HIGH RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS COMMITTEE POLICY & PROCEDURES

Transcription

1 HIGH RIVER BAPTIST CHURCH MISSIONS COMMITTEE POLICY & PROCEDURES STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: To communicate Jesus to the world. We believe that all people have a need for a restored relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus instructed us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel and He promised the Holy Spirit to empower us to become His witnesses in High River (Jerusalem), in the regions across our land (Judea and Samaria), and to the ends of the world. VISION STATEMENT: 1. To foster a positive attitude towards missions by encouraging the whole church to be involved in learning about missions and missionaries, in prayer and praise, and dedicated financial support. 2. To responsibly allocate the Missions Fund. 3. To uphold accountability between missionaries, mission organizations and HRBC, as a positive and beneficial act for both the missionary and HRBC congregation. PROCEDURES: 1. FOSTERING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS MISSIONS a. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONGREGATION AND MISSIONARIES i. The Missions Committee will facilitate communication between the congregation and the missionaries/mission organizations we support, using different media, such as those listed below. ii. Communication to the Congregation: 1. Missions Bulletin Board in church foyer with world map of where our missionaries work, the work they do, and their praise and prayer items (To be kept current and organized). 2. Multi-Media Presentations (PowerPoint, video, etc.) that scroll through pictures of the missionaries with brief up-to-date highlights specific to each missionary, shown on the front screen before church services begin. 3. Church Website Missionary pages (To be kept updated). 4. Skype conversations during Sunday services. iii. Communication to the Missionaries: 1. HRBC Annual Report sent to missionaries. 2. Send care packages to missionaries. 3. pictures and written updates of HRBC congregation to missionaries. 1

2 b. MISSIONARIES ON HOME ASSIGNMENTS i. Hosting A Missionary: 1. The Missions Committee will work with the Hospitality Coordinator to accommodate visiting missionaries. ii. Introduction and Recognition of a Missionary to the Congregation: 1. A missionary may be recommended for casual recognition before the congregation during a Sunday service, by a Missions Committee member, an Elder, or a Pastor. iii. Presentations Given by Missionary/Mission Organization to the Congregation: 1. Approval of Presenter a. The Missions Committee will do a background check of the potential presenter to ensure the presenter supports HRBC s Statement of Faith, prior to making a recommendation to the Senior Pastor. The Senior Pastor will make the final decision. 2. Type/Category of Presenter a. Presenters are separated into two Categories: i. Presenter is not a part of HRBC Congregation, and has approached HRBC to present. ii. Presenter is a part of HRBC Congregation, OR HRBC Missions Committee has approached and invited Presenter. b. The type of presentation given during a Sunday service, and the time allotted to a Missionary Presenter is at the discretion of the Missions Committee. The following presentations may be given, depending on the Category of the Presenter (See points 3. & 4. below for explanations on the Type of Presentation): Type of Presentation Category i. Category ii. Short 5 min. Presentation Yes Yes Longer min. Presentation No Yes Preaching of Gospel from Pulpit No Yes Dedicated Missionary Presentation Event Yes Yes 3. Sunday Service Presentation Types a. Short 5 Minute Presentation ( Missions Moments ) i. A 5-minute presentation is given, that takes the place of worship songs during the service (*missions are a form of worship!*). These are formally called Missions Moments, and occur once a month on the third Sunday of each month. 2

3 ii. Presenter briefly introduces their mission, and concludes with an invitation (optional) to the congregation to another, dedicated for the missionary to share more in depth. (See point 4. Dedicated Missionary Presentation Events below). b. Longer Minute Presentation i. A longer time period is given to allow presenter to speak prior to the sermon, or in place of the sermon, at the decision of the Senior Pastor, according to the sermon schedule. This presentation may also include an invitation to another time dedicated to sharing more in depth. (See point 4. Dedicated Missionary Presentation Events below). c. Preaching of the Gospel from the Pulpit i. Missionary must be approved through the CBM/CBWC, or approved by the Missions Committee and Senior Pastor. ii. Sufficient time must be given for both the Missions Committee to meet, and the Senior Pastor to coordinate his schedule, prior to the presentation date. 4. Dedicated Missionary Presentation Events a. May be held during any different event/group wishing to host a Missionary Presenter (Sunday School, Awana, Care Groups, dessert night in a family s home, etc.). b. Presentation topic and length of time is open to however the Lord leads the missionary to share, and is to be agreed upon by both the missionary and the hosting group. c. MISSIONS FESTIVALS AND CONFERENCES i. The Missions Committee will set up Annual Missions Festivals to celebrate the various works of our missionaries, and encourage our congregation to be involved. ii. The Missions Committee will encourage our congregation to attend and become involved in any Missions Conferences held by CBWC, by keeping the congregation informed of such events. 3

