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Book Comments View others' ideas and responses to the book Well Connected here. This is gem of a book which will transform the way we conduct any kind of ministry in Africa. I work for African Enteprise as a Pan African Missions Director. I plan to use all the principles which are well articulated by Phil Butler who got the mind of Christ to write this most valuable book. It will difinetly help me to build lasting partnerships in our mission to evangelize the cities of Africa through Word and Deed in partnership with the Church. This book will be my most valuable resource as I develop partnerships in the cities of Africa. Many thanks to Phil for his obedience to write such a hands on book. S. Chibambo Practical, resource-rich help fo networks and partnerships! Well Connected: Releasing Power, Restoring Hope Through Kingdom Partnerships by Phill Butler Well Connected has proven to be a powerful tool for inspiration, evaluation, and growth for our organization--the International Council of Ethnodoxologists (a network of Christians involved in encouraging culturally-appropriate music and arts around the world). Our organizational DNA is permeated with the value of collaboration, so this book really speaks our heart language! In our board meetings this year, we are systematically examining the principles of effective networking and partnerships laid out in Well Connected; we rejoice to see that much of what we're doing is hitting the bull's-eye. We're also receiving insightful and practical suggestions for improvement. Especially helpful for us was Phill's clear definition of the relationship between networks and partnerships – we see now that our network has given birth to a number of effective partnerships; some project-oriented, some long-term. If our network is healthy, these partnerships will continue to form.
In short, this ground-breaking volume is a "must read" for those who are ready to take seriously the scriptural principle of the interdependence of the body of Christ and who desire to truly collaborate with others to see the Church at its most effective. Phill is right – "working together is God's idea." Well Connected puts "hands and feet" on this great idea, offering insight and realistic help for those with a vision for kingdom collaboration. Real jewels in the Well Connected book I am finding some real jewels in the Well Connected. You have achieved a creative and enabling resource. You make few assumptions, and answer many of those unspoken questions. I have read some similar material, but nothing as comprehensive, interactive, and spiritual. I am very grateful for the biblical insights for God's Design. And for reminding us all of the potential benefits from partnership vs the individual endeavor, where we so often have failed. I was subliminally rehashing my recent experience as a consultant to an African church hospital association, US-funded health contractors in Iraq, Christian NGOs serving Burmese refugee camps, Ethiopian universities developing mid-level health worker training, and the fragmentation of volunteers, NGOs, the UN, etc in…post-tsumani situation(s). D.B./Seattle "Well Connected" is truly a library of learning when it comes to knowing how to build relationships. I have benefited from Phill Butler's input into my life 12 years ago when he taught on this subject to a group of students at Bethel Seminary, St Paul, MN. That summer's crash course of kingdom partnerships really influenced my ministry - to where our Mission statement changed to: "We bring people together in the Spirit of Christ to accomplish what God wants to do in our city." And as Phill says, "And the journey continues." Soon I will be starting a couple of "R and D" groups here in Sacramento. These "reading and dialogue groups" will be focused on "Well Connected" over six sessions of "R & D." We'll have one group for pastors and another for non-pastors. The hope is with Marketplace people and pastors reading and dialoguing the same concepts, there will come forth a stronger and unified focus for our city-region. Please pray with us to that end. Thanks! J W, Sacramento, CA I just wanted to say THANK YOU for writing this book. I'm only a couple chapters into it, but I am so grateful that somebody has written the book that I've been looking for for years! I am a youth ministry network coordinator in Pennsylvania (we affiliated with the National Network of Youth Ministries - www.youthworkers.net). I am passionate about seeing the body of Christ work together and I believe it is the number one thing missing in the church today. I will send more thoughts to you as a get more into the book, but I just wanted to say again how thankful to God I am to find someone who has studied and written about the passion that God has put on my heart. TD/Uniontown Applying to Our Situation To see our valley "reached for the Lord", to see the believers united and alive, and to see the Lord's hand here; we will undoubtedly need to apply the partnership principles of the Well Connected book. What Has Happened So Far. There have been people praying for this valley for years: believers have driven or walked up and down the roads praying; some of the men have gathered on higher locations where they can see much of the valley to pray and enjoy an outdoor-cooked breakfast. Bible study-type groups have been started over the years. There have been a few outreach events. We have been meeting at our house for almost two years to pray for this valley with an average of about 7 attending who are from groups 1 and 2 above for the most part. At this point, there seems to be a good attitude among the believers and a willingness to work together. There is some enthusiasm for a vision to see the Lord working greatly here in this valley. What Comes Next. We will continue praying. We hope to continue communicating with the known Christians in the valley and encouraging unity. Eventually there could be meetings to explore working together. Hopefully the Lord will guide us and give me ideas as I read the book. Get a taste for yourself "We can’t say enough good things about Phill Butler and the ministries he has launched and inspired. Get a taste for yourself through several chapters of this book posted at ConnectedBook.net." Mission Catalyst Book Review I love how accessible the book is. “I love how accessible it (the book) is to both those who are new enthusiasts of networking and partnership as well as those who are seasoned members of steering committees of existing partnerships. I am recommending the book to the steering committees of the several networks and partnerships with whom I consult as well as in the Perspectives classes I teach. We just finished this year’s gathering of the W Connection which I facilitate and I was reminded again how desperately we need this resource as a constant reference if we are to grow into the fullness of impact the Lord intends for us to have.” MS/Washington The issues and guidelines in this book are very important "Let me PR the book by saying the issues and guidelines in this book are very important for us as we move forward in seeking to set up better networks and partnerships. So please plan to read this book." DW/Seattle Must read and study "I have just finished reading your new book "Well Connected." This is a wonderful, masterful book. It should be a "must read and study" for any person or ministry that really is serious in fulfilling the Great Commission." T.A./Georgia Loftily goals down to the earthy workdays "You brought the loftily goals down to the earthy workdays of us who contact God's people who have yet to hear the quiet voice beckoning us to work together in love and unity of purpose to fulfill the Great Commission." JG/Chicago Everything you need to know Everything you need to know about hands-together and about hands-on for Christ's kingdom. Some people look at our world and ask 'why?' Phill Butler looks at the way our world could be and asks 'why not?' If the apostle Paul was ministering today, he would recommend this book. Leith Anderson Pastor, Wooddale Church Minneapolis, Minnesota If you are serious about partnerships, this book is for you Networks, partnering, and strategic alliances are hard to build but create incredible leverage. I saw Phill’s work in collaboration in partnerships first hand traveling through the Middle East; and it was amazing. Using his principles, we have been able to build partnerships in the inner city, creating a learning center, a youth center, partnering with the city, a Catholic church, the Hispanic community and the Korean Cambodian refugee community. We have created partnerships with other churches and organizations globally. Phill Butler’s book is a practical “how to” with exciting, real-life examples and the “why” behind it all. If you are serious about partnerships, this book is for you. Kenton Beshore, Senior Pastor Mariners Church, Newport Beach, California Phill writes from a deep reservoir of experience This is a book that many of us have been awaiting for a long time. I know of no one who the Lord has used more effectively in launching ministry partnerships that Phill Butler. Phill writes from a deep reservoir of experience as he has been used of God to launch literally scores of significant ministry partnerships around the world. No one is better equipped than Phill to provide this significant book for all of us to not only read, but to be led of the Holy Spirit to put the principles into practice wherever we minister. Paul Cedar, Chairman Mission America Coalition This work, based on years of experience, breaks new ground Building partnerships in mission is difficult. But it is one of the most practical ways to fulfill our Lord's prayer that His disciples be one so that the world might believe. Phill Butler is the best person I know to show us how to do it. This work, based on years of experience, breaks new ground and gives us invaluable orientation for the future. Everyone involved in mission should read and reflect on it. Paul Pierson, Dean Emeritus, School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Seminary A timely book! What a timely book! If you weren't convinced that collaboration and partnerships are powerful, you will now. If you didn't know how to make partnerships work well, you will now. This relevant book based on real experience will help all of us be better stewards of the resources God allows us to use in serving humanity in his Name. Robert C. Andringa, Ph.D. President, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities Helps me remove the "my" in my mission vision and make it an "our" vision for mission. I remember when an older Christian leader challenged me to rethink mission. He asked me to remove the "my" in my mission vision and make it an "our", vision for mission. From there we developed the standard for the Billy Graham Center- "we will do nothing alone if we can do it together". I rely heavily on Phill Butler's thinking about partnership and collaboration to carry out this Kingdom mindset. I'm so glad his book is completed. Now, I won't have to spend thousands of dollars to fly all over the world to hear him! Lon Allison Director Billy Graham Center Wheaton College In this book Phill has drawn a map all of us can follow Phill Butler was the first trail blazer for genuine partnership in the evangelical Church, and in this book he has drawn a map all of us can follow. From his influence on my campus working with faculty and staff, to teaming with him in the Lausanne movement, I have seen, up close, his ideas lived out in ways which make us all more effective in ministry through partnership. Phill’s expertise and insights help bring together the broad mix of God’s people, and he has taught us to stand on each others shoulders so that we can see over the horizon. Dr. Roger Parrott One of those very rare books which became an essential classic the day it was born. No one person in the modern history of missions has worked with greater creativity and relentless purpose or with greater or more strategic fruit for his labors. Phill Butler here collects and distills years of hard-earned insight into the all-important concept of totally autonomous entities joining forces in the most crucial of all human endeavors. This is one of those very rare books which became an essential classic the day it was born. Ralph D. Winter, General Director, Frontier Mission Fellowship Destined to make a significant impact on the work of contemporary Christian organizations. This book by Phill Butler is destined to make a significant impact on the work of contemporary Christian organizations. Mission groups and churches are discovering that God blesses cooperative efforts when those involved cease to be concerned about who is in control and who gets credit. Phill has extensive experience in facilitating