Missions Policies & Procedures

Mission Statement:  “To bring the people of our global community into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ by sending those whom God calls and going when God calls us”

 

1.      Missions Task Force (MTF)

   1.1.   A Missions Task Force shall consist of seven members of St. Paul Lutheran Church (SPLC)

      1.1.1.      The Missions Pastor of SPLC shall be an ex officio member of the MTF.

      1.1.2.      Members of the MTF will be chosen for their zeal for missions, love for the lost, and commitment to SPLC.

         1.1.2.1.Members of the MTF shall be active in at least one Bible study of SPLC.

         1.1.2.2.Members of the MTF shall attend at least one missions conference/seminar every two years.

      1.1.3.      The MTF shall meet at least ten (10) times per year.

      1.1.4.      At its January meeting, the MTF will elect a chairperson and secretary who will serve for a term of one year.

   1.2.   Members of the Missions Task Force will use their spiritual gifts to support the work of worldwide Christian Outreach.

      1.2.1.      The Missions Task Force will assist STM teams in their plans using the MISTM Grid.

2.      Support

   2.1.   In accordance with the policies of SPLC, “The congregation shall tithe (no less than 10%) of it’s offerings to mission outreach beyond the congregation and no less than one half of that amount shall be given to support the work of District and Synod.”

2.2.   The Missions Task Force with the Missions Pastor shall annually review missionary support.

2.3.   Support will be given to missionaries and agencies that are in agreement with the beliefs and teachings of SPLC.

3.      Short Term Missions (STM)

   3.1.   To ensure excellence in our Short Term Missions Ministries, SPLC will be a Covenant Member of Standards of Excellence (SOE).

   3.2.   Short Term Leaders will be alumni of CultureLink or an eqivilent training organization.

   3.3.   When possible, all trips will be announced no later than November 1 of the preceding year.

   3.4.   Short Term Support will be provided first to missionaries and agencies already supported by SPLC.

   3.5.   Team Selection

      3.5.1.      All applicants for STM teams must complete an application and return it to the Missions Pastor

      3.5.2.      Names of applicants shall be reviewed by the senior staff of SPLC.

      3.5.3.      All applicants for STM teams shall be interviewed by the team leader and the Missions Pastor.

      3.5.4.      Applicants shall always be given the honest reason for denial to an STM team

   3.6.   Team Training

      3.6.1.      STM Teams shall use the CultureLink curriculum for the purpose of training, discipleship, and team development.

         3.6.1.1.Other curriculum may be used if approved by the Missions Pastor.

         3.6.1.2.STM Teams shall develop a team policy and have it approved by the Missions Pastor.

         3.6.1.3.All teams will make use of the MISTM Grid and report their plans to the Missions Pastor and Missions Task Force.

      3.6.2.      Debriefing and Post-field training will be provided for all STM teams.

         3.6.2.1.Within one month of reentry, the team will report their STM experiences to the members of SPLC

   3.7.   All STM missionaries will seek support from the members of SPLC and the Church at large.

      3.7.1.      All STM Missionaries will be responsible for their own financial support.

      3.7.2.      STM Missionaries may only seek support from SPLC members with whom they have a relationship.  Blanket requests for support may not be sent to the membership roster of SPLC.

   3.8.   Since SPLC is a tithing church with a desire to reach future generations for Jesus, STM missionaries will be encouraged to tithe a percentage of their funds raised to the SPLC Missions Endowment Fund.

   3.9.   If it becomes evident that a team member is not qualified or faithful to the training process they may be dismissed upon consultation with the Missions Pastor and Team Leader.

 

For more information about the St. Paul Missions Ministries, contact Pastor John Bush at 734.676.1565 or via e-mail .