Subject: MISSIONS POLICY
Effective Date:March 2016 / Department: / Page 1 of
Revised Date:

PURPOSE

A.To help us achieve a clear sense of direction and expand on the strategy.

B.To avoid making important decisions on an emotional or haphazard basis (i.e. charisma of missions speaker, “connections” of those seeking support, the mood or time in which a decision is made.)

C.To ensure that each mission’s dollar is spent as God would have it spent.

D.To give guidelines for recurring matters relating to missions.

E.To be an encouragement and guide to our church family in prayer, and selection of missionary personnel.

F.To aid missions team in the selection process of candidates.[1]

POLICY

  1. Any mission RBC supports must connect with the people of Richview Baptist Church and spur them on to growth and obedience.
  2. Any mission RBC supports must become a priority of the church, with clear support beyond purely financial.
  3. We will support ministries where God is working. Any mission that RBC supports must have an expectation of clearly identifiable results in the support period.
  4. We will support people and ministries who are effective.
  5. Missions support must be for a well-defined period of time.

PROCEDURES

I/MISSIONS BUDGET[2]

A.The budget shall be set up according to priorities, which shall progressively reflect our mission’s strategy.

B.Annual budget will be based upon strategy, prayer, and applicants. The mission team has the responsibility for allocation of funds assigned to missions.

C.The amount of support allowable for missionaries will be so many dollars a month not a percentage of support.

D.In the event that Church finances are in a severe shortfall, as per church treasurer, the following steps will be taken by the missions team to communicate to the church leadership:

1.Unite the congregation in prayer.

2.Reduce personal support commitments.

E.In the event our missionaries and short-term missionaries are not adequately supported, the missions team will communicate to church leadership the need to:

  1. pray.
  2. investigate increasing the level of church support.
  3. strategize a fundraiser.

II. SPECIAL NEEDS FUND

The missions team will determine what is a “special needs” throughout the year. This could involve emergency needs of missionaries, or other unforeseen needs of our missionaries.

III. SOME MEASUREMENTS USED FOR SELECTION OF SUPPORT (not limited)

  1. Membership
  1. Members of Richview who have had previous active service in the church and have been members for a minimum of two years will receive first priority.
  2. Members of Richview who have not been a member for at least two years will receive second priority.
  3. Non-members are given third priority.
  1. Personal Qualifications

1.Evidence of past commitment and dedication to following God’s call.

2.Personal references or knowledge of candidate.

3.Acceptance by a board or agency recognized by the church.

4.Agreement in writing to the doctrinal position of the church.[3]

5.Education should be adequate, depending upon the ministry to be done. Vocational experience will be included here.

6.Degree of need in the world in which ministry will take place.

7.Degree of need of the candidate.

IV. PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING NEW CANDIDATES FOR SUPPORT[4]

A.Initial screening by application, to be done by missions team delegate.

B.Application sent to entire missions team for consideration and prayer.

C.Application reviewed by missions team.

D.Candidate is orally interviewed by missions team.

E.Recommendation to Board of Elders.[5]

F.Notification from Board of Elders to Deacons Board.

G.A Letter of Intent shall be written to the candidate.[6]

H.Presentation to the congregation through participation at Church meeting or Sunday Morning.

I.Congregational vote.

J.Pending congregational approval, letter of intent is given to missionary.

K.Commissioning Service.

L.Support will begin the first day of the new calendar year following budget approval of the candidate unless an alternate date is designated by the missions team at the time of voting.

V. EVALUATION, REVISION AND TERMINATION OF SUPPORT

  1. The mission’s team will review levels of support quarterly or at other periods as needed.
  2. Evaluation will include contact with the missionary or their agency. A standardized questionnaire may be sent to each missionary. Correspondence with the missionary or occasional visits to the field may also be used in the evaluative process.
  3. Changes in support may include cost of living change in the country where the missionary ministers; addition of new spouse or child; greater needs of an expanding and successful ministry; or when determined by missions team.
  4. Support can be terminated when the ministry of the missionary alters significantly such as changing mission boards; leaving the mission board to work independently; changing fields; accepting a post at home; decision for further study; or change in the type of ministry. The missionary is expected to inform the committee if any of the above occur. The notice should be made as soon as possible to allow time for consideration.
  5. Support may terminate immediately upon the resignation of any missionary.

VI. PURPOSE FOR SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRIPS

a.To provide a mission’s exposure trip for individuals and/or support our missionaries in a short-defined period of time.

b.To foster a culture at Richview that encourages members to be missional with their entire life.

c.To function as a discipleship catalyst in assisting people in making progress in their faith journey.

VII. SOME MEASUREMENTS USED FOR SELECTION OF SUPPORT OF SHORT-TERM CANDIDATES

a.Going to work alongside one of our current missionaries.

b.Interest in missions as a possible career.

c.Membership

i)Members of Richview who have had previous active service in the church and have been members for a minimum of two years will receive first priority.

ii)Members of Richview who have not been a member for at least two years will receive second priority.

iii)Non-members are given third priority.

d.Evidence of past commitment and dedication to following God’s call.

e.Personal references or knowledge of candidate.

f.Agreement in writing to the doctrinal position of the church.

g.Degree of need in the world in which ministry will take place.

h.Degree of need of the candidate.

VIII. PROCEDURE FOR SHORT-TERM CANDIDATES FOR SUPPORT

  1. Initial screening by application, to be done by missions team delegate.
  2. Application sent to entire missions team for consideration and prayer.
  3. Application reviewed by missions team.
  4. Candidate is orally interviewed by missions team.
  5. Missions team makes a decision.
  6. Decision communicated to leadership teams and candidate.
  7. Presentation to the congregation through participation at Sunday Morning (Commissioning Service).

MISSIONS POLICY, page 1 of 4

[1]See ‘missions team’ job description and missions handbook for more details about team functions.

[2] All financial support is reckoned in Canadian dollars.

[3] If questions arise about a missionary's doctrinal beliefs, field practices, or personal matters, they will be addressed gently and carefully, with open and direct communication between the missionary, the mission agency, and the home church (i.e. the pastor and Missions Team Leader, and whoever else may need to be involved).

[4] Any candidate who is not accepted at any point throughout process will be notified verbally and through letter/email.

[5] Requires elder’s approval to proceed.

[6] Letter is crafted but not sent until after congregation vote.