First Evangelical Free Church of Colorado Springs (www.1freechurch.org)
Procedures & Guidelines Governing Missionary Support
If you have any questions, please email: Steve Elisha at stevebethann@swissmail.org and/or Steve Stiefvater at SS1438@comcast.net.
1) PREAMBLE: The Team of Evangelism/Missions is committed to follow the procedures that are included herein, and in annual review of their effectiveness.
2) PROCEDURES: These procedures are to provide guidance for initiating and terminating support, induction to short-term missions service, and handling of designated gifts.
3) APPLICATION: An application form MUST be filled out in it’s entirety and turned in to the Evangelism/Missions Team at least 2 weeks prior to a regular monthly meeting, which is normally on the second Thursday of each month, and at least 2 months prior to anticipated departure date.
4) NEW & CONTINUING SUPPORT: The six (6) categories listed below shall be qualitatively and or quantitatively applied. The procedure is outlined as follows:
A) The Evangelism/Mission Team at the August meeting shall determine the yearly support of a an amount not to exceed $4000.00 or an amount determined by the Team for that year, for a Long-Term Missionary who is a member of, or has come out of the church in good standing with First Evangelical Free Church.
B) The Evangelism/Mission Team at the August meeting shall determine the yearly support of a suggested amount not to exceed $1600.00 or an amount determined by the Team for that year, for a Long-Term Missionary who is a non-member of First Evangelical Free Church.
C) The Evangelism/Mission Team shall determine the support amount, not to exceed $500.00 or an amount determined by the Team for that year, for approved requests for a Short-Term Missionary who is a Member in good standing or has come out of First Evangelical Free Church.
D) The Evangelism/Mission Team shall determine the support amount, not to exceed $200.00 or an amount determined by the Team for that year, for approved request for a Short-Term Missionary who is a Non-Member of First Evangelical Free Church.
E) The Evangelism/Mission Team at the August meeting shall determine the yearly support amount, for approved requests for Universities and Colleges.
F) The Evangelism/Mission Team shall determine the support of an amount not to exceed $1500.00 for an annual, renewable grant, per approved request for new Missionaries seeking first time support from First Evangelical Free Church.
G) The Evangelism/Mission Team shall determine the support amount of all other approved requests on an individual basis (This would include District and National entities).
5) SUPPORT CRITERIA: The individual or individuals should be sincerely interested in missions and shall have a record of training and service in First Evangelical Free Church.
A) The individual or individuals must be in agreement with the doctrinal statement of First Evangelical Free Church. The Evangelism/Missions Team will review the application and at their discretion may ask for an interview in front of the Team prior to approval or denial of requested support.
B) Short-term missionary trip candidates are expected to supply as much of their own support as possible, in order to enhance the value of the experience. First Evangelical Free Church may provide up to one-quarter, not to exceed the guidelines as stated in Section 4-C & D of the necessary support, as funds are available if approved.
C) All funds designated for missions and/or received from each weeks gross offering (currently 18%) will be utilized under the direction of the Evangelism/Missions Team, either to meet the annual missions budget or for any special needs, i.e., (short term missions trip under three (3) months, renewable grants, and/or year-end support of budgeted individuals).
D) Support of our missionaries, short term mission trips (under three (3) months), renewable grants, will continue during regular and emergency furloughs, regardless of earnings or other income to the missionary during that period. If furlough is extended beyond the normal length set by the mission, support may be continued at the discretion of the Evangelism -Missions Team.
E) Support increases/decreases will be determined at the monthly meeting held in September of each year for all Missionaries and Organizations or as deemed necessary by the Evangelism/Missions Team.
6) HANDLING OF DESIGNATED & PERSONAL GIFTS:
A) The congregation shall be encouraged to give sacrificially, systematically and prayerfully to meet First Evangelical Free Church’s commitment to our missionaries and missionary organizations.
B) Designated missions giving will be forwarded, as designated, provided that the individual or agency is already currently in our annual missions budget. When approved by the Senior Pastor, Evangelism/Missions Team Chairman, and one other member of the Council, a one-time special offering can be taken for an individual or group. The individual or group must be affiliated under the administrative control of an IRS 501 (c) (3) recognized non-profit organization. In the event we cannot honor the gift, it will be returned within thirty days to the donor with a written explanation that we are unable to utilize the gift.
C) First Evangelical Free Church is not allowed to act as a pass through agent for missionaries or organizations.
D) If additional funds are available, Christmas Gifts may be provided directly to Long Term Missionaries only.
7) REVIEW OF SUPPORT:
A) If a missionary changes jobs, and/or status, location, agency, First Evangelical Free Church affiliation or doctrinal statement, the Evangelism/Missions Team will review the support given.
B) Upon retirement support will be terminated.
8) SHORT-TERM MISSIONS SERVICE:
A) Short-term shall be taken to mean, non-permanent missionary commitment.
B) The Evangelism/Missions Team will encourage members of our congregation to be directly involved in missions by becoming short-term missionaries.
C) Requests by non-members shall be reviewed on an individual basis.
Approved by First Evangelical Free Church Council 11/19/02