PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK
Each generation is tasked with developing new and effective models of collaboration that invite students, the church, and all the various stakeholders within a system of theological education to collectively participate in the mission of God.
As we steward followers of Jesus who flourish in their vocations and engage in the work of partnership and collaboration, the focus is on working with others to make known the Kingdom of God. It’s not about what we “own,” or who we are. We seek to discern and follow the Holy Spirit and respond to the opportunities for partnership that appear along the way. In doing so, we discover others who have a shared heart for God’s work.
We have created a partnership framework that 1) helps us think through how we discern and implement collaborative initiatives or partnerships and 2) provides a continuum of partnership possibilities.
When considering potential partnerships, we engage in the process of discernment by asking the following questions:
In any potential partnership, we begin with a shared question: how does this partnership align with the mission and strategic direction of both Kairos and the potential partner? This is not about one side evaluating the other. It’s not about determining whether a partner is “good enough” to work with Kairos. Rather, it’s about mutual discernment—together asking, “Where is God already at work among us, and how might we be invited to join that work together?”
We speak of “strategic direction” rather than “strategic plan” because we are not trying to manage outcomes or predict the future. We are listening—together—for the Spirit’s leading. In these conversations, we explore how the callings of our communities resonate, overlap, or even challenge one another in fruitful ways. We refer to these as questions of strategic alignment, and we approach them with open hands and attentive hearts.
When there is resonance in mission and direction, we then consider the practical realities of collaboration. Here, the question becomes: Do we have the shared capacity to walk together well? Can we support one another faithfully and responsibly?
This isn’t about fitting a partner into our systems, but rather working together to understand what is needed and whether we are equipped to meet those needs—relationally, operationally, financially, and structurally. We call these questions of systems alignment. At their heart, they are about honoring one another through thoughtful planning and shared clarity, so that the partnership can be a blessing rather than a burden.
Finally, we reflect on what it means to sustain a partnership over time. Partnerships are not one-time decisions; they are living relationships. So we ask: How will we walk together in ways that are intentional, formative, and fruitful?
This is not simply about oversight or reporting—it’s about stewardship. We want to ensure that partnerships begin well, are supported meaningfully, and are shaped by ongoing learning. We refer to these as questions of stewardship alignment. In asking them, we are reminded that all of this belongs to God. We are stewards—not owners—of the relationships, resources, and responsibilities entrusted to us.
The questions listed above help the Kairos community discern where God might be leading in terms of partnership and collaboration. As Kairos has grown and taken shape, we have learned that partnerships with other kingdom-minded ministries exist on a continuum. On one end of the continuum a partnership becomes more like a union and on the other end it is a commitment to sharing resources, processes, or personnel.
Below is a brief description of the three primary categories on that continuum.
Legacy partners are institutions that have ceded management and governance to Kairos University. Like a school within a university or brand within a larger company, legacy partners become part of Kairos University. Their heritage, unique identity, and stakeholders are preserved. Legacy partners join Kairos because they feel the best way to fulfill their mission is to partner with a community committed to a similar vision.
Contextualization Partners blend their independent governance and identities with shared Kairos resources—like courses, degrees, and human resources—to craft accessible, affordable learning experiences. Each partner customizes its engagement, leveraging the Kairos Project to fulfill its mission. These partnerships preserve autonomy while embracing collaboration, creating innovative pathways that serve both students and the organizations themselves.
Finally, Operational Partners are related to many of the back-office functions of education. In some cases, it means sharing costs with another organization or working together to provide a service to students. In other cases, it means finding ways to reduce costs by sharing services or software packages.
