Guidelines
Church to Church Samples
|
HANDBOOK
FOR
INTERNATIONAL
MISSION PARTNERSHIPS
STEPS TO ESTABLISHING,
MAINTAINING, AND DISSOLVING CONGREGATIONAL, PRESBYTERY, AND SYNOD
PARTNER CHURCH RELATIONSHIPS
(note-This
Handbook is described by the World Wide Ministries Division of PCUSA as
a work in progress. This information was scanned from the actual handbook.
There are some formatting and possibly other errors that are not the fault
of the writers of this document but are rather attributable to this web servant...who
begs your tolerance. This document is approximately 20 pages long when
printed.)
VERSION 1.5 REVISED
9/2001
This document is a product
of the EcuPartners Office Team of the Worldwide Ministries Division, Presbyterian
Church (USA). The EcuPartners Team consists of the Offices for Congregational
Relations, Presbytery and Synod International Partnerships, and Ecumenical
Program Facilitation.
DRAFT: This version is a work in progress; version 2.0 is forthcoming which
will be more comprehensive.
1. Introduction
"...that we may be mutually
encouraged by each other's faith. (Romans 1:12)"
Partnerships may be undertaken
at various levels, whether at the denominational level, that of the presbytery
or synod, or even between congregations. As of this writing, over 110 presbyteries
and synods and a large number of PC(USA) congregations have developed significant
relationships with similar bodies in other countries. Some of these "partner
congregation" relationships are occurring within Presbytery and Synod International
Partnerships, and others are being developed through independent initiatives
and actions of local church sessions. The linking of congregations is sometimes
referred to as "sister church" relationships or the "twinning" of congregations.
The Worldwide Ministries Division (WMD) recognizes the potential benefits
of these relationships, as well as those of middle governing bodies, and endeavors
to give some guidance and direction in keeping with the overall objectives
and strategies of PC(USA) mission in the world.
As members of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) engage in worldwide ministries they begin to recognize that Christians
in other countries and cultures have a variety of gifts to offer and faith
experiences to share. Given the opportunity to share these gifts and experiences,
our lives and theirs will be enriched. Being in partnership with Christians
locally, nationally and globally„ we will be strengthened in our ministries.
The PC(USA), through its Worldwide Ministries Division, encourages synods,
presbyteries and congregations to "do mission in partnership" for the sake
of the unity of the Church.
"The Presbyterian Church (USA)
has much to learn from its partner churches. There are significant strengths
in the global church in the areas of evangelism and church development, pastoral
ministry, and witness for social justice that few in our churches recognize.
" Mission in the 1990s
A Partnership with an overseas
church body (congregation, presbytery, district, synod or ecumenical agency)
provides opportunities for US Presbyterians to express the unity of the Church
throughout the world and to engage in the global mission of the Church and
to experience it by learning as well as teaching, receiving as well as giving.
The focus of a partnership is primarily on the building of a reciprocal relationship
that will enable both partners to respond more faithfully to the challenges
of the Gospel. Thus the mission of the PC(USA) and the mission of the overseas
partner church will be strengthened.
top
-In mission
there must be an awareness that partnership demands all partners seek:
to answer God's call in mission, not serve our own needs by "doing good;"
-opportunities
for initiatives in mission by any partner, not one-sided efforts;
mutual respect, not paternalism;
-to
be independent (self-propagating,
self-supporting, self-governing)
church partners with a mission vision, not dependent churches focused on survival;
-interdependent partnerships that are of benefit to all partners,
not one-sided dependent relationships;
-mutuality, not one-way mission;
-opportunities and recognition
for "the least of these," not exploitation to the benefit of the more powerful;
-a growing web of partnerships, not exclusive sets or private domain;
to move to action together in ecumenical partnership, not simply to establish
an "ecumenical relationship;"
-to
meet the holistic needs of churches and people(s), not serve narrow agendas;
-open dialogue, prophetic
challenge and mediation of differences, not coercive or manipulative imposition
of solutions;
-to honor the integrity of
the church context, structures and social dynamics, not to subsidize another's
central church life nor exert undue pressure to change or conform. We seek
the day when Christ's church in all its diversity may show its unity for the
sake of the gospel, not promoting or being content with division.
(From Presbyterians Do
Mission in Partnership, adopted by the 212" General Assembly.)
top
II. Initiating a partnership - identifying
the rationale
Partnership or Project?
