It is one thing to read about a country and know all the facts it is a very different thing to interact with people and get a burden for their need for Christ. Short-term mission trips help the candidate get a burden for people. Reading missionary biographies will help the candidate learn about life on the field. These stories are brought to mind when when the missionary has their faith tested on the field. Knowing that men and women have gone through incredible trials of faith gives encouragement to new missionaries when they are preparing for Christian missionary service. With the online tools available to missionaries today, a candidate can get a head start on his language training before he arrives on the field. As much as possible the missionary candidate should begin personal language study before he has to dedicate himself to regimented language training. Language TrainingĪ foreign missionary may need to go through language training. If the missionary will work as a teacher, or in some other professional field, he needs formal training in this area. This may be practical training such as on the job experience if the missionary will be involved in trade type ministries like construction. If the missionary will be involved in a ministry other than church planting, he may need special training beyond Bible school. The board can recommend programs where the candidate can get the Bible training they need. They are interested in knowing that the missionary candidate has enough character to complete advanced training. This may or may not need to be a Bible degree. Many boards will require that the missionary have a college degree. A pastor and church may not be prepared for these extra responsibilities. The church will need to take a more active role in the missionary’s life as a mission agency normally handles the financial and tax information. This is a good arrangement as long as the pastor helps the missionary prepare for service on the field. It is possible that the pastor recommends that the candidate not use a mission board or agency and work through the local church instead. This may include a certain level of Bible knowledge or specific training based on the type of mission work to be done. The mission board will have their own requirements for missionary service. Therefore, the candidate’s pastor can recommend a mission board that he is comfortable working with. The mission agency does not take the place of the pastor or the church, but they assist the pastor in getting the missionary to the field. Preparation for missionary service should begin by seeking the pastor’s council on a missionary agency. Where to serve is one of the many decisions to make.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |