In October, 135 leaders from 30 European countries gathered for 4 days in Spain to explore the theme of collaboration. The team from Ireland was 6 – 3 from Northern Ireland and 3 from the Republic. 

We listened, prayed, discussed, and reflected together over the few days around tables. We explored what the Apostle Paul teaches about collaboration in his New Testament letters, using lots of Bible passages to guide our reflections. Throughout the few days, we heard scripture read in various languages – Croatian, Italian, Swedish, Danish, and more. It was amazing to listen and hear the Word of God spoken in so many tongues! There was a great mix of personal reflection as well as team reflection in our country tables. 

A few takeaways for me were the significance of relationship and love in collaboration. I was reminded of the importance of relationships as the base of collaboration and partnership and sometimes this can seem slow and tedious but it is also so rich and rewarding. One of the speakers said, “we need to be in the kitchen together” – meaning we need to not only serve but be served and serve together, giving and receiving together! 

The passage in Galatians 2 shows a great example of conflict and disagreeing well to build on partnership and collaboration. How can we, as churches, leaders, and Christians, give more space and room to have healthy conversations around conflict? Collaboration and good leadership is courageous, humble, and truth telling. And isolation is an enemy of collaboration. So here’s to more hard conversations, laughter around a shared table, and partnerships for the Kingdom!