Send Me! Your Journal to the Nations
Getting There - Step 5
What the Sending Group (Church/Mission) Wants to Know About You!
Bill Taylor
1. They want to work with mature Christian adults who have a clear sense that God is leading them into cross-cultural mission. In the case of a married couple, both have to speak to these issues. How would you measure out here?
2. They want to work with people who have experience in life and ministry, who have learned some tough lessons and are persevering with Christ and His church. They want people who have already proven themselves in evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development - the essential skills of a disciple-making missionary.
3. They want to know of your local church relationship and involvement, knowing that it is in that primary context that your gifts and calling have been or are uncovered, affirmed, and grown.
4. They will want to know your study track record, both in formal schooling (degrees, training) and non-formal equipping. Rightly so, they should want people with solid biblical and missions study under their belt. They will want to know what you have done in the secular marketplace or prior ministry.
5. They want a report on your personal integrity, coming primarily from your spiritual leaders and work colleagues. Be dead honest with yourself in this regard. “Stuff happens,” and if you go to the field with deep unresolved junk, it will emerge again! The church or agency may probe into some areas of your past to see if there are serious unresolved personal, moral, or family conflicts. Or how you handled them.
6. They may probe your concept of working in accountable relationships and under authority. This is a delicate issue for some people, whether mission leaders or younger future missionaries. Be sure you find leaders who love and understand the qualities of the younger generation. But are you teachable? Do you have a sacrificial spirit?
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Excerpt from Send Me! Your Journey to the Nations Copyright 1999, World Evangelical Alliance, all rights reserved, reprinted by permission. The entire Send Me! workbook may be purchased online at www.wearesources.org.
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