Missions as Program:

Missions as “Program” can be divided into two levels: c. Program and d. Priority

C. Program: Missions is one of the regular ongoing ministries or our church. There is an active leader or an organized and functioning leadership team that organizes and deploys church resources into missions. Missions has the support of key church leaders.

D. Priority: Missions is one of the more important ministries of our church. The leadership team is proactive regarding the development and deployment of church personnel and resources into missions. Key church leaders are active in promoting and supporting missions.

Characteristics of a Program:

A program is a means to an end and is designed to contribute to a purpose.

A program is one of many. Therefore it does not expect participation of all.

A program is pragmatic. It is valuable and maintained as long as it is useful and productive.

Implications of a Program:

A program is designed to contribute to a specific purpose.

A program has well thought-out goals and plans and be well executed.

A program maximizes the resources available.

A program gives evidence of progress toward the purpose.

A program is carried out with quality and excellence.

Areas for Evaluation:

· Biblical Priority

· Missions Education

· Congregational Involvement

· Staff Leadership

· The Missions Leadership Team

· Missions Strategy

· Prayer for Missions

· Missions Giving

· Missions Trips

· Training for Potential Missionaries

· Care and Support for Missionaries

· Local Outreach

Evaluation Tool and Criteria: Missions Assessment Profile (MAP). Order from online store at www.Pioneers.org.

The Next Level: Priority

Missions is recognized as a very important responsibility of the church. Church leaders recognize the importance of reaching people from other nations and cultures. The church has a clear strategy and well-defined goals. A substantial portion of our income and many of our people are significantly involved.

Steps to Priority:

Identify the purpose to which your missions program contributes. Ideally your church purpose statement or constitution makes this clear. If it is not clear, begin collecting some alternative church purpose statements and recommend the church purpose be reconsidered.

Using the diagnostic tool, Missions Assessment Profile (MAP), decide which areas of the missions ministry need improvement, decide where to begin, and establish a task force to make changes.

Encourage your church leaders to make missions a more important and consistent focus for prayer and education from the leadership level.