A word of clarification
between these two terms is in order. To be in "partnership" with another congregation
or agency does not necessarily require a formal agreement. The simple act
of contributing to missions through the Sunday offering puts one in the role
of being in "partnership" with those who do mission and those at the receiving
end of mission work. Likewise, undertaking a more involved mission experience,
such as traveling to a foreign country to participate in a work project or
contributing expertise or dollars to a specific endeavor identified by two
church entities does constitute working together in partnership, but in the
context of a formalized synod‑to‑synod, presbytery‑topresbytery, or congregation‑to‑congregation
relationship, we are speaking of a longterm agreement to engage one another
in the spirit of friendship, mutuality and reciprocity.
Therefore, one of the first
decisions a congregation must make is how deep and lasting their commitment
is to be. Will there be projects within a partnership relationship? Certainly
there may be. But a true partnership implies the building and nurturing of
a familial relationship over a period of time that transcends one act of working
together, or the writing and sending of one check.
If a project is what suits
your congregation, presbytery, or synod, there are many avenues to pursue.
Consider contributing to the PC(USA)'s Unified Budget for mission giving
by making a donation to one of the several Directed Mission Support projects
listed in the annual book prepared by the Office of Mission Funding, or
by pledging partial support of the salary of a mission worker engaged in
work in the country or region of your interest.
In addition, there are hundreds
of Extra Commitment Opportunity (ECOs) accounts set up within the Worldwide
Ministries Division to which you can contribute, which go to support churches,
schools, hospitals, evangelism, sanitation, public works projects, and so
much more. These can be found in another annual publication from the Mission
Funding folks.
There are a dozen or so international
Travel/Study Seminars offered through the denomination every year, whereby
members of your congregation or mission committee can visit the partner church
in a given land, meet, socialize, and worship with its leaders, learn about
the history, struggles and successes of the overseas partner church and study
the work that is being done by our sister denominations around the world.
There is also an office which
helps to coordinate mission teams from around the US which respond to emergency
and other needs around the world, from disaster response to building projects.
And of course, there are scores
of opportunities for individual mission service, both long term and short,
for individuals feeling called to serve.
If you have opted to forge
a lasting, two way relationship with another body whereby you each learn from
and share with the other, then the next step is to figure out what you have
to give, and what you'd like to receive.
top
Asking the tough questions
Before getting into a "twinning"
relationship, it is helpful to consider the following questions:
1. Why do we want to have
a relationship with a congregation, presbytery, or synod in another country?
2. What are our needs which might be met by having such a relationship?
3. What do we hope to learn by having a relationship with a church in another
country?
4. How might a church in another country benefit by being in relationship
with us? How might they minister to us?
5. What do we have to offer? What human resources? prayer support? Christian
education ideas? Bible studies? music? liturgies? creative outreach programs?
common work projects?
6. In what ways might this relationship help or hinder our witness to our
own community?
7. How can we connect with and strengthen any existing partnership that
our presbytery or synod has already established?
8. How might our partnership connect with and strengthen historical mission
partnerships of our denomination?
9. What person or group in the congregation, presbytery, or synod will
have responsibility for leadership of such a program, including, if a congregation,
being in touch with your Presbytery and/ef the General Assembly offices
for assistance in making contacts, etc.? Who will maintain correspondence
and handle other communications? How will we ensure continuity if primary
responsibility resides with a pastor or mission chair that leaves the church?
10. How will we communicate with our church partner? What technological
resources are available? Are there one or more persons in our congregation,
presbytery, or synod who speak a language other than English?
11. Do we want to plan for exchange visits?
12. How long do we want this sister church or governing body relationship
to last?
13. How do we ensure that the relationship will be reciprocal and mutual,
with activities in which each partner can and will participate, receiving
as well as giving, always respecting the autonomy and the best interest of
the partner church?
top
Determine needs on both sides
A brief Partnership Proposal
should be prepared by a committee or special task force of the mission committee.
The proposal should: (I) identify the needs of the people in the congregation,
presbytery, or synod which might be met by having an international relationship;
(2) identify the gifts or opportunities that could be shared with a partner,
and (3) describe the kinds of activities desired. The proposal may also suggest
a potential partner in a particular country and give the reasons for this
interest, however it is important to be open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit‑be
willing to consider a country you hadn't thought of before!
