To study the Bible as the revelation of missions and to continually mold our philosophy and policies to the Truth.

To establish broad, Biblical guidelines to govern decision-making and to establish practical policies to promote consistency while recognizing the role to the Spirit’s guidance.

To educate and equip our people for the responsibility of missions

To seek the Lord for laborers in the harvest, effectual doors of opportunity and for spiritual enlightenment for the spiritually blind.

To keep missionary efforts in the minds of our congregation

To ensure stewardship of our financial resources

To expose our people to missions with visits to our missionaries, missionary presentations, furlough visits, missions trips, missions emphasis or conference, missionary awareness table/board, suggestions for encouraging and supporting our missionaries.

To strengthen relationships between our church families and our missionary families

With the goal of supporting fewer missionaries for more significant amounts, we realize that this full process will not be exercised often.  The following would be a minimum requirement allowing the Spirit to direct the leadership and the congregation in the process.

•  The pastor and deacons will review the information received from the missionary and decide if the missionary will be invited to continue the interview process with a visit to the church.

Applying to Present Missions Work

[with the understanding of no immediate support available]

Our goals for such a practice are several:

• To keep missions and missionaries before our people.
• Should the Lord lead, to increase our missions budget and add the missionary
• To be a blessing to missionaries on their deputation journey by our fellowship and financial provision.

A Glorious God

Psalm 29:2; 72:19; 115:1; 148:13; Is 43:7; Hab 2:14; Eph 1:4-6

A Powerful Gospel

Isaiah 55:10-13; Luke 4:18; Rom 1:16; 10:15; 1 Cor 1:17-18; 1 Thess 1:5; 2 Thess 2:14; 2 Tim 1:10

Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8

Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:40-47; Eph 5:25-27; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Rev 5:8-9

ministry and realize that by examining the example of Paul and other missions passages we derive a three-fold approach to advancing the gospel:

Gospel-witnessing: Acts 14:7, 21; Acts 1:8

Disciple-making:  Acts 14:21-22; Matt 28:18-20

Church-facilitating:  Acts 14:22-23; Acts 13-20

Acts 13-14 and 15-20

Acts 1-12 lays out the explosive growth of the church due to the testimony of believers who were not “vocational missionaries.”

Acts 2:1-4; 2:41-47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1,7; 8:1,4; 9:31; 11:19-26; 13:1-3

Evangelism – the act being a witness by declaring the good news of God’s gracious offer of salvation in Christ to sinners

Discipleship – teaching believers to follow Christ by obedience to His commands and by imitation of His character

Outreach – the efforts of evangelism and discipleship by our local church in our local geographic boundaries and cultural community

Missions – mobilizing physical resources and qualified believers to advance the glory of God in the gospel to all peoples of the world locally, nationally and internationally through the efforts of gospel-witnessing, disciple-making and church-growing

• By studying Christ’s commissions in the Gospels and the accounts of Acts, we conclude that “missions” and “missionary” are extra-biblical terms that must be defined by principles and not clear biblical definition.

• In our study we conclude that three elements must form the basis of missions ministry:

Gospel- witnessing.  We must give the gospel message to all, trusting God for the desired results of conversion.

Disciple-making.  By God’s grace and at His will, converts will be added to the church, taught the doctrine of Christ and encouraged on the path of obedience to Him.

Church-facilitating.  By the work of gospel-witnessing and disciple-making, the church is being enlarged, strengthened and equipped.  This should be a goal of missions work; however, we are not limiting ourselves to new church planting efforts “from scratch,” but rather recognize the ecclesiastical focus of Acts and the three journeys of Paul and his ministry team.

Missionary – a believer, led and gifted by God, who is sent from and/or supported by the local church to witness to the gospel and to disciple believers for the growth or establishment of a local church

Foreign missions – ministry that fits the above definitions that is accomplished outside the United States

Home missions – ministry that fits the above definitions that is accomplished inside the United States

Church planting – an emphasis on the purpose of a missionary’s ministry of growing and grounding the believers, training national leadership, and forming local, autonomous, reproducing, Gospel churches.

Short-term missions – ministry that fits the above definitions that is designed for 2 years or less.

Since the Bible suggests no ONE method of accomplishing the Great Commission, we will prayerfully consider various types of missions work that incorporate our three-fold missions plan of gospel-witnessing, disciple-making and church-facilitating.  We desire to be careful not to limit missions solely by …

• A place:  international vs. national
• A purpose:  church planting vs. disciplining nationals vs. radio tower ministry, etc.
• A plan:  individual vs. team ministry
• A procedure:  vocational vs. bi-vocational
• A person:  male vs. female; single vs. married

We further believe that the end of gospel-witnessing and disciple-making will BE church-facilitating, hence the assertion that missions work is in essence church-planting (or church-facilitating).  You will not see conversion without adding to the church, nor will you see discipleship without equipping the church.  It is clear - God will accomplish His kingdom in the church.

Our preference of one ministry over another points only to the Spirit’s leading and not to the esteeming of one ministry over another as more biblical, more effective or more worthy.

