Section I: MISSIONS PHILOSOPHY
I. Missions Purpose Statement: The primary purpose of PFEBC missions is to engage in global efforts to reproduce Bible teaching New Testament churches that bring glory to God by winning people to Jesus Christ and equipping them to be more faithful disciples. This is in keeping with the overall purpose of our church which is to:
A. Glorify God (Eph. 1:5-6; 11-12; 3:21; 1 Cor. 10:31).
B. Evangelize the Lost (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Rom. 10:13-14).
C. Edify Believers (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 20:28-32; Heb. 3:13; Eph. 4:11-13).
II. The Missions Policy Purpose: To tie this important aspect of our ministry to our church bylaws, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 1.02 – PURPOSE, ARTICLE 2, SECTION 2.01 - STATEMENT OF FAITH, (I) The Church, (V) Missions; and to enable our church to have a sound, biblical missions program.
III. The Missions Policy Goals:
A. To ensure that missions decisions are made on a sound biblical basis and in accordance with our missions and ministry philosophy.
B. To ensure good stewardship of our financial resources.
C. To strengthen the relationship between our church family and our missionaries and/or agencies that we support.
IV. Definitions
A. Evangelism is actively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people around us as opportunities occur without regard to geography or familiarity.
B. Discipleship is the process of helping a person to change and grow in the likeness of Christ as that person is ‘equipped for the work of the ministry.
C. Missions means evangelizing and discipling [fulfilling the Great Commission] outside one’s own geographic and cultural community in whatever forum is acceptable to our church and suitable to the missionary’s gifts and experience.
D. Missionary is a believer called of God and sent out by a local church to fulfill the Great Commission with people in a different geographic location and in a different culture than his own. The cultural difference can be within his/her country and language, or in another country. For our purposes, missionaries will be involved either directly or indirectly in establishing New Testament churches.
E. Foreign Missions are ministries that fit the above definitions that are conducted outside the United States.
F. Home Missions are ministries that fit the above definitions that are conducted within the United States.
G. Short Term Missionary is a person who is considering pursuing missions as a vocational ministry; usually the consideration is for 2 years or less, or a person participating in a Mission Trip for the purpose of training, construction, medical, or other ministry purposes.
H. National Missionary is a missionary not from the U.S. who is seeking to engage in full- time Christian vocational ministry in his own country.
I. Local Church is the organized body of Christian believers in a given location (i.e., Pensacola, FL) that unites together for the purpose of obeying the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, glorifying God, evangelizing the lost, and edification of the believer.
V. Types of Ministries
As a matter of stewardship, we will place primary emphasis and the bulk of our time, spiritual gifts, and money on sending and supporting individuals whose ministry call and focus is on the establishment, growth, and multiplication of local churches that are consistent with the doctrine and practice of Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church.
A. Church Planting Ministries
1. The primary focus and priority of the individual’s efforts are for the establishing of new, indigenous, reproducing churches in cross-cultural situations.
2. Consideration will possibly be given to national church planting efforts of an individual sent by a non-American church.
B. Church Development Ministries
These ministries focus on evangelism and discipleship in strategic populations which enable an existing church to reach beyond their current sphere of influence in that particular cultural setting —i.e. campus ministry, jail ministry, radio ministry, etc.
C. Support Ministries
There are individuals and/or organizations that are involved in ministries that legitimately support traditional church planting efforts (e.g. medical work, relief and development, social work, technology, educational, etc.). We may designate a portion of our missions support to go to these types of ministries.
1. Stateside administration and counsel which directly supports people in church-planting or extension type ministries (i.e. agencies like BIMI, BMM, etc.)
2. Schools and/or educational institutions that can contribute to the training of those who seek to plant/develop local churches.
3. Other ministries that contribute to effective church planting or extending existing churches – i.e. mission aviation, medical work, relief work, educational, and translation.
VI. The Biblical Foundation of Missions
A. The Great Commission: Matthew 28:19,20 says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
1. This passage serves as the foundation for our Mission Statement: The ministry of Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church is to win people to Jesus Christ and equip them to be more faithful disciples.
2. Christ delegated authority to the disciples and commanded them to make disciples of all nations.
3. The word “nations,” rather than referring to geo-political nation states, points to the idea that the body of Christ is to be made up of people from “every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues” (Revelation 7:9).