Partnership activities may
include any or all of the following, and are limited only by your imagination
and the practicalities of distance and resources:
-
Share information about the respective countries,
cultures and churches
-
Study issues of common interest
-
Practice advocacy for the welfare of the partner
-
Exchange visits for the purpose of getting to know
each other, for
mission education,
and for volunteer service
-
Exchange letters‑‑between pastors, sessions, educators,
group
representatives, youth,
children, women's groups, etc.
-
Exchange pictures of the church building, individuals
and groups within
the congregation, the neighborhood and
area where the
congregation is located
-
Exchange maps showing your church and congregation
members'
houses, your town,
state and country
-
Pray make prayers for your partner a regular part
of worship, Bible
studies, and personal devotions/prayer
-
Hold simultaneous Bible studies. Decide with your
partner to have
groups reading and studying the
same passages of Scripture,
exchanging notes or audio cassettes
of discussions for
comparison and contrasts
-
Exchange audio cassettes or written texts of discussions
of the lives
of faith of members of your congregation,
presbytery, or synod
- Exchange histories of your
local area and your congregation
-
Celebrate together. Plan materials to be used jointly
with your partner
to celebrate major
church observances such as World
Communion Sunday, World Day of Prayer
and other joint
religious observances
-
Make phone conference calls to your partner
-
Have a group design a special banner and send to
your partner
-
Exchange children's art work and members' craft projects
or make
hand-crafted items to give as small
gifts which can be used in
partner congregation such as communion
table cloths, etc.
-
Record the adult choir, children's choirs, or hymn
singing on an audio |
cassette to send to partner congregation
-
Send a tape of the sermon or even a whole service
-
Plan a meal like your sister church would serve; exchange
recipes!
-
Learn songs, simple phrases, Bible verses, and liturgical
phrases such
as "Christ is Risen" in the mother tongue
of the partner church's
members
Conduct an educational series on the geography,
history, politics,
religions, and cultures of the your partner's
home country
- If there are students from your sister church's
country studying in your
area,
-
invite them to speak to your congregation, or at
presbytery or synod
meetings, and
to share their experiences with you
-
Exchange descriptions of the way people in your area
celebrate
occasions such as
Christmas and Easter
Display news articles of your partner and events
in that country for all to
see.
-
Also keep these articles in a file in the church library for members
to
read
-
Make personal visits and encourage the partner to
do the same. Arrange
for one or two people
to travel to visit your partner, and upon their
return to report in detail
-
Share information about your partnership with the
denomination and
presbytery and synod officials, as well
as with neighboring
congregations. Submit news
-
articles to denominational and middle governing body
magazines and
newsletters.
top
III. Initiating a partnership - identifying
the partner
A partner may be chosen via
several methods. An acquaintance with a particular individual or church may
have developed through a previous trip taken, or through the visit to your
congregation, presbytery, or synod of an overseas pastor or layperson, through
your church's familiarity with a certain region, because of some other connection
that some of the congregation's members may have, through an existing presbytery
or synod partnership, through the efforts and mediation of the Congregational
Relations Office, or because people prayed with an open mind to go wherever
tt they might be led. In any case, your denominational staff have acquired
a wealth of material and expertise to help you make good decisions, as well
as being able to share with you materials created by other congregations
who have gone through this process before you, and are willing to give guidance
on the journey they have taken. Again, if you are a congregation, strongly
consider working through whatever has been developed by your presbytery
or synod before you‑there may be a wealth of material and expertise in these
sources as well.
Start the process of determining
an appropriate partner by asking the following questions:
Have there been any historical
contacts between our denomination, synod, presbytery or congregation and a
potential partner? For instance, have we received a visitor, sponsored a
mission trip, collected an offering, or undertaken a prayer vigil? Again, perhaps there are persons
in your midst who have had these or similar contacts with persons of another
land, or maybe they are familiar with certain regions because of work‑related
interests or ancestral ties.
What sort of congregation,
middle governing body, or church‑related agency would be appropriate for us?
Consider such factors as
socio‑economic status, agricultural versus rural setting, the stance your
congregation takes regarding social and political issues, ability to converse
in each other's language, and others. Above all, consider size: a large
congregation is usually a very wealthy congregation and should take care
to avoid being mismatched with a tiny, poor congregation. It can be a bit
like a bear dancing with a butterfly.
