Policy Framework for the Support of Medium and Long-term missionaries
“sent” from St Peter’s Church, Farnborough
Statement of intent:
The purpose of this policy framework is to enable the Clergy, Church Leaders
and the Mission Committee to support and help Church members as they explore
the call to full-time missionary work on a medium or long-term basis.
It also makes clear the basis on which St Peter’s Church will support and
finance mission workers.
The Mission Committee recognise that because of the diverse nature of individuals
and their Christian experience that there will be no one process of exploration
and preparation to respond to God’s call for mission service.
The pace of exploration and preparation will vary according to circumstances.
Before the Church takes on the responsibility of medium or long-term support,
the Church leadership should be convinced of the “rightness” of proceeding
by addressing the issues that follow:
The following checklists provide a framework to use when working with an
individual to consider their call to mission service and the Church’s responsibility
for support. It also sets out the commitment from St Peter’s Church
to individual missionaries who are members of St Peter’s Church.
| Stage 1. Exploration |
The person exploring mission service will be able to:
| 1. | Explain and demonstrate their Christian faith.
They will be clear about how they came to faith, what they believe and why? |
| 2. | Will have a current and systematic devotional life and
be able to demonstrate current ministry in the life of the Church and community. |
| 3. | Provide confirmation of suitability for mission service
through the views and references provided by Christian leaders and other
appropriate members of St Peter’s Church and other Christian groups with
which the individual has been or is involved. |
| 4. | Provide evidence that they have properly researched
mission and potential mission activities and considered appropriate support
structures. |
| 5. | Provide evidence that they already have an interest in mission and are actively supporting mission through prayer, contact with missionaries or mission organisations etc. |
| 2. Practical preparation |
An individual will provide information and evidence relating to the following:
| 1. | An understanding of the financial implications of mission
service and demonstrate personal involvement in seeking sources of funding. |
| 2. | Proper consideration to issues such as pensions, national
insurance contributions, tax, the letting or sale of property (if a home
owner) so that responsible citizenship within the Great Britain can be maintained. |
| 3. | Identified individual strengths and weaknesses, interpersonal
skills, professional or technical skills and Biblical gifts in considering
the type of missionary work that might be undertaken. |
| 4. | Be able to demonstrate self-awareness and personal maturity. |
| 5. | Proper consideration of potential health problems, which
could pose a difficulty or unacceptable risk in particular jobs or areas
of the world. |
| 6. | Consideration and evaluation of the necessary language
skills needed for the place of potential work, or the need to engage in appropriate
language study. |
| 7. | Consideration and evaluation of the appropriateness
for the individual to undertake Missionary or Bible College training as part
of their preparation. |
| 8. | The individual will provide evidence that they have
properly considered the implications of the call to mission work on their
immediate family and dependants. |
| 9. | The individual will demonstrate that they are prepared to take sufficient time to address the above points – and to review his/her calling in the light of the outcomes. |
| 3. Partnership, organisation and accountability |
Before embarking on mission service it is essential individuals understand
the need for partnership, accountability and organisation. St Peter’s
Mission Committee believes that this responsibility has to rest with a mission
organisation, national church, trust or properly constituted support group.
It is not practical, neither is it advisable for this responsibility to rest
with St Peter’s Church. St Peter’s has to ensure that the relationship
with missionary is one of support and partnership but not employment.
St Peter’s (through the Mission Committee and Clergy) needs to be sure that
in undertaking mission work, the individual is properly associated with a
missionary organisation, national church group or organisation, or has set
up a trust or ministry group for the purposes of accountability and to ensure
appropriate arrangements for handling financial support.
In exercising it’s pastoral responsibilities, St Peter’s working with the
prospective missionary should be sure of the following:
| 1. | The partner organisation has a sound Christian basis of faith. |
| 2. | That there are right and appropriate relationships with the national Church and local organisations. |
| 3. | That the mission partner is clear about it’s relationship with the sending Church. |
| 4. | The mission partner has appropriate organisational structures in place to ensure:
|
| 5. | The mission partner (as appropriate) has given due regard
to the assessment of risk. It has, as far as possible addressed the
issue of the health, safety, welfare and evacuation of mission partners. |
| 6. | The mission partner has identified with the missionary
an appropriate system for mentoring and spiritual support. |
| 7. | The individual and mission partner provides St Peter’s
Church with information to maintain Church interest and prayer support. |
| 8. | If the situation on the mission field changes significantly,
the individual is prepared to discuss these changes openly and honestly with
the Clergy, Mission Committee and relevant Church Leaders. |
| 9. | If an individual, for whatever reason, leaves a “mission organisation”, or ceases to operate through a trust or support group, they recognise that it is essential that support from St Peter’s Church is fully reviewed. |
| 4. St Peter’s Church |
In supporting a missionary St Peter’s Church will:
| 1. | Promote ownership amongst the congregation of St Peter’s
for the missionary and the relationship with the mission partner. |
| 2. | Provide appropriate financial support through an agreed
mechanism (probably the mission partner organisation). |
| 3. | Pray regularly for the missionary and the work they do. |
| 4. | Provide practical support and encouragement throughout the period of missionary service. |
| 5. | Circulate information and encourage support and interest from Church members. |
| 6. | Provide hospitality and sharing/speaking opportunities for missionaries during visits back to St Peter’s. |
| 7. | Properly review the support arrangements if there is
major change in the circumstances of the missionary or with the organisation
with which they have had partnership. |
| 8. | Support individuals for up to one year on the cessation
of long-term mission activity and provide appropriate support, counselling
and guidance during the period of repatriation. |
Policy framework prepared by Mission Committee – June 2003