B. Matthew 16:18, “. . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”; Acts 2:37-47; Philippians 4:15-19.
1. Matthew 16 establishes the unity of the entire body of Christ (or the ‘universal church’). Our love for the brethren includes those of other cultures who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Our church’s efforts, as well as those of our missionaries, are to seek to bring unsaved people into the Church, the body of Christ, by faithfully proclaiming the Gospel.
2. Acts 2:37-47 establishes the beginning of the ‘local church.’
3. Philippians 4:15-19 establishes the connection of a local church supporting a ‘missionary’ in the work of the ministry. While Paul also engaged in ‘tent making’ responsibilities (Acts 18:1-2), the norm is a local church supporting the missionaries they send out.
C. Acts 13:2 says, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” Over time, the Church in Antioch became the leading church of the first century (Acts 13:1-14:28).
In the midst of worship, prayer, and fasting, the church responded to the Holy Spirit by commissioning two of their leaders, Barnabas and Saul, sending them into ministry.
1. Barnabas and Saul were already actively serving in the church –seeking to win souls to Christ and engaged in regular discipleship opportunities.
2. The church recognized their gifts and service, and the church authenticated Barnabas and Saul’s call to the ministry by commissioning them for the task.
3. In each new city that Barnabas and Saul visited, their goal was to plant and establish new churches. This is evident by the fact that they evangelized key cities, preached the gospel, strengthened the disciples, and appointed elders.
4. Following their missionary journey, Barnabas and Saul reported back to the church in Antioch, demonstrating their submission to the leadership and authority of that local church.
5. Therefore, missionaries are directly accountable to the local church that commissioned them and indirectly to the churches supporting them. Mission Agencies are considered ‘Support Ministries’ as stated in our Missions Philosophy (cf. V. Types of Ministries).
VII. The Purpose of Missions
Missions is the process of local churches carrying out the Great Commission (making disciples) as patterned by the book of Acts: evangelizing strategic cities, instructing new Christians, planting local churches, and strengthening those churches that they would duplicate the cycle and multiply through sending their own people into missions. The chief task of missions is to plant and establish new churches that will be effective in fulfilling the Great Commission in their geographic and cultural setting.
VIII. The Process of Achieving Our Missions Philosophy
A. By keeping missions visible before the church through:
1. Teaching/training our people in the area of missions. (Matthew 8:30; II Timothy 2:2).
2. Seeking the Lord for laborers in missions (Matthew 9:37-38).
3. Exposing our people to missions.
The exposure to missions will come through the following:
a. Having missionaries into our church to preach and present their ministries.
b. Having our missionaries minister in our church among our people while back on furlough.
c. Holding missions conferences and have times of missions’ emphasis during the course of our ministry.
d. Reading the correspondence from our missionaries publicly and post prayer letters on the missionary board.
e. Sending our pastor on regular missionary survey trips to encourage the missionary and update the church concerning their ministry.
B. By taking church mission trips and:
1. Encouraging individuals and families at PFEBC to be involve in mission trips outside of the United States (e.g. training, evangelistic, medical, construction, etc.).
2. Evaluating each situation to know whether PFEBC will provide any financial support provided a person agrees to the Leadership Standards for those who participate in a mission trip.
C. Selecting and sending missionaries:
1. Who have a proven testimony before God and man (1Timothy 4:12; Acts 13:1-3).
2. Who give evidence of a Divine calling to this ministry (Acts 13:2).
3. Who are like-minded in the doctrine and philosophy of our church(II John 10; Rom. 16:17; II Thes. 3:14-15).
4. Who are American or Canadian citizens. We believe that nationals in their own country should receive financial support from their own churches.
5. Who identify as Independent Baptists and go out under either an approved Independent Baptist Board or this church.
6. Who are active members of Independent Baptist churches.
7. Who the church supports and does not solicit funds from individuals within the church.
8. For geographical areas where we do not have a missionary will be our primary focus in a given mission year.
9. Who will be involved in reproducing Bible-teaching New Testament Baptist churches.
*While there are many good ministries in which a church could be involved, we will involve ourselves in church-planting related ministries. We put a high priority on ministries where nationals are being trained for leadership in their own church.