For Congregations: What can
we do to honor the partnership that our own presbytery or synod has already
established? Over 60% of the presbyteries
and synods in the PC(USA) have ongoing partnerships with overseas denominations
at the middle governing body level. One of the most useful and affirming means
of establishing a congregational partnership is to choose one within this
existing framework, which strengthens ties between all parties, as all the
parts of the body work together in Christian cooperation in joint mission
work.
Are we open to going where
the Spirit leads, even if that partnership may be further away than we had hoped, or in a conflicted part
of the world? Congregational,
presbytery, and synod partnerships in some regions of the world are quite
popular, for obvious reasons: these regions are close at hand, and easy
to get to. The result is that the partner churches in this region face too
many partnerships from North America, to the point that some denominations
have asked us to try and stop new ones from becoming established. Meanwhile,
there are partner churches in countries all over the world who eagerly seek
out partnerships, but which are less attractive to Americans because of
the distance one must travel to visit, or because of conditions such as
war or other political realities. Your national staff are invaluable reference
tools and coworkers in this process, who can provide much up-to-date information
on churches looking for your friendship, and can also help you avoid situations
where a given congregation or middle governing body may be in conflict with
its own denomination or the PC(USA).
top
Gathering
information
Whether you have already chosen
a partner or are open to exploration of various options, a process of getting
acquainted follows, first by communicating with and receiving materials from
the appropriate Area Office within WMD for the region of the world with which
you hope to be in partnership, then by correspondence with the potential church
partner and the exchange of information, and, if possible, by exchange visits.
The proposal for partnership may serve as the basis for the initial conversation
or exchange of ideas between the partners. The overseas partner also offers
their own proposal of needs, gifts and possible activities with its own policy
for carrying out relationships with international groups. This establishes
an atmosphere of mutuality early in the process. As the first contacts are
made, it is important that no premature commitments be made. It is important
to listen for, and to be mindful of the larger priorities of the partner
church. This helps both to maintain the integrity of the existing mission
relationship between the PC(USA) and the national church or agency in the
other country, and also to avoid possible misunderstandings as the partnership
develops. It is always helpful for copies of correspondence between a US
partner and its overseas partner to be sent to the designated leadership of
the overseas national church, to your own presbytery or synod, and to the
Worldwide Ministries Division‑‑to the EcuPartners Team, and/or to the appropriate
geographical Area Coordinator.
top
IV. Initiating a partnership-the next steps
As the partners get acquainted,
they should negotiate a Partnership Agreement or Covenant (also referred to
as a "Memorandum of Understanding"). The purpose of a Partnership Agreement
or Covenant is to define clearly the objectives of the partnership. The Agreement
can also specify, and thereby limit the commitments of time and human, material,
and/or financial resources made by each partner to support the objectives
of the partnership. The Agreement should also include a commitment to a plan
for regular evaluation of the partnership.
Designing a Covenant - the
Seven C's
communion: Begin with prayer.
As a community of believers, lift up together the partnership process and
the plans you are making.
Consideration: Carefully explore
the reasons for creating the relationship,
the details of the process and the hoped‑for results.
Clarity: Spell out clearly
the roles and expectations of each party and the
foundational principles supporting the partnership.
Coordination: Involve other
parties in the covenant process, including
presbytery, synod, and General Assembly
Council staff who can lend
advice and expertise.
Commitment: The sister church
relationship should be fully owned by
both the US partner and the overseas partner.
Concurrence: Both congregations,
as well as middle governing bodies
and the denominational staff of both country's churches,
should agree on
the finished product.
Contributions: provisions for
determining the amount and transfer of
funds for the overseas dimension of the partnership should
be clearly
determined, with gifts routed through Worldwide Ministries
Division, to
strengthen and affirm all parties within both denominations.
