The Purpose of the Village Bible Church Missions Program

Transcription

1 The Purpose of the Village Bible Church Missions Program Purpose Policies Issue 1 - The Scriptural Purpose of Our Church s Involvement in Missions Honor God To be actively involved in working toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20; Acts 1:8) To proclaim the Gospel of Christ (John 3:16) To make disciples To relate to the whole need of mankind combining both spiritual and physical Issue 2 - Our Definition of Missions The scope of the missions program is to reach beyond the ministries of Village Bible Church. Issue 3 - The purpose of the Missions Policy The purpose of the Missions Policy is to establish guidelines for the direction of the missions program. Maintain consistency in the Committee s purpose and goals as its membership changes Define clear lines of responsibility, accountability and authority for all missions program participants Facilitate communication and accountability between the Missions Committee, the church and its missionaries and mission agencies Maintain the fiscal integrity of the missions program. Issue 4 - Flexibility of Interpretation Exceptions can be made at anytime An exception will originate with and be approved by the Missions Committee. It should be approved by the Elder Board and finally by the Church Board. Exceptions, along with accompanying rationale, should be carefully documented to avoid establishing irreversible precedents, and to accumulate a basis for policy revision. Issue 5 - Revision of the Policy The policy will be reviewed and revised, by the Missions Committee, if necessary, one year after acceptance and every 3years thereafter. A revision will originate with and be approved by the Missions Committee. It should be approved by the Elder Board and finally by the Church Board. Revisions, along with accompany rationale, should be carefully documented to avoid establishing irreversible precedents, and to accumulate a basis for policy revision.

2 Issue 6 Authority of Missions Committee The Missions Committee is authorized to act in accordance with the stipulations of the church missions Policy. To insure accountability, all meetings and actions will be duly submitted through the Elder Board, and then to the Church Board. The Missions Committee will have authority over the: Development and administration of the missions budget to be recommended to the Church Board. Missions Conference Designated missions funds Evaluation and recommendation of missionaries for support to the Elder Board (Acts 13:1-3) Evaluation and recommendation of missions agencies Missions education in the church Issue 7 - The Manner of Selecting Members The Missions Committee will consist of one Elder, one Deaconess, and one member at large, according to the Church Constitution. Additional members will be recommended to the Church Board by the Missions Committee chairperson. Issue 8 Criteria for Selecting Members A committee member may be a non-member of the church, but the majority of the members shall be active or associate members of the church. The members of the committee will have: - A deep interest and desire to learn more about missions. - A willingness to work hard in a missions capacity - Have a healthy spiritual life. Issue 9 Size of the Missions Committee As set by the Church Constitution Issue 10 Term of Office One year as set by the Church Constitution Issue 11 Responsibilities of Each Member of the Missions Committee Attend the meetings Maintain a consistent prayer life (incorporating prayer for our missionaries on a regular basis), personal bible study, and exhibit characteristics of a mature christian life. Be familiar with the missions policy of the church. Attend missions events of the church Promote missions in the church whenever possible Issue 12 Frequency of Meetings Meet monthly

3 Issue 13 Officers and Manner of Appointment Chairperson shall be appointed by the committee and approved by the Church Board Issue 14 Subcommittees Reserved Issue 15 Long term Continuity Pending Issue 16 Duties of a Missions Pastor N/A Issue 17 Duties of the Missions Administrator N/A Issue 18 Responsibilities of the Missions Leadership Team The Mission Leadership team is responsible to mobilize the resources of the congregation for global evangelism by: Educating and inspiring the congregation in world missions, including: Recruitment of missions candidates Stimulating the church to prayer for missions and missionaries Oversight of missions trips and projects Administering missions funds and developing fundraising programs Keeping communications open between the church and: The missionaries The mission organizations Issue 19 Training of Missions Team Members The missions leadership team will educate each other in missions, facilitated by the Missions Committee Chairman. This includes sharing missions resources and reading, especially with new team members. All new team members will: Have missionary communications (written and ) made available to them. Become familiar with the missions policy. Become familiar with the missionaries and organizations we support. Attendance at ACMC and other missions conferences will be encouraged and paid for as fits our budget, availability, and applicability.