D. Supporting missionaries in their work through:
1. Regular prayer support (Eph. 6:18-19).
2. Pastoral support (Rom. 1:11-12).
3. Financial support.
*We will support each missionary on a monthly support basis through the regular offerings that are designated to missions. Our goal is to increase our giving to missions annually and to support more missionaries in the future. “Grace giving” known as faith promise giving will be the Biblical plan for financial missionary support (II Cor. 8-9). PFEBC missionary support will be administered as follows:
a. Providing a love offering (minimum of $100.00) to missionaries who come into our church to preach during a service.
b. Providing support for a minimum of $200 per month to full time missionaries we send from our church.
c. Supporting for a minimum of $75 per month missionaries that we take on that are not from our church.
2. We will expect our missionaries to be responsible and accountable to us at all times through:
a. Corresponding regularly with our church (a minimum of once per quarter).
b. Spending quality time with our church while on furlough (except when they will be living in a different area due to convenience or cost).
c. Faithfulness in their calling and to maintain a godly testimony before the Lord at home and abroad.
IX. Our Church’s Responsibility for Missionaries
Some ways to help our missionaries and maintain a good working relationship with our church family through:
A. Biblical Responsibility
1. Praying for each missionary and their ministry (2 Thes. 3:1).
2. Keeping that missionary accountable to our local church, especially those sent out from PFEBC (Acts 14:27)
3. Contributing faithfully to the financial support of each missionary and/or type of mission work (Phil. 4:15-17).
B. Practical Suggestions to build and maintain a good relationship with our missionaries and/or type of mission work:
1. Read their prayer letters and fervently pray for them (Phil. 1:19; Eph. 6:12).
2. Keep current on information from our church to them.
3. Write them and send them tapes/video tools.
4. Send them missionary periodicals or journals.
5. Send them care packages.
6. Send people to visit/help them on the field.
7. Welcome them into your homes when they are home on furlough.
8. Treat them as regular people and/or as an extension of the pastoral staff.
9. Assist them develop effective presentations with honesty and openness.
10. Meet with them individually to discuss their goals, as well as ministry/personal problems.
11. Assist them with continued education.
12. Incorporate them into an Adult Sunday School class when on furlough.
13. Schedule a time for them to report to our church family regarding the way God is at work in their ministry.
14. Keep the Missions Committee updated with current pictures and ministry information.
Section 2: MISSIONS COMMITTEE
I. Missions Committee
This committee shall consist of at least five adult members of PFEBC who have been appointed by the Pastor annually. Requirements for such members are stated in the church by-laws. All members of the pastoral staff will automatically serve as ex-officio members of the committee.
The duties of the committee shall be to:
A. Assist the Pastor in the planning and promotion of an annual Missions Conference.
B. Interview prospective missionary candidates discussing with them our church’s missionary policy, doctrines, and practices.
C. Meet with those who are returning from service to discover special needs and burdens.
D. Recommend to the Pastor and Deacons an annual missionary budget.
E. Consider all increases and changes in our missionary budget and make recommendations to the Pastor and Deacons.
F. Make every effort to mobilize the entire membership in missionary work.
II. Missions Committee Financial Policies
A. Procedures for approving financial support will be through:
1. The initial contact by a missionary should be by phone or letter to the pastor.
2. An explanation of procedure for support will be sent from the church office by letter or email. A fact sheet/Questionnaire and church’s Statement of Faith will be included with this letter.
3. When the fact sheet is received and reviewed along with other pertinent considerations, the missionary will be presented to the Missions Committee by the Pastor.
4. The missionary is invited for an interview with the Pastor and or Missions Committee; the missionary is invited to present their work to the congregation.
5. The Missions Committee meets and evaluates whether the missionary is to be recommended to the congregation for support.
6. The missionary becomes part of the PFEBC missionary family upon approval by the congregation.
7. The missionary sends prayer letters and other reports to our church at a minimum of once a quarter.
8. These letters are read by the Pastor and Missions Committee and additional needs will be considered.
9. Recommendations to change support levels are made by the Missions Committee to the Pastor and Deacons. Upon a recommendation by the Pastor and Deacons, support levels will be considered by the congregation.
10. The missionary reports to the congregation and is interviewed by the Pastor and Missions Committee when home from the field or when changing fields.