top
A good covenant includes the
elements of a faith statement, mutual expectations, and clarity of purpose,
duration, and concurrence by both parties. It is based upon mutual dialog,
consideration, and cooperation. It need not identify all the details of the
partnership, such as activities to be shared or financial implications, as
long as these sorts of details have been clearly defined elsewhere. Below
is a simple covenant between First Church of Youngstown, NY and Acacia Park
Church in South Africa:
BELIEVING
that Christ has called the Church into being, giving it all that
is necessary
for its mission in the world;
that we are called to give
living expression to the unity of the Church in Christ that is beyond any
human boundaries;
that by knowing more about
each other, our lives and our churches, we will also know more about how God
is at work in many different ways in the world;
that by listening to each other,
God will speak to us in new ways and we can grow spiritually; that by praying
for and with each other, the power of the Holy Spirit will energize us;
that by doing mission activities
together we will witness to those without Christ about God's great love that
crosses all national, political, cultural and economic barriers;
that the partnership between
our two presbyteries will be strengthened and deepened by congregation to
congregation partnerships:
We the congregation of
Acacia Park Church in Wynberg
Presbytery
and
we the congregation of
First Presbyterian Church in Youngstown in the Presbytery of Western New
York
DO COVENANT TOGETHER TO
pray for and with
communicate with and listen
to learn from work with stand in solidarity with, and witness to God's reconciling
work of love with each other for the period of 2000-2004
<signatures>
<list of possible ways to
interact as partner congregations>
NOTE: Any expenditures over
an amount over $200 should be coordinated through the Presbytery's committees
(the South African Work Group In Western New York Presbytery and the Ecumenical
Commission of the Wynberg Presbytery) in order to prevent inequities, since
some congregations would be more financially able to do more than those with
limited means.
top
Another "C" Continuity
Whether
you choose to call your relationship "Twinned congregations" or a "SisterChurch
relationship" or a "congregational, presbytery, or synod partnership", it means just that.
It is not a pastor‑to‑pastor relationship, nor one of a small group of persons
serving on a committee or interest group, but rather an experience of the
entire church, presbytery or synod.. If too much responsibility for maintaining
the relationship is lodged with one person or a group of persons, there is
danger that the partnership could stagnate, or worse, dissolve. What if your
pastor is the lead point person for maintaining contact and he or she takes
another call? What contingency plan do you have for continuing the partnership?
EVERYONE should be involved in the twinning experience. Enter into the relationship
with joy, expectation and prayer that lives will be changed, becoming intermingled
with each other's.
Duration and Evaluation
The initial period or duration
of a partnership might be three to five years. There should be an evaluation
of the partnership in the last year of the agreed period which should determine
strengths and weaknesses of the partnership, and how it may be continued and
nurtured, or terminated if both partners so desire. It is helpful to include
in this process middle governing body and WMD staff. Following the evaluation
the partnership may be terminated with appreciation, or the Partnership Agreement
or Covenant may be re‑negotiated or amended, and the partnership continued
for another specified period of time. Whenever the Partnership Agreement
is revised or amended, it needs the approval of all parties concerned, as
with the original agreement, partly because priorities of the national churches,
middle governing bodies or even congregations may have changed. In no case,
however, should a partnership be terminated unilaterally by either side without
prior consultation with and agreement of the other partner.
top
A
CHECK LIST FOR THE EVALUATION OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
U S PARTNER:
OVERSEAS PARTNER:
[INDICATE "YES" OR 'NO"]
1 . THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY
THE US PARTNER ARE APPROPRIATE‑‑THAT ISO THEY CAN BE AND HAVE BEEN MET BY
HAVING AN OVERSEAS PARTNER.
2. THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY
THE OVERSEAS PARTNER ARE APPROPRIATE‑‑THAT ISO THEY CAN BE AND HAVE BEEN MET
BY THE PC(USA) PARTNER.
3. THE PARTNERS HAVE CLEARLY
IDENTIFIED GIFTS OR RESOURCES, AND SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND\OR
SERVING, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO
PROVIDE.
4. THE ACTIVITIES TO WHICH
THE PARTNERS HAVE MUTUALLY AGREED ARE REALISTIC AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY
UNDERTAKEN.
5. THE MUTUALLY AGREED‑UPON
ACTIVITIES SEEM TO BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE OVERSEAS
PARTNER CHURCH SO FAR AS THE SITUATION AND NEEDS IN THAT COUNTRY ARE KNOWN.
6 . BOTH PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED
SOME KIND OF SUPPORT FOR THE PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES BY THEIR PARTICIPATION,
MATERIAL AND/OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES‑‑SO FAR AS THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE.
7. THE PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
AND COMMITMENTS OUTLINED IN THE COVENANT AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT
ANTICIPATING AND NURTURING A CLIMATE OF MUTUAL OR RECIPROCAL MISSION RELATIONSHIP.
COMMENTS
OVERALL
EVALUATION:
EXCELLENT
GOOD FAIR POOR
top
V. Financial implications the Dangerous
Dollar
Funding for international
partnership activities is the responsibility of both parties to the Partnership.
