And What Makes a Good Mission Board?

Well, this one I can't take a missionboard's idea on... ;)

So...what am I personally looking for in one?

Well, three easy keys.

1. Doctrinal agreement
2. They're in Australia, or they're willing to have me open that field
3. They're already involved in or are interested in opening the ministry of drama/music as an evangelism tool

But beyond that...what's going to sell ME on a specific board?

A. Flexibility
B. Good track record with accountability
C. Well-organized
D. Well balanced between contemporary and traditional (or am I describing the ideal church??? ;))
E. Proper attitude towards single women missionaries (and women in general)
F. Structurally sound financial views and organization

I'm sure I have more, but these are it for right now. When I add more, I will recompile and make concise the list.

More on Sending Churches...

So, as I have been sifting through all these decisions I have to make, I have really been contemplating the question, "What makes a good sending Church?"

While looking into various missions organizations that might someday be my full-time organization, I was looking into FIM (Fellowship International Mission), and I like their view of a Sending Church. See below.

Your Sending Church Should:

1. Identify and cultivate you as one called by God to His service. With their biblical oversight, you will:
A. Gain insight into God's Word
B. Mature spiritually
C. Develop your spiritual gifts
D. Prove your Christian character
E. Understand how God wants to use you
F. Establish your long-term spiritual guidance and support system.

2. Launch you into service. (A public commissioning service by the sending church is required before missionaries are released to their ministries.)
A. You share your missionary desire with your church
B. They see it in you
C. The Holy Spirit confirms it
D. YOU may volunteer, but YOUR CHURCH sends

3. Pray faithfully for you.
4. Support you as God provides.
5. Communicate with you and FIM.
6. Hold you accountable for your ministry, both directly and through FIM.
This church serves as your "Key Accountability Partner," the direct authority over you, with FIM cooperating in accord with Mission policies.
7. Offer opportunities for you to report your progress to the church to improve prayer support and promote missionary burden in others.

I like this. This is what a Sending Church should be. Don't you other missionary people agree? ;-)

The Two Things Most Needed

Okay, so after much prayer and consideration, as well as council from those I trust (my parents, professors, those types of people), I realize that there are two main things I need to focus on getting right now for my long-term goal of going to Australia as a full-time evangelistic missionary doing a traveling music theater team.

1. A Sending Church
2. A Mission Board that does what I want to do where I'm supposed to go...

Please pray for me as I try to figure out what decisions I'm supposed to be making towards these two things. Many other things fall into this decision making (such as WHERE I should be living, finding a job that will financially support me as I raise long-term support, etc.).

That's all for now.

A Song

I don't honestly have much to say today...just wanted to say something for a start is all... :-D

So, "something." Okay. I'm done.