Ministries may be categorized as:

• Church - Planting:  a primary focus on the establishing of new, indigenous churches that become autonomous and reproductive.
• Church - Developing:  a goal of helping an existing church with the equipping of the congregation for discipleship, evangelism, and the study of doctrine.  This goal may include ideas such as training national leadership or radio ministry.
• Church - Supporting:  the task of providing services or expertise to the church or those who are laboring to plant or develop the church.  This ministry may involve such tasks as state-side administration, medical work, aviation, and Bible translation.

Since the work of church planting may be dependent on or facilitated by auxiliary ministries, we will not refuse consideration of these works as “missions.”  Such support roles will be considered in a dual manner:

• Is the supporting work beneficial to the ministry of church-facilitating?
• Is the worker fulfilling a dual role of (1) the support role of their gift and expertise and (2) member of the church-facilitating team as a gospel-witness and disciple-maker?

Our plan is to support missionaries for a significant amount and to have significant involvement with those missionaries.  This would be a “fewer missionaries for more support” approach.  We recognize the hardship of turning away godly, passionate missionary candidates, but we also recognize the blessing of being intimately involved in the lives of a few godly, passionate missionaries. 

The pastor and deacons will annually review the support of missions efforts based on these criteria. 

Much like the call of the pastor to the church, we will not establish a length of commitment for career (non short-term) missionaries.  Termination of support will be handled carefully with the missionary, the mission board and sending churches to be sure that reasons for termination are noted and to be sure the missionary is not stranded in a foreign country.  By God’s grace, we will be firm in our commitment only to missionaries who meet our required criteria, and we will be loving and responsible toward those who fail those standards in any way.  When necessary the pastor and deacons will recommend the termination of a missionary’s support to the congregation for approval.

We believe that the Bible teaches the support of those who minister the gospel.  We recognize that this process of support will vary with each missionary, culture and ministry scenario.

We will support our missionaries on a monthly basis through the regular offerings for the overall budget.

 

Support level will be determined by the following:

• Unity of doctrine and philosophy with SSBC
• Strength of relationship with SSBC
• Total amount of support needed
• Short-term or long-term support
• The Spirit’s leading
• Available funds

We will advise missionaries to be wise financial stewards who plan for the future with all the unknown scenarios that could lead to return from the field after a few years or after many years of service.  Such plans may include life insurance, retirement planning, or long-term disability insurance.  SSBC will not be able to fund perpetually missionaries who return from the field for health or age issues.  In the case of emergency or unforeseen circumstances, we will consider case by case the possibility of a taper-off policy to provide for a transition from the field.

 

Upon approval of the congregation, financial support will begin the 1^st of the next month, and these funds may be used for deputation costs.  If deputation is still ongoing after two years, we will evaluate the candidate further.

 

Missionaries should not solicit funds by means of a mass appeal to the individuals of the congregation.

•  If the church moves to support a missionary, the missions budget will fund the approved support amount, and the missionary may approach individuals within the congregation with whom he already has a personal relationship and invite them to invest in his ministry.
• If the church does not move to support the missionary candidate, he may still approach individuals with whom he already has a personal relationship and invite them to invest in his ministry.  However, these gifts may not be given through the church as charitable contributions.

Special projects should be detailed in writing if at all possible for the most efficient consideration of our church’s involvement.  Projects will be considered on a case by case basis by the deacons and will typically be funded by special offerings or designations.

 

The pastor and deacons will conduct an annual financial review of each missionary effort of SSBC to evaluate support levels, salary or ministry expense increases and market fluctuations that may affect support levels.  This review will consider factors such as:  the ongoing communication with the missionary regarding personal and ministry budgets, special needs of family or church, the value of the dollar in the global economy, any input from the mission board, size of family and the cost of living or “raise” increase.  Any support changes will be accounted for in the new year’s budget for missions.

 

The budget should provide (1) for monthly support of full-time missionaries, (2) for an emergency fund for events such as property theft or destruction, natural disaster, evacuation, health crisis or economic crisis, and (3) for missions projects such as short-term missions projects, a missions emphasis or conference, missionary visits and gifts, visits of church representative to the field, additional project expenses on the field, etc.

Biblical Responsibilities

• Prayer Support – in obedience to Scripture and in love for one another we will seek to implement regular prayer into the corporate and private life of the congregation.
• Pastoral Support – for accountability, counsel, academic and theological discussion and mutual encouragement, we will commit our staff and leadership to the missionary’s needs.
• Financial Support – we will fulfill our financial commitments as detailed under Finances and Evaluation.
• Fellowship Support – we will seek to demonstrate sacrificial love and genuine friendship in our partnership with the missionary family.

Academic Responsibilities

• We endeavor to learn of missionary history and godly missionaries to motivate and instruct our church regarding the heritage of spreading the gospel.
• We endeavor to learn of the culture where our missionaries serve to better understand the challenges of cross-cultural living.