It is important that the overseas partner make some contribution in money,
materials or services rendered. When a congregation, presbytery, or synod
considers providing funds for the benefit of an overseas partner, priority
should be given to the special needs that have already come to the PC(USA)
as requests from the national church or other agency in that country. These
special needs are listed in the current Extra Commitment Opportunity (ECO)
booklet published by the Mission Funding Office. (Financial support for ECO
objectives in a given country, or for mutually agreed activities of the partnership,
are to be in addition to giving to regular benevolences (Basic Mission Support)
for presbytery, synod and General Assembly causes, and such funding should
not replace any church‑wide designated offerings (i.e., One Great Hour of
Sharing, Pentecost, Peacemaking, or Christmas Joy)
One of the biggest mistakes,
in spite of the most well-meaning of intentions, that US partners can make
is to shower large amounts of money on an overseas partner who has demonstrated
obvious need, or whose socio‑economic status is considerably lower than what
an average North American takes for granted. Americans are fabulously wealthy
by the standard of most of the world's population, and it is ingrained in
our culture to give and give generously to alleviate suffering in other nations.
However, in the context of international partnerships, it only takes a couple
of zeros on a check to begin to cause trouble. When you stop and consider
that the operating budgets of many of our US congregations exceed that of
entire overseas denominations, it is easy to see that sudden influxes of cash
can be very disruptive.
For example, In mythical Country
A, there are two villages very similar to one another in size and composition
which lie very near each other. Each has a congregation of the local partner
church. One of them has developed a relationship with a US congregation, and
through that partnership has raised funds for a new roof on their sanctuary,
has initiated a project to bring electricity and running water to their village,
has received medical mission teams to inoculate all the village children against
malaria, and the standard of living of most of the village's residents has
gone up considerably, to where they are now able to afford consumer goods
which were previously out of their grasp. Sounds good, right? However, the
church in the next village has no such partnership, and has none of the benefits
that the first church enjoys. So now a simple act of Christian charity and
benevolence has fomented jealousy and bitterness between rival churches. In
the annual Synod (General Assembly) the church with money now tries to control
everything, and even runs roughshod over the denomination's elected officials,
bypassing the usual decision‑making process. The partner church is in chaos
and there are rumors of a schism. There is malcontent all around. The Dangerous
Dollar has struck again.
Unfortunately, the preceding
scenario is all too real. Partnership activities may certainly include some
common tasks or projects that require funding. However, a partnership should
not be built around projects which require large dollar funding. Any project
that may be undertaken together should be self‑sustaining, so as not to create
dependency.
There are several practical
means by which to lessen the focus of a partnership on finances. One has already
been mentioned, which is to ensure that there is a commitment on the part
of both partners to contribute in some way to any expenses incurred. In every
sense, a partnership must be two‑way; a relationship based on the one‑way
flow of money is not a healthy
partnership.
Another method is to require
self‑imposed limits on spending. It may even be built into the Covenant agreement
that up to a certain amount may be spent in any given year on particular projects.
Keep this amount low, and stick to it. There are probably alreadyestablished
means of tackling larger projects which require more money, and which have
been identified specifically for their benefit to all the churches in the
denomination or region, but these have been established at the denominational
level, and it is far safer for all involved and maintains the integrity of
the partnership to allow the flow
of
funds for these sorts of things to be transmitted at that level.
Finally, the issue of transferring
funds is crucial. To avoid previously mentioned scenarios as well as the adverse
connotations that arise when a North American, or any wealthy guest, is seen
as the benefactor or dispenser of money, not to mention the need for security,
it is advised that monetary donations from one church to another be sent
through the national offices. There is never any portion of that donation
taken for the operating expenses of WMD, and there is full accountability
and transparency of records. Hand carrying, or otherwise transferring money
directly to an overseas church partner should be actively discouraged in all
cases. Your partnership then is more likely to be people‑centered, not based
on monetary transactions.
Presbyteries and Synods which
send funds to their partners through the denomination may do so through specific
accounts set up individually for them by the GAC accounting offices. For congregations
and individuals, the process is different. The Congregational Relations Office
has established a special ECO (Extra Commitment Opportunity) account through
which donations should flow. It is ECO 051798.
top
VI. The role of Worldwide Ministries
Division How does WMD help?
