries. He received his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Care from Westminster Theological Seminary. Dave lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Kimm, and their four children.

Reviews

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave makes a clear and compellingly biblical case for evangelcial connectionalism. He contends for the necessity of church partnerships that are rooted in the gospel and forged through humility, commitment, and shared mission. If you serve a network of churches in any capacity (as a church planter or pastor, a church staff member, a network or denominational employee, or even as a parachurch coach or consultant) you need to read this book!

[Jeffrey Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good thoughts on partnerships/teams. Below are some of my takeaways:


Partnership is a crucial piece to the puzzle of leadership longevity and mission impact.

Partnerships must be rooted in doctrinal conviction.

Partnerships are needed for a church planting movement.

Proud people don’t play well in the partnership sandbox.

Accountability doesn’t shadow innovation, it is essential to it.

The more gifted the leader, the more essential is the accountability.

Interdependence says we need each other, collaboration says let’s find a way to accomplish things together.

As the African proverb says, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

Ego seeks loyalty more than it does honesty.

The seed of egotism lies within each of us.

[Bradley Somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written for those who are thinking through the health of networks and how to cultivate better community within them. The perspective is from church networks that have joined together to plant new churches. There is much here though for ministry networks that are hoping to be on mission together. Lot’s to glean for pastors and leaders as to their own heart posture regarding their ministry and their place within a network.

[Josh Goossen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I also love the way Harvey writes. Super easy to follow along, engaging illustrations that always help me remember the lessons learned. This book comes from a lifetime of experience, so far be it from me to be less experienced and say ‘yea that’s not how it works…’

Looking forward to another book from Dave at some point as Ive finally read them all!

[Luke Roscoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for networks and network leaders! Not so much for the local church pastor though.

[Andy Ardern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with a group of pastors. Helpful for thinking through Churches working together, specifically for the values that should be present and avoided in healthy church partnerships.