4 Issue 20 Goal Setting The missions team will set goals which are measurable and involve a step of faith. Prior to any goal being set, the team will seek God s wisdom and insight. One year and multi-year goals will be considered. Goal setting should be accomplished in May, with the flexibility to adjust throughout the year. We will strive to make age specific goals for the congregation in cooperation with the C.E. Committee. Issue 21 Developing Prayer Concerns Present news and needs from the pulpit, in the weekly bulletin, and in the Sunday School regularly. Encourage interaction between missionaries and congregation through letters, E- mails, and by personal interaction. Have a prayer coordinator who will collect and distribute news and needs of the missionaries to prayer groups or prayer chains. Schedule missionaries to participate in various church events, ministries, and groups to stimulate awareness and prayer. Issue 22 Missions Education in the Church Identify the missions education needs of the various groups within the church. Identify goals for the groups in terms of present church awareness and interest. Determine methods of education missions conference, bulletin inserts, missionary speakers, missions films, missions banquet, map with locations and pictures of missionaries, bulletin board with latest news and prayer requests from missionaries, and promote interaction with missionaries. Coordinate with the C.E. committee as applicable. Issue 23 Missionary Recruitment Have church leadership pray for God to raise up people. Specifically be on the lookout for young people with promise. Maintain a program to involve adults/teens in short term missions. Encourage individuals interested in missions to consider it as a vocation. Issue 24 Caring for Missionaries on the Field We will maintain regular contact with E- Mails, letters and visits We will encourage them by; s, Christmas Phone Calls, Missionary Christmas offering, pay of the pastor and his wife to visit, provide financial assistance to church families wanting to visit missionaries on the field, rotating support of different fund raising projects for Sunday School, Clubs and VBS. Issue 25 Missions Conference A weeklong missions conference will be held once a year. Issue 26 Relationships with Other Churches We will be open and available to work with other churches and their missions programs.

5 Issue 27 Caring for Visiting Missionaries We will maintain contact with our missionaries to know when they are home and care for them through the congregation. Issue 28 The On Going Education of Missionaries We will continue normal support for up to two years of study provided it is to be used in a service ministry that adheres to our policy and goals as well as that of the mission organization they are affiliated with This can be reviewed after two years. Issue 29 Visiting Missionaries on the Field We will encourage people from the church to visit our missionaries on the field through letters form the missionaries and financial assistance. Sending the pastor and his wife out every other year to visit the missionaries on a rotation schedule. An expense amount will be left for the missionary to cover cost of the visit. Issue 30 Responsibilities of the Missionary to the Church Missionaries who are considered supported by our church either financially or by any other means will be required to submit a yearly update. The update will include, Current Family, Mission Agency, Field of Ministry, Ministry Service, and updates concerning the ministry At least once during a full furlough visit the church. Are free to communicate with the church financial needs and matters. Issue 31 Short Term Programs We think that involvement in short-term missions is a high priority. This would include short-term trips for both youth and adult. Our goal will be to have a short term trip every other year for both adult and youth. Depending on the project this may be combined trip. We will encourage other missions organizations to present ministry opportunities as well. We will offer financial assistance to those who request it and meet the requirements. Issue 32 Criteria for selecting Candidates for Short Term Service Regular attendance at Village Bible or current church. (Example-Associate member.) A working interest and involvement in the ministry of the church especially in the area of service. Evidence of the Fruits of the Spirit and spiritual growth in their personal walk and relationship with God.

6 Confirmation of these from different leadership in the church (Sunday School teachers,youth leaders ect.) Application submitted to Mission Committee. Approval from the Missions Committee and Church Board. (Pastor sits on both) Issue 33 Summer and Project Workers See issue 31 Issue 34 Approval Procedure for Summer and /or Project Leaders See issue 31 Issue Local Intercultural Involvement We will encourage cross cultural involvement locally believing that involvement locally confirms call overseas and believing that God has given us the chance to minister to the world by ministering to people here and then go back to their home land. Issue 37 Doctrinal Requirements We have a statement of faith and ask that theirs comply with ours. We will check the missions agencies doctrinal statement Any differences will be dealt with during the interview process The fundamentals of the faith will not be compromised. They are- Financial Issue 38 Financial Support for the Mission Ministry Financial support will come from people who designate their offerings to missions. The money will be put in a separate designated fund. This allows people to make a conscious choice in their act of giving to missions. This allows the giver to build a connection with the missions program. The missions budget will be listed with the regular church budget but is paid for by designated funds from church members and attendees. Short falls during the year will be paid from the extra funds from the previous year. If more money is needed the need will be first presented to the church board and second a drop in support level(s) determined by the missions committee. Budget will be based on previous years budget. Surplus of funds will be carried over to the next year allowing half to three quarters of the next years budget totals to be used as a buffer. Any moneys after that can be disturbed by the missions committee to missions projects or missionaries with needs. Issue 39- Preparation and Approval of the Missions Budget Someone designated on the missions committee and approved by the missions committee will prepare the budget.