collaboration among partners with a common objective without requiring a compromise of doctrinal convictions and relinquishment of resources. The kingdom of God throughout the world will not be established by “Lone Rangers” but the people of God working together. Phill Butler is to be commended for putting this useful guide into print; it is not theory but grows out of a lifetime of servant leadership Dr. Jerry Rankin, President, International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention Distilled wisdom that is so applicable to the ministry challenges of the 21st Century The 1990s was one of the most remarkable periods in the history of the spread of Christianity. It was a decade of the gathering greatest harvest of any since Pentecost. It was a decade also that for the first time gave us a full list of the world's peoples to be discipled. It was a decade of amazing cooperative effort to bring the Gospel to them. At the heart of this effort was the ministry of Interdev under the leadership Phill Butler which helped catalyze many regional, national and people cluster partnerships that so contributed to this harvest. It is from this worldwide strategic ministry that Phill has drawn to give us distilled wisdom that is so applicable to the ministry challenges of the 21st Century Patrick Johnstone Editor, Operation World Practical ideas and suggestions of how people and ministries can work together For years I have believed in and supported Kingdom partnerships. Partnerships that clearly define roles and outcomes increase effectiveness and reduce duplication. The stories and recommendations in Well Connected offer practical ideas and suggestions of how people and ministries can work together and have greater impact than if they worked alone. Hugh Maclellan Jr. President Maclellan Foundation Competition has become cooperation in some of the toughest mission fields of the world! Have you ever had to cope with letters or phone calls from many different mission agencies, all claiming to do the same kind of work in the same area of the world? Have you fretted and had to worry and pray about which one was the best stewardship of your mission money? Or, if you are in a mission organization yourself, have you felt guilty about seemingly being in competition with other agencies for donors? And not only that, have you felt that you were in competition with other agencies in the field? Have you wondered whether Christian agencies should be like different brands of cola, competing with each other? If you are either of these people, Phill Butler’s Well Connected is the book for you. Here’s a man who has actually gotten organizations to work together in teams overseas, each organization using its different talents and gifts to cooperate in planting the Church in a part of the world, and doing the work of ministry, in a manner truly worthy of 1st Corinthians 12 and 14. You will be relieved and rejoice to hear that competition has become cooperation in some of the toughest mission fields of the world! Don’t miss Well Connected, by Phill Butler. Howard Ahmanson President, Fieldstead and Company Well-Connected! is the how-to and the why-to book for this global revolution. Collaboration is the form of the future as networks replace command and control hierarchies everywhere. Increasing its one world – one body of Christ. Phill Butler, who I have known for years, is the reigning expert. Well-Connected! Is the how-to and the why-to book for this global revolution. It’s a must read.” Bob Buford Founder and Chairman, Leadership Network Author, Halftime and Finishing Well Brings a passionate, realistic and hopeful perspective to Christian partnerships. Phill Butler brings a passionate, realistic and hopeful perspective to Christian partnerships. He understands the challenges partnerships face and brings a wealth of experience and insight to understanding how they succeed. Well Connected! does not try to present a nifty superficial solution but instead communicates vision, wisdom and hope. For Phill, partnerships are about people, processes and prayer. As he states, we're made for partnerships, and God moves when we work together. I pray this book will inspire and aid many Dean Hirsch President, World Vision International The most successful ventures for our Lord: Marked by in-depth collaboration, partnership, and co-operation. A book that has been long-needed by those of us with a burden to keep on blowing out the borders in frontier missions! This is God's way! Jesus is lifted up instead of our labels! And, it really is more rewarding to build THE Kingdom instead of our own! I believe the most successful ventures for our Lord in the future will be marked by in-depth collaboration, partnership, and co-operation." Paul Eshleman Founder The Jesus Film Project Shows the rest of us how to multiply our individual loaves and fishes through working together here and abroad. It has been said, “The reason so few good books are written is that so few people who can write know anything!” That’s not the case with Phill Butler. For years he’s not only talked about the importance of partnering and collaborating for the kingdom, he’s done it while showing others the way with extraordinary results. Now this master communicator, and broadcast journalist turned missiologist, shows the rest of us how to multiply our individual loaves and fishes through working together here and abroad. This is a must read. Dick Staub Center For Faith & Culture, Broadcaster, & Author Phill Butler and partnership are almost synonymous Phill Butler and partnership are almost synonymous. For years, he explored, tested, and successfully implemented the biblical concept of partnership to advance the church's ministry. Follow Butler's law of kingdom collaboration and experience joy, unity, and release of power. This book is long overdue." Tetsunao Yamamori Author, Director Emeritus, Food For The Hungry, International Director, LCWE A practical approach when it comes to turning dreams into reality I have been impressed in my interactions with Phill regarding the concepts of Kingdom collaboration with partnerships in which we have both participated. Phill has a practical approach when it comes to turning dreams into reality… He is someone I trust in doing thorough research and development on these challenging topics. Steve Douglass, President Campus Crusade For Christ |
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