Capital Partnership: is it actually a syndication?

[Tanner McGrew]

I currently have an LLC with a partner. I have found a couple deals that will require outside capital to make them work. (Our LLC would bring half, one other guy would bring half) Because of that we are looking to bring in another acquaintance of mine to be help fund the deal. From everything that I am reading, if we were to just take his money, and he has no day to day role in the deal, we are technically doing a syndication, as he would be considered a limited partner.

Every podcast talks about using partnerships and outside money. How do people do this without technically offering a security? Is the only way to make it a loan that is paid back with interest? 

Thanks 

Tanner