7 The missions budget will then be submitted with the regular church budget at the annual meeting and voted on by the membership. Issue 40- Financial Accountability We support agencies that meet the standards of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). We will support national organizations and workers who are affiliated with accountable organizations. Issue 41- Strategy for Distributing Funds Our highest priority is supporting members from our church We will allow a certain percentage to the following area of ministries Evangelism Church Planting Administration Unreached People Groups Support Ministries Technical Biblical /Educational In the following locations U. S. Ministries Latin America Europe Asia Eastern Europe Western Europe South Pacific

8 Africa Following Religions Mormans Jehovah s Witness Muslim Hindu Catholicism Issue 42- N/A Issue 43- Determining What Agencies to Support We will investigate the missionary and the agency doctrinal statements and philosophy of ministry, history and purpose before we will support either. Issue 44- Relationship between the Church and the Missions Organization We desire an informal relationship with missions organizations. We have the right to terminate an organization or missionary that refuses accountability to questions of finances or Biblical truth. Issue 45- Procedure for Selecting new Candidates to Support We will require a pre-selection questionnaire and interview. Agreement with church doctrinal statement Confirmed indication of salvation and call to ministry. Knowledge of own personal gifts and training verified by service in own church.

9 Be a member and accountable to a local church. Be recommended by someone we trust through a mission organization or church able to facilitate as an agency. Must fit into our chosen focus for world evangelism Issue 46-Establishing Partnership with National Workers and Organizations We will support national workers only through known and trusted organizations that can provide ministry and financial accountability. Support may be given nationals through missionaries we support. Develop a relationship with a sister church which is compatible with VBC in ministry and doctrinal statement Issue 47- Criteria for Considering Support Anyone seeking support must submit an application to the missions committee. Priority given to members, and then based on location and type of ministry service (see Issue 41). Agreement with doctrinal statement. Confirmation from missions committee or home church of calling and heart to serve. Must be approved by the missions committee and conformed by the Elder board. Issue 48- Amount of Support Allowable for Missionary Whatever the missions committee feels lead to support based on needs, location, and ministry with funds available within the approved missions budget service area. Issue 49-When Support Begins Financial support will begin when the missions committee demes appropriate. Issue 50 Support may be discontinued or suspended if the missionary resigns takes a sabbatical Is terminated by agency Fails to follow rules of the church in correspondence or accountability Differs with church doctrinal statement Is living in sin with out repentance The Lord comes Issue 51- Support of Families We will recognize the needs of the whole family when considering support for the missionary family Issue 52-Insurance Insurance will be the responsibility of the missionary or the agency Issue 53-Education of the Missionary Children N/A

10 Issue 54-Missionary Lacking Adequate Support Emergency Funds will be available upon approval of missions committee Pressing needs will be presented by the committee to the congregation for help needed beyond budgeted funds. Additional support will be considered the next budget year. Issue 55-Outgoing Expenses A special designated fund maybe set up as needed. Issue 56-Support for Students Preparing for Missionary Service N/A s Issue 57-Funding for Short term and Project Missions Line item in the budget will be designated for short term trips and projects. The funds will be handled by the missions committee. Candidates will be encouraged to raise own support Missions committee will work with CE and cooperate in supporting the VBC youth groups on trips. Issue Handling of Designated Giving and One Time Gifts A designated fund will be set up to distribute funds for special projects approved by the missions committee and the church board Issue Shortage and Surplus of Funds See issue Issue 63-Allocation for Missions Administration N/a Issue 64-Expense of Attending Conferences We will encourage members to attended by paying conference fee if funds are available Transportation cost will be depended upon location and need Issue 65-Honorariums for visiting Missionary Speakers The amount paid will be determined by the going rate set up in the budget under pulpit supply. The amount will be paid out of the missions budget during the missions conference. The amount will be paid out of the church budget if missionary is fulfilling pulpit supply All other occasions will be determined on an individual basis.