Church Connections

Tips for Sending Churches

SERVING AS SENDERS

For some pastors and churches, sending their own members to the mission field is a new experience. Learn all you can from what others are doing; read appropriate materials, ask your missionary for ideas they have gleaned from ministry in other churches, pray for wisdom, keep your missionary before your congregation. Read our review of the book "Serving as Senders".

ASSISTING THE PRE-FIELD MISSIONARY

The following ideas are gathered from a variety of source to aid you and your church as you assist your missionary during their pre-field ministry.

  1. Personal Ministry on their behalf:
    1. Meet with them regularly as schedules permit for progress updates and prayer. Help them establish goals, be aware of financial needs and how they will be met (debt reduction if applicable), transportation during pre-field (must have a reliable vehicle).
    2. Make periodic phone calls or send notes of encouragement when they are away.
    3. Encourage them to call when encountering difficulties or if discouraged.
    4. Set up an accountability program to report progress:
      • Ask for a copy of the Monthly Ministry Report and Meeting Schedule they are to send to ABWE.
      • Encourage good time-management skills. Encourage them to develop a full schedule of meetings.
      • Encourage a grateful spirit. Do they send Thank You notes regularly to supporters and those who help them? Admonish them in love when there appears to be a lack of the fruit of the Spirit.
      • Encourage them to care for their health (including weight control) and the discipline of their children. Remember they represent the Lord Jesus but also their sending church.
    5. Review their ministry presentation (verbal and visual) and offer suggestions and encouragement. Provide assistance as needed in preparing devotionals and messages. If they are not trained in public speaking and sermon preparation they may need more help. If they conduct a meeting in your area, encourage a member of the Missions Committee to attend the service for support and observation.
    6. Help them schedule meetings. Do more than write a letter of recommendation and giving a list of names. Make phone calls on their behalf and introduce them at area pastor’s and association meetings.
    7. Write a letter of appreciation to each pastor following their presentation. It also provides an opportunity to inquire if the church may be able to partner with you in getting your missionary to the field.
    8. Call or write each pastor whose church takes on financial support.
    9. Discuss well in advance the possibility of licensing/ordination (if required) prior to departure for the field. Set tentative dates for the council and ordination service.
    10. Discuss a tentative Commissioning Service date (usually occurs shortly before departure for the field).
    11. Encourage the timeliness of sending reports to ABWE and being current on Continuing Education requirements. Notify the Pre-Field Director of concerns regarding the missionary or questions you may have.
  2. Church Ministry on their behalf:
    1. Assist with start-up expenses: cost of stationery, prayer cards, introductory brochure, display, media presentation, cost of mailings, cellular phone and other similar expenses. Possibly provide secretarial help in typing letters and the use of church copier.
    2. Provide a church phone for calling pastors to schedule meetings or reimburse them for ministry calls made from their home, particularly before steady support is coming in.
    3. List meetings in the church and mid-week bulletin. Pray for them in public regularly.
    4. Have them meet with the Missions Committee (if you have one) periodically for ministry updates and prayer.
    5. Offer an internship within the church to give the missionary experience under pastoral direction and permit the church family to become better acquainted with their missionary. This could include the Sunday School, Youth, Visitation, Bible Studies, office assistance, special ministries and preaching opportunities.
    6. Develop a policy that contributes a significantly larger percent of support to home church missionaries than those from outside the church. Aim for a percentages such as 15, 25 or more if possible. Informationally, 21% has been the average committed by sending churches for their own missionaries during the past 7 years. Commit to periodic incremental increases as they have need and as funds permit.
    7. Encourage a consortium of sister churches to help send out local missionaries.
    8. Encourage helpful ministries by church members:
      1. Special needs: babysitting/child care, lawn care when they are away for extended periods, someone to check on their house, a mechanic to keep their car tuned and in good repair, medical or dental care.
      2. Provide a variety of items typically used during pre-field ministry: personal articles, medicines, food supplies, etc.
      3. Housing and utilities, if such is available.
    9. Give adequate ministry exposure in your church: a full presentation initially, followed by personal, periodic updates to the congregation in a Sunday service.
    10. Your missionary needs continuing support and encouragement. Extensive traveling can be exhausting. Encourage them to make memories with family and friends without feeling guilty.
    11. Consider if part-time employment could be provided at the church in a limited staff capacity to replace outside employment more quickly and give them greater schedule flexibility. Or, is there a Christian layman who would consider hiring them temporarily? Some missionaries will end employment at 50-60% support. A favorable employment schedule will allow the missionary to continue work part time and not have to use support funds for daily living.
    12. For single missionaries it is helpful to have a traveling companion if possible.