Belay Partners Nurture Unity
Keeping an Eye on the Compass of Unity

Paul Durbin • Lead Pastor
July 26, 2026

3 Minute Read

Belay Partners Nurture Unity

If you're sailing the open seas under a cloudy sky, it can be hard to know which direction you're going. That's why every ship has a compass. One look, and the crew knows whether they're on course or need to make an adjustment.

Church life can feel the same way. With ministry developing, relationships forming, and outreach happening, it's easy to lose track of whether things are going as they should. Even when everything looks fine on the surface, how do we really know if we're a healthy church?

Is there something on board that can tell us? Something that cuts through the fog and shows us if we're still on course?

There is. It's called unity. Unity is the compass of the church—and a healthy church is one that walks in unity.

It's what Jesus prayed for:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:20–21 (NIV)
It's what Paul told us to protect:
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

Notice the language — make every effort. Unity doesn't just happen. It has to be nurtured and protected.

In other words, unity isn't the absence of contention — it’s what we contend for.

Conflict is bound to happen. Any time real people do real ministry together, feelings get hurt, lines get crossed, and misunderstandings happen.

Yet as those conflicts arise, we make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Jesus gave us the playbook:
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Matthew 18:15 (NIV)

Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say to vent to your friends, post about it online, or quietly pull away. He says to go — directly, humbly, privately — and work it out. That's how unity gets protected. That's how a church stays healthy.

Check the Compass

When we nurture unity, we're checking the compass. We're asking: Are we still walking together? Are there fractures to mend? Conversations to have? Forgiveness to offer? A partnership that never checks the compass drifts. A partnership that checks it often stays on course.

Keep Us Pointed True

Belay Partners nurture unity. Not because we expect everything to be smooth, but because we know unity is worth the effort. When Partners guard the unity of the church, we’re staying true with the compass—and the whole ship keeps heading where Jesus is leading.

So let's keep watch. Let's do the hard work of reconciliation when it's needed. And let's stay united, so the world may believe in Him.

Next Post in the Partner-Ship Series:
July 25, 2026
Belay Partners Embody

Every ship flies a flag — a symbol of who it belongs to and what it stands for. In this post of our PARTNER series, we look at how Belay Partners embody the vision, mission, values, and beliefs of the church, letting the world see who we are and Whose we are.

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From this Collection: Partnership
August 11, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Why Partnership?
Why Does Belay Have Partnership? It's a fair question. Why go through the trouble of formalizing something like partnership? Can't we just love Jesus and show up on Sundays? We could. But here's why we think partnership is worth it — and why we think you'll want to be part of it. 1. It Honors Our Spiritual Family Belay is part of the Assemblies of God — a global family of churches with a rich history of Spirit-empowered ministry. One of the things the AG asks of every church in the family is that we have a voting partnership (or "membership"). It's a simple way of saying, "The people of this church have a real voice in this church." We think that's healthy. And we're glad to belong to a fellowship that asks for it. 2. It Shares the Leadership Right now, as the lead pastor, I carry most of the decision-making authority at Belay. That's not ideal — and honestly, it's not biblical for the long haul. The New Testament church was led by teams, guided by the Spirit, and shaped by the voices of God's people. Partnership creates a way for more people to step into real, meaningful leadership. Partners vote on key decisions. Partners have a direct voice to the pastoral team. Partnership is how we move from "one pastor deciding" to "a church discerning together." 3. It Deepens Our Discipleship Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo sport. From the very beginning, He called people into a community that expected something of each other. Partnership names those expectations out loud. When you become a Partner, you're saying, "I want to pray, assemble, resource, take initiative, nurture unity, embody the vision, and respond positively — and I'm willing to be accountable to my church family for how I'm doing." That kind of accountability isn't a burden. It's how we grow. So… Why Partnership? Because it honors our spiritual family, shares the leadership, and deepens our discipleship. It's not about joining a club. It's about saying, "I'm in. I'm all in. Let's build this thing together." If that sounds like something you want to be part of, I'd love to talk. Grab me after a service, or reach out anytime.Partnership

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 31, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
What is a Belay Partner?
What is a Belay Partner? Wondering what it really means to be a PARTNER at Belay? Here’s what it’s all about in one sentence: A Belay Partner is a follower of Jesus who makes a formal commitment to Belay—to personally invest in its vision, actively engage in the life of the church, prayerfully support its leadership, and willingly share in both its responsibilities and blessings. Belay PARTNERs: For a more complete picture of partnership, we can use the letters of PARTNER, and say that Belay Partners: Pray Partners pray regularly for the church, its leadership, people, and ministries. Ephesians 6:18; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 Assemble Partners assemble regularly with the church—attending officially scheduled worship services, contributing to life-giving fellowship, and engaging in corporate worship. Hebrews 10:24–25 Resource Partners resource the church financially through the faithful giving of a generous portion of their tithes and offerings. 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–15 Take Initiative Partners take initiative to serve the ministry of the church—discovering, growing and using their abilities and spiritual gifts to bless others. Acts 1:8; Romans 12:3–8; 1 Peter 4:10 Nurture Health Partners nurture and protect the health and unity of the church by seeking reconciliation and resolving conflict according to the biblical model. Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 1:10 Embody Partners familiarize themselves with, actively support, and personally embody the church’s vision, mission, values, and beliefs. Isaiah 30:8; Habakkuk 2:2 Respond Positively Partners respond positively to all partnership responsibilities detailed above and in our bylaws, and shall remain willing to help meet needs and serve as opportunities arise. Ecclesiastes 4:9–12; Acts 6:1–7 Next Steps If you’d like to take the next step or simply learn more about partnership, take a look at the articles below and/or simply reach out. I’m always happy to grab coffee or chat after a service. Pastor PaulPartnershipAssembleResourceTake InitiativeNurtureEmbodyRespond

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 30, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Pray
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Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 29, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Assemble
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Paul Durbin

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July 28, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Resource
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Paul Durbin

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July 27, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Take Initiative
Belay Partners Take Initiative Belay is not a cruise ship. It's a Partner-ship. A cruise ship is designed to meet your every need. You pay for a ticket, step on board, and the crew works around the clock to keep you comfortable, fed, and entertained. You're a passenger. A guest. A customer Sadly, a lot of churches function that way—and a lot of church-goers fully expect them to! But when you enter a Partner-ship, something clicks: you're not a passenger. You're the crew. That's what taking initiative is all about. It's every Partner waking up to the reality that the ship doesn't run itself, and that God has placed each of us on board with something to contribute. Peter said it plainly: "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each of you. Not just the pastors. Not just the "super-Christians." Every Partner has been given something—and that something is meant to be used. Every Partner Has a Role Paul makes the same point to the Romans, using the picture of a body: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." Romans 12:4–6 (NIV) Every crew member on a ship has a role. Some adjust the sails. Some navigate. Some cook, clean, repair, welcome new passengers, or keep watch through the night. No role is unimportant, and no role can be skipped without the whole ship feeling it. The same is true here. When Partners take initiative — discovering their gifts, growing in them, and putting them to work — the ship stays healthy, responsive, and ready for whatever's next. Initiative Is Powered by the Spirit Taking initiative isn't about gritting your teeth and volunteering for everything. Jesus told his disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV) The Spirit is the one who empowers us to serve. Our job is to be available—to step up, lean in, and let Him use what He's already put in us. Take Your Place on the Crew Belay Partners take initiative. Not because we're trying to earn anything, but because we've realized the truth: we're not passengers on someone else's cruise. We're the crew of a Partner-ship on mission with Jesus. So find your place. Discover your gifts. Grow them. Use them. And let's sail together toward everything God has for us. Next Post in the Partner-Ship Series:Nurture Health

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

Currently Reading
July 26, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Nurture Unity
Belay Partners Nurture Unity If you're sailing the open seas under a cloudy sky, it can be hard to know which direction you're going. That's why every ship has a compass. One look, and the crew knows whether they're on course or need to make an adjustment. Church life can feel the same way. With ministry developing, relationships forming, and outreach happening, it's easy to lose track of whether things are going as they should. Even when everything looks fine on the surface, how do we really know if we're a healthy church? Is there something on board that can tell us? Something that cuts through the fog and shows us if we're still on course? There is. It's called unity. Unity is the compass of the church—and a healthy church is one that walks in unity. It's what Jesus prayed for: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me." John 17:20–21 (NIV) It's what Paul told us to protect: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) Notice the language — make every effort. Unity doesn't just happen. It has to be nurtured and protected. In other words, unity isn't the absence of contention — it’s what we contend for. Conflict is bound to happen. Any time real people do real ministry together, feelings get hurt, lines get crossed, and misunderstandings happen. Yet as those conflicts arise, we make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Jesus gave us the playbook: "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." Matthew 18:15 (NIV) Notice what Jesus doesn't say. He doesn't say to vent to your friends, post about it online, or quietly pull away. He says to go — directly, humbly, privately — and work it out. That's how unity gets protected. That's how a church stays healthy. Check the Compass When we nurture unity, we're checking the compass. We're asking: Are we still walking together? Are there fractures to mend? Conversations to have? Forgiveness to offer? A partnership that never checks the compass drifts. A partnership that checks it often stays on course. Keep Us Pointed True Belay Partners nurture unity. Not because we expect everything to be smooth, but because we know unity is worth the effort. When Partners guard the unity of the church, we’re staying true with the compass—and the whole ship keeps heading where Jesus is leading. So let's keep watch. Let's do the hard work of reconciliation when it's needed. And let's stay united, so the world may believe in Him. Next Post in the Partner-Ship Series:Embrace

