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? ;-)