Missions Philosophy
Based on the pattern of Acts 13-16, it is our conviction that a missionary is "sent out" by a local church on a mission (i.e. for a specific task). They are to be a part of the means by which a local church can fulfill its part in the great commission in "all the world" (Acts 1:8), a task it cannot do as it remains in its own location. As such, the missionary is doing the Lord's work in partnership with the sending churches. It is vital that the missionary and sending churches accept this proper relationship and not accept the concept that a church simply "supports" a missionary who is doing his own ministry.
Being "sent," the missionary is accountable to the sending churches and his mission agency. As such, the major decisions and directions of the work should be made with the prayerful consent of the sending churches. Also, the missionary should report consistently to the sending churches of the needs, progress, and other information vital to the work.
By "sending," the church, in cooperation with the mission agency and the other supporting churches, is responsible for the care and ministry of the missionary. The church is not to treat the missionary as if it is helping him, but rather that the missionary is helping the church.