Paul Durbin

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July 25, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Belay Partners Embody
Belay Partners Embody Every ship flies a flag. That flag tells everyone watching who the ship belongs to, where it comes from, and what it stands for. As we keep building our Partner-ship at Belay, embodying is like flying a ship's flag. As each Partner embraces our vision, mission, values, and beliefs, we become a ship sailing under the same flag. And here's the thing about a flag: it doesn't just fly over the captain. When you step on board, every Partner sails under it. Paul put it this way to the Corinthians: "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:2–3 (NIV) People are reading us. They're getting their sense of who Belay is—not from a website, logo, or a pastor’s sermon—but from the Partners who walk out the front door every Sunday and live on mission. Know What You're Flying You can't embody what you don't know. God told Habakkuk: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." Habakkuk 2:2 (NIV) That's why Partners take time to actually understand Belay's vision, mission, values, and beliefs.About Us Live What You're Flying Knowing is step one. Living it is step two. James said it like this: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22 (NIV) A flag that doesn't match the crew it flies would feel like a deception. Imagine a pirate ship flying the flag of a mercy ship! But when a Partner's life lines up with the heartbeat of Belay, our flag—the embodiment of our values in the life of a partner—becomes a symbol of hope to world that needs it. Raise the Flag Belay Partners Embody. Just as a ship raises its flag, Belay partners familiarize themselves with, actively support, and personally embody Belay's vision, mission, values, and beliefs. Embody the vision. Raise the flag. Next Post in the Partner-Ship Series:Respond

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor

July 24, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
Belay Partners Respond Positively
Belay Partners Respond Positively A ship can have a strong hull, full sails, a stocked storeroom, a skilled crew, a clear compass, and a raised flag — but without a rudder, it can't turn. The rudder is small compared to the rest of the ship. But it's the piece that determines where all that other stuff actually goes. A ship without a working rudder just drifts wherever the wind and waves take it. As we keep building our Partner-ship at Belay, responding positively is like the rudder.
It's what keeps us steer-able. It's the willingness of every Partner to say, "Yes, Lord — wherever you're taking us, I'm in." James actually uses this exact picture: "Although [ships] are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go." James 3:4 (NIV) Notice who's doing the steering — the pilot. On Belay's ship, the pilot is Jesus. Our job as Partners isn't to grab the wheel. It's to stay responsive — and say "yes" — to the One who's at the wheel. What Does Responding Positively Look Like? Partners Respond to the Responsibilities They've Agreed To. When you become a Belay Partner, you're not joining a club. You're agreeing to a way of life together — praying, assembling, resourcing, taking initiative, nurturing unity, and embodying our vision. Responding positively means we keep saying yes to those things, even when it's not convenient. Jesus says to: "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37 (NIV) A Partner's ready yes means something. It's what allows Belay to keep moving forward. Partners Respond to Needs as They Arise. Ship life is unpredictable. Storms come. Supplies run low. Someone gets sick. A rope breaks. It wasn't in the plans, but somebody has to respond. The early church ran into exactly this kind of moment in Acts 6, when widows were being overlooked in the daily food distribution. The apostles didn't ignore it, and the church didn't shrug it off. They responded — quickly, humbly, and together. "Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them." Acts 6:3 (NIV) Notice what happened next: "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly." Acts 6:7 (NIV) When the church partnership responds to needs, the whole mission moves forward. Every time a Partner responds to a need, it's a small adjustment of the rudder — and the whole ship benefits. Stay Responsive Belay Partners respond positively. Not because we're obligated, but because we trust the Pilot. We know that a ship that responds is a ship that stays afloat and accomplishes its mission. So let's stay responsive — to our commitments, to the needs around us, and to the gentle turns of the Spirit. A rudder may be small. But what a difference the rudder of a responsive partnership makes! Other Posts in the Partner-Ship Series:Partnership

Paul Durbin

Lead Pastor