How Do You Feel About Partnerships?

If a church in our neighborhood expressed an interest in partnering with us to accomplish a common goal, how would you react?  In many ways, my answer would depend on the goal.  Let's say it's to feed hungry people.  What do you think?

 

Churches of Christ have traditionally avoided partnerships with other churches largely (based on my understanding) to avoid giving some sort of imagined, implied, or overt approval to doctrines or practices that differ from our understanding of the Bible.  I think this can be a valid concern.  We certainly don't want to distort the Gospel or leave people confused.

 

But is it acceptable to address issues within our community such as hunger and homelessness, massing more resources, more volunteers, more compassion, and more will than what we have on our own?  Is the bleeding victim on the side of the road to be left bleeding over doctrinal discrepancies?

 

You've probably guessed my bias, and I apologize for that, because I want this to be an open conversation where all points of view are valued and heard.  It's a conversation that I believe needs to happen, and it must be compassionate, patient, and loving.  But I guess I just need to share that I'm starting to see opportunities where we are greater together than apart.  We are already partnered with a nonreligious organization (PATH) to address our community's needs.  Is it dicier when we start talking about people who have so much in common with our beliefs?