Practical Suggestions: Before They Leave

• Ask them what their needs are (materially and spiritually), and pray earnestly for them.
• Be mindful of the emotional hardship of leaving family, friends, church and “what they’ve always known.”
• Help them find information on needed equipment.
• Promote faith by asking them how God has taught them or provided for them on the path of deputation.
• Help them to get all the supplies that they need to take with them overseas. You can help them by running errands, or offering to take care of their children so that they can more easily run errands.
• Provide meals and housing in those last days before they leave since most of their stuff is packed or gone.
• Help them pack the items they'll store here in the U.S. as well as the items they'll take with them or ship.
• Treat them to something special just before they go.
• Take them to the airport as a team and have a send-off there.
• Have an open house or “Informal Commissioning” service for them before they leave so they can pray with and say good-bye to many of their friends.
• Host a reception for them at church after their Sunday morning church commissioning.

Practical suggestions:  While They Are Gone

• Pray earnestly for them.  Read and post their most recent missionary letter for the congregation.  Keep a notebook of former letters for those who have not read them.
• Write to your missionary often.
• Keep up-to-date with what your missionary is doing so that you can encourage them in the work and share their work with the church family.
• Keep the missionary informed of church happenings so they can pray and be part of the work of the supporting church.
• Remember, missionaries still celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and holidays – remember them with a card, gift, email, or telephone call.
• Send emails, if possible, to them occasionally so that they have current, up-to-date information on their “team.”
• Pass on any special prayer requests to the church office so that the pastoral staff knows how to pray and so that it can be shared with the church family.
• Send fun "care packages" occasionally to encourage your missionary or to help meet some of their needs.
• Send your missionary articles of special interest out of the newspaper or magazines.
• Consider visiting your missionary on the field.
• Send them a good book you've especially appreciated.
• Mail out their prayer letters for them.
• Help to take care of your missionaries' home while they are away.
• Link with missionaries utilizing webcam.

Practical Suggestions:  When They Return

• Pray earnestly for them.
• Be at the airport to welcome them back home.
• Host an open house so that they can see many of their friends and update them.
• Schedule a service to report on the Lord’s work on their field.
• Praise the Lord with them for how God used them.
• Mail out their prayer letters.
• Be available to help them readjust to life in the U.S.
• Have housing ready for them when they arrive home.
• Have a few groceries for them in their refrigerator and cupboards so that they don't have to go shopping right away.
• Help them to find a car to borrow during their furlough time.
• Help them to catch up with what is current, what's in, and what's out.  Provide them with a cultural update on trends, U.S. & local news, and fashions.
• Bring dinner by their house for the first few days.
• Introduce them to new people at church.
• Include them in social activities
• Help with continuing education.
• Treat them as an extension of the pastoral staff.
• Offer vacation possibilities.
• Care for family needs like babysitting, loaning a car, providing car maintenance, and communication support.
• Introduce the children to other children their age.

The Emergency Fund will be funded by the annual budget in a Missions Emergency Fund line item.

In times political turmoil or natural disaster, we should…

• Stay informed.
• Volunteer to help if the need arises.
• Be generous in your giving.
• Communicate regularly with Missionary and with mission agency.
• Provide a place for temporary housing, if missionaries have had to be evacuated from crisis situations.
• Provide financial support, prayer support, encouragement, and input into any decision for re-direction of ministry.

In a Time of Personal Crisis, we should…

• Provide help in making arrangements for travel if necessary.
• Recommend a time of quiet refreshing through rest, prayer and time in the Word.
• Be concerned and pray, but don't be overbearing.
• Offer pastoral and member care when requested.
• Continue to contribute financially or provide for emergencies with one time gifts.
• Write notes of encouragement.

Definition:  Short-term Missions is a mission effort of less than 24 months. 

Purpose:

• A survey trip:  to pursue God’s leading as a vocational missionary by evaluating a specific field
• To assist a missionary for a time
• To fan the flame of desire for missions ministry
• To provide leadership while a missionary is on furlough
• To accomplish a building project, conference, or other work effort

Evaluation Criteria:  Short-term missionaries will be evaluated based on …

• An evident commitment to Jesus Christ and the manifest fruit of the Spirit
• Approval by parents for candidates under the age of 18
• Length of the mission endeavor
• Completion of application
• Strength of doctrinal and philosophical unity with missionary or mission board
• Evaluation of stewardship of finances
• Type of service being rendered and ability to accomplish our three fold missions plan of gospel-witnessing, disciple-making and church –growing
• Willingness to abide by requirements of the church and the missionary being served for accountability and behavior

Application Process

• Contact the Pastor for an application for short-term missions.
• The completed application is reviewed by the pastor and deacons.
• Interview with the pastor to discuss goals and desires for going.
• Complete any assignments or requirements for preparation requested by the missionary who is being assisted, the church or mission board.
• If the candidate is outside our ministry, we may ask him to complete the full application process.

Support

• Deacons will recommend an amount of support from the missions project budget. 
• In addition or in substitution, the Deacons may recommend an offering be taken on behalf of the short-term missionary.

Whether receiving approval or denial for budget dollars or an offering, we would ask that the short-term missionary not solicit funds by means of a mass appeal to the individuals of the congregation.  Support-raising should be restricted to the individual’s family and friends in regards to our congregation.