B. Procedures for determining the amount of financial support will be based on the following criteria:
1. The strength of their relationship to PFEBC (i.e. is PFEBC their ‘sending church’).
2. Type of work that they plan to do (church planting, church development, or support ministries).
3. Total amount of support needed.
4. Whether the missionary will need short-term or long-term support.
5. Money towards educational training will be considered on a case-by-case basis for the following:
a) PFEBC members pursuing full-time Christian vocational ministry.
b) Our missionaries seeking to pursue additional training in areas related to their ministry.
6. The Missions Committee will recommend an equitable and balanced support level for each missionary and make it’s recommendations to the Pastor and Deacons accordingly.
7. The Missions Committee will conduct an annual financial review of each missionary endeavor of Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church to evaluate the support levels and budget percentages of each ministry type.
8. The Missions Committee will review these financial policies of the missions program at least every three years. This financial review will be given to the Pastor and Deacons and will be presented to the church at our annual administration meeting.
C. Procedures for discontinuing financial support will be for the following reasons:
1. Resignation and re-entry into the United States.
2. Request for missionary resignation by their board or sending church. If the missionary refuses to return to the States, support will be dropped.
3. Change of fields – support may be continued if the church deems it a legitimate addition to our overall missions program.
4. Missionaries sent out by our church that leave the field permanently to pursue ministry in the States. They will receive support for two months once they are in the States after which support will automatically end.
5. Missionaries who come home on furlough without intentions of returning to the field are not entitled to support for the entire furlough year. They will receive the two months of support to get acclimated to their new situation.
(In the case of unusual hardship, the church can extend support for a number of months at the discretion of the pastor and deacons).
6. Missionaries who leave the field for retirement will have their support dropped after two months in the States. Missionaries who come home to semi-retire and continue ministry part-time will receive partial support at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons and the approval of the congregation.
Section 3: MISSIONARIES
I. The Process of Becoming an Approved Missionary of PFEBC
We consider it a privilege and great responsibility to take on missionaries for support.
For missionaries that are sent out from another church and serviced by a Mission Board, our responsibility is to support them regularly in prayer and finances. We will seek to do all that we can to keep in contact with them and to encourage them in their mission endeavors. We still expect them to answer to us concerning spiritual, ethical, and moral issues in their personal lives and ministry.
For missionaries sent out by our church as their sending church, we have a greater responsibility as the sending ministry. We will give special priority to special needs that they have as well as provide regular support. We realize that we are the main contact with them in the United States and feel and even greater responsibility to them.
A. PFEBC is the sending church (see separate document)
B. PFEBC is not the sending church
Missionaries of this category will submit their request to the Pastor who will pass the information on to the Missions Committee for official consideration in presenting his/her work to our church. After a recommendation from the Committee, and approval by the Pastor and Deacons, then the congregation will hear the missionary presentation. Based on a recommendation by the Pastor/Deacons, the congregation will decide if that missionary and/or type of ministry will be a part of our missions program. To become an approved missionary, a person must:
1. Subscribe to the Statement of Faith of our church and declare himself in agreement with the principles and practices of our church and its ministry.
2. Appear before the Missionary Committee in person to give his/her testimony and answer/ask any questions.
3. Be sent out from our church or be serving with a Missions Board that is not in fellowship with the National or World Council of Churches or other groups which include modernists.
4. Be with a Missions Board that guarantees the support given by our church will go entirely to the said missionary.
5. Be with a Missions Board whose doctrine is in conformity to that of our church as outlined in our Statement of Faith. The Missions Board must be supportive of and in agreement with our church and ministry.
6. Special consideration may be given to those missionaries who are using their home church as a sending missionary agency. In this case, additional communication and evaluation will be necessary to guarantee the like-mindedness of the missionary endeavor. Additionally, a financial statement for accountability purposes and a pastoral review would be annually submitted to PFEBC.
II. Guidelines for Missionaries on Furlough
A. Missionaries that we send out from our church who choose to spend their furlough in Pensacola should be considered an extension of the Pastoral staff at PFEBC. They are welcome to participate in pastoral staff meetings. They may also attend conferences with the pastoral staff and participate in other aspects of pastoral work as their schedule allows.
B. The Missions Committee will conduct an interview of each missionary on furlough to evaluate that missionary's financial support individual spiritual growth, and ministry effectiveness.
