Collaborative Missional Leadership

CONTENTS:

Introduction 1

Chapter 1: Old Testament Foundations 7

Chapter 2: New Testament Principles 17

Chapter 3: Collaborating in the Great Commission 31
Case Study: Navigating Partnerships in Mission with Bambi 41

Chapter 4: Theology of Collaboration 45
Case Study: Creating and Sustaining Collaborative Ecosystems with Ruslan Maliuta 53

Chapter 5: Collaborating in the Modern Missionary Era 61

Chapter 6: A History of Collaboration in Bible Translation 75

Chapter 7: Ecumenical Collaboration 87

Chapter 8: Evangelical Collaboration 97

Chapter 9: Types of Collaboration 113

Chapter 10: Frameworks for Collaborative Efforts 123
Case Study: The Partnering Pyramid with Todd Poulter 135

Chapter 11: Creating Collaborative Relationships 139
Case Study: Partnering Advice with David Brooks 149

Chapter 12: Missional Friendship and Power Dynamics 153
Case Study: Patience and Perseverance in Collaboration with Russ Simons 165

Chapter 13: Missional Generosity 169
Case Study: Building Bridges from Local to Global with Peter Keep 183

Chapter 14: The Spirit of Collaboration by Susan Van Wynen 187
Case Studies: Collaborating in Bible Translation 199

Chapter 15: Creating Third Spaces 205
Case Study: Third Space in Practice 219

Chapter 16: The MESA Culture by David Cardenas 225

Chapter 17: Collaborative Missional Leadership by David Cardenas 235
Case Study: Paul, a Collaborative Mission Leader by David Cardenas 243

Bibliography 247

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kirk J Franklin (PhD, University of Pretoria) is a researcher, author, and speaker about leading in God’s global mission. He is married to Christine, and they have been members of Wycliffe Bible Translators for over 40 years. They live in Melbourne, Australia.

QUESTIONS TO THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
This book emerged from teaching at Melbourne School of Theology in a unit about partnering in mission and a request from Wycliffe Global Alliance. It addresses the need for fresh resources on collaboration in mission, integrating theology, history, and practice. I also reached out to and received contributions from International Partnering Associates and leaders within the Wycliffe Global Alliance. It was a collaborative effort in writing and producing the book.

2. What is distinctive about content of your book?
In today’s complex world, collaboration in God’s mission is essential. This book shows how Spirit-led, Scripture-shaped partnerships—built on trust, cultural intelligence, and shared purpose—reflect God’s nature and advance His Kingdom. Practical insights and case studies equip practitioners to move beyond transactions toward intentional, relational, and theologically grounded collaboration in mission.

3. Why is this subject important?
Collaboration in mission is a theological conviction informed by the triune God’s unity. Spirit-led partnerships marked by trust, reciprocity, and shared leadership replace paternalism. Despite challenges, honest dialogue and mutual discernment foster equitable, cross-cultural mission. This strengthens the mission agency, not-for-profit and church’s witness—making it more credible, unified, and responsive today.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
This book offers Spirit-led, practical strategies for collaboration in mission, emphasizing discernment over rigid models. It encourages creative responses tailored to each context, guided by Scripture and humility. Framed by insights from global consultations, its tools, questions, and stories inspire deeper reflection, shared stewardship, and fruitful participation

Collaboration in God’s mission is a biblical mandate and a practical necessity in today’s diverse and interconnected world. Collaborative Missional Leadership: The Art of Working Together in God’s Mission provides rich encouragement from Scripture, theology, social sciences, and real-world case studies for building partnerships that honour God and advance his Kingdom.
Drawing from biblical foundations, historical insights, and case studies, this vital resource offers churches, mission agencies, and charities practical tools and strategies for nurturing trust, navigating cultural complexities, and addressing power dynamics in mission contexts. Moving beyond transactional approaches toward intentional and
relational collaboration, the book empowers leaders to cultivate sustainable, Spirit-led partnerships grounded in a strong theological framework. Each chapter integrates reflections, contemporary applications, and thought-provoking questions, guiding readers in crafting meaningful, effective partnerships.
If you’re ready to embrace the art of collaborative missional leadership, this book will inspire and equip you to work together for God’s glory and the flourishing of his mission.

Kirk Franklin's timely book imparts helpful reflections on the theology, concepts, and practices of collaboration to further God's Kingdom. For churches and mission agencies reawakening to the value of working in close relationships, this book offers pragmatic methods and proven examples that help navigate the collaborative space. I highly recommend it!
Monika Kuschmierz, International Director of Scripture Union and Chair of the Forum of Bible Agencies International

The gospel is at its most transformative when it brings people from diverse backgrounds together to establish a New Creation. To that end, I highly recommend this resource.
Dr Jay Mātenga, Executive Director, World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission

In the Philippines, it’s maglakbay nang magkaagapay, ‘walking shoulder to shoulder’. Similarly, the Japanese term yorisô, ‘stand alongside’, emphasizes caring companionship. Such cultural idioms reflect a collectivist-society collaboration, and Franklin uses this to develop
mutually beneficial relationships that lead to effective missional engagement. I readily recommend this book.
Dr R. Daniel Shaw, Sr. Prof. Anthropology and Translation,
Fuller Theological Seminary/SIL International