The following post comes from field coordinator for CBF Tennessee, Terry Maples.

At a gathering of CBF leaders a while back, moderator Keith Herron noted that in the first twenty years of CBF’s existence we focused primarily on fellowship (true to our name). In this next window of time, he suggested the focus must shift to another significant part of our name: cooperative. I think he’s on target!

This need to focus on cooperation and what’s in the best interest of the Fellowship community reminds me of two stories I heard several years ago. I think the truth expressed in both of them will aid our journey toward becoming more cooperative.

The first story was about a horse-pull in Canada. One horse pulled 9,000 pounds and another managed 8,000 pounds. Together, we would expect them to pull around 17,000 pounds. Not so! When yoked together, the two horses pulled 30,000 pounds!

The second story highlighted the conquest of Mount Rainier by nine physically challenged people. One of the climbers had an artificial leg, one was an epileptic, two were deaf, and five were blind. Despite these challenges, the nine successfully ascended and descended the 14,000-foot mountain. When asked how they managed such a feat, one climber said, “We had a lot of help from one another.”

I believe these two stories communicate to you how much we too need this new focus on cooperation and collaboration in the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. If two horses can pull 76% more weight together than they can alone, just think what any grouping of committed people can accomplish if they all pull together—in the same direction—at the same time. Our “pulling potential” combined with the power of the Holy Spirit creates powerful synergy.

Like the mountain climbers, we in the Fellowship community need to support and encourage each another. The journey of faith does not thrive in isolation. When we “help one another” in a genuine spiritual community, we can accomplish great things for God.

You’ve probably seen the old cartoon of the mules tied together so neither could reach food. After a period of straining against each other, the mules (despite their stubbornness) finally realize if they cooperate, both of them can eat from one food supply then move together to the other.

To me, this sounds much like what is happening with the implementation of CBF’s new organizational structure. We acknowledge assets throughout our fellowship. In this new era, we will intentionally and innovatively work together (collaborate and share financial, people and expertise resources) to accomplish more for the kingdom. As a result, our state and regional organizations gain strength and national CBF greatly expands its global impact. The symbiotic relationship we’ve envisioned becomes reality, and we know the joy and mutual benefit of living and serving together in community. Without a doubt, we depend on each other to survive and thrive!

As with anything new and different, there will be bumps along our path as we envision and employ new ways of working together and navigate sticky wickets like funding streams. But, if we cooperate and pull in the same direction at the same time we’ll model God’s ideal for relationships, experience the beauty of symbiotic relationships and reap great rewards!

Remember, “Two are better than one…for if they fall, one will lift up the other…a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). How much stronger is a cord comprised of all the states and regions, national CBF and our gifted partners. It’s time to embody all that the cooperative part of our name entails!