4 2. ALLOCATION OF MISSION FUNDS a. WHO WE SUPPORT i. Priority for Support will be: 1. Church Member any long-term (Greater than 1 year) missionary being sent out (foreign or home-based) is required to be a church member. 2. Church Adherent 3. CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries) 4. Other ii. Approval of Support: 1. Approval for missionary support, both Short-Term (Less than 1 year) and Long-Term (Greater than 1 year), is at the discretion of the Missions Committee. (NOTE: Missionaries supported by CBM/CBWC are already considered approved and properly screened.) 2. The missionary must fill out the following relevant Application Forms prior to receiving support. a. HRBC Short-Term Missionary Affirmation Form b. HRBC Long-Term Missionary Affirmation Form c. HRBC Long-Term Missionary Reference Form b. HOW MUCH WE SUPPORT i. Long-Term (Greater than 1 year), Full-Time Missionaries 1. HRBC will support 25% of the required funding of Home-Grown missionaries (i.e. HRBC is their Sending Church). If the missionary does not need the full 25%, HRBC will pay what is needed for the missionary to have full support. 2. Outside missionary support is at the discretion of the Missions Committee. ii. Long-Term (Greater than 1 year), Part-Time Missionaries 1. Support will be pro-rated based on the time spent in missionary work. (for example, Full-Time = 25% support, Half-Time = 12.5% support) iii. Short-Term (Less than 1 year) Missionaries 1. Support will be determined on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of the Missions Committee 4

5 3. UPHOLDING ACCOUNTABILITY a. DEFINITION OF ACCOUNTABILITY i. Accountability is viewed by the Missions Committee as a very positive and encouraging process that should be desired by the missionary, mission organization, and the church congregation. ii. There are two areas of accountability expected of the missionary: 1. Reported (structure, time, finances, labours) 2. Reflective (fruit, results, outcomes) b. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A HOME-GROWN MISSIONARY i. Preparation for the mission field: 1. Show an excitement for where God is leading them, and build that excitement within the church congregation by sharing with them. 2. Complete a one-year Internship period with the sending church (HRBC), to allow for intentional observation of missionary by the HRBC Missions Committee. The internship includes: a. Conscious Mentorship i. Involves regular scheduled meetings with a chosen mentor. ii. The mentor is to be decided upon mutually by the Missions Committee, Mission Organization, and the missionary. b. Involvement in selected ministry/ministries in the church. c. Involvement in a practical position or role that is related to the field he/she is entering. 3. Completion of required HRBC Missionary Affirmation forms a. See point 2. Allocation of Missions Funds / Approval of Support above ii. While on the mission field: 1. Once a year, give a list of goals that were completed, partly completed, and not yet completed, as well as a list of goals for the next year. 2. Monthly Reports outlining Reported and Reflective details (as defined in 3.a.ii. above) that can be shared with the congregation. These reports should include a list of prayer and praise items. c. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE MISSION ORGANIZATION i. Before HRBC will support a missionary through a particular mission organization, the mission organization must: 1. Provide HRBC with their Statement of Faith 2. Arrange for HRBC to speak with the Mission Organization Administrator 5

6 3. Arrange for HRBC to meet with a Mission Representative from the Organization ii. In preparation of Missionary for the mission field, the Mission Organization is expected to: 1. Provide compete training of missionary for their role on the field. 2. Inform the church and the missionary of what they are required to do, and to provide to the organization, in preparation for the field. 3. Provide HRBC with complete information regarding insurance policies, contingency plans, and any information applicable to their given ministry. 4. Ensure missionary has valid documentation. iii. While Missionary is on the mission field, the Mission Organization is expected to: 1. Provide complete insurance coverage (Life, health) for missionary. 2. Have contingency plan in place for emergencies. 3. Communicate regularly with, and provide support to, the missionary. d. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF HRBC i. In preparation of Missionary for the mission field, HRBC will provide: 1. Pre-Field Debriefing Session involving the following: a. HRBC Missions Committee b. Mission Organization Representative c. Missionary 2. One Year Internship (Mentorship and Experience) a. See 3.b.i.2. above ii. When Missionary is on the mission field, HRBC will support the Missionary by: 1. Continued communication with the missionary. 2. Prayer Support. 3. Financial Support. a. Committed, regular support, and b. Spontaneous financial gifts, when needs arise, as the Missions Committee is led. 6