In the process of developing
a congregational, presbytery of synod partnership, and in carrying out partnership
activities, it is helpful to work closely with the WMD. With respect to PC(USA)
mission work in many countries, there are prior, existing relationships and
working agreements that will in large measure determine what is helpful in
relation to the overseas partner church. Every effort needs to be made to
respect existing relationships and to honor the agreements for mission work
which have been made by the PC(USA) with overseas partners. To do otherwise
can be disruptive to the life and work of the overseas partner church.
There are established procedures
within the WMD with regard to the sending and the receiving of mission personnel.
The People in Mutual Mission offices of WMD, and especially the International
Volunteers Office, have experience, an established process, and some financial
assistance that can help facilitate the sending or receiving of volunteers
to or from the overseas partner church.
Consultation with the appropriate
WMD staff person who has responsibility for a given region of the world, can
be of enormous help to you in determining the appropriateness of a given venture
in a particular time and place.
Cooperation with WMD is important
with regard to project requests that may come directly to a PC(USA) individual,
congregation, presbytery or synod from an international partner. In most cases
there are already channels of communication for receiving priority or validated
requests from overseas partner churches; these channels and the proper decision‑making
process within the overseas partner church need to be recognized and honored.
Cooperation with WMD is also important with regard to specialized ministries
such as evangelism and new church development, leadership training, and
health ministries when these may be considered as a partnership activity.
The program and functional staff of the WMD in these areas are in a position to give
helpful advice concerning involvement in specialized ministries.
The WMD is sometimes able
to provide very limited financial assistance for international
travel which is directly related to the partnership activities. Requests
for this assistance may be made in writing to the Congregational
Relations Office of the EcuPartners Team of the WMD.
In addition, the Mission to the USA program (MUSA) has been established to
help a congregation, presbytery, or synod receive an overseas
guest to live among the members for a period of 1‑3 months,
helping with leadership in worship, Bible study, community events, and many
other projects which further strengthen the relationship of all parties. The
MUSA office can assist with some of the costs, as well as providing assistance
with getting a visa, and with orientation materials and other logistics.
top
WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES
YOUR PARTNERS IN SHARING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
Involved in mission internationally?
Or in the U.S. through disaster
assistance, development or hunger work?
If so, the Worldwide Ministries
Division of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Council wants
to work with you!
Worldwide Ministries seeks
to empower the church throughout the world to share the transforming power
of the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people. People choose to work with
Worldwide Ministries in order to:
Connect with
proven partners: Worldwide Ministries nurtures
relationships with 165 partner churches in 80 countries, and with many mission
organizations in the U.S. and abroad. These partner relationships are your
heritage and birthright, and can guide and greatly enrich your mission involvements.
Ensure good
relations: When you connect with your
denomination's partners, you enhance relationships which matter to other Presbyterians,
including our mission coworkers serving in a given partner's country, and
you avoid causing unintentional problems for those relationships. No one
likes to be taken unawares.
Learn from
past mistakes and successes: Your mission dollars have
created a core group of full‑time mission staff, and allow us to send hundreds
of mission workers around the world. These people have expertise, and access
to expertise, on a vast array of topics that can enhance your mission involvements.
Be more through
coordination: Worldwide Ministries has an
overview of who is already doing what and with whom, in mission. With coordination,
we contribute to something that is much greater than the sum of our separate
mission efforts.
Avoid needless
problems: If kept "in the loop," Worldwide
Ministries can help avoid difficulties, and provide assistance when your
mission efforts take a puzzling or negative turn.
Track your
funds: WMD
is part of the stewardship of tens of millions of dollars in donordesignated
funds every year. Our system provides for accountability and open books on
the part of every party.
Care for and
connect with mission workers: Mission workers sent out by
action of the General Assembly Council are reviewed in regard to church membership,
faith expression, abilities, and matched with expressed needs of partners.
They benefit from care, supervision, insurance, a 24‑hour hotline, and systems
for transferring funds. Thousands of congregations using the
Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study
pray for them. We give full‑time
support to their personalized communications with you.
Give efforts
a greater chance to last. All of your efforts in mission
are more likely to have an enduring impact if there is commitment from mission
colleagues beyond your congregation, including those in Worldwide Ministries.
Network with
others doing similar mission: Let us connect you with others
whose involvements are related to yours either by region of the world or by
type of effort.
Model Christian
humility and hospitality. We discern God's will better,
and accomplish more, when we work together thoughtfully for the greater good.
The General Assembly recently adopted a policy statement about this, "Presbyterians
Do Mission In Partnership."
top
|
