Resources
Below are many resources to help you and your ministry. Please scroll through and find the ones that are most helpful to you!
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Planning Calendars
- The calendar lists denominational, regional, and district activities
- Valuable for personal use as well as an office tool
- Includes Missionary Church resources
- Begins September of the present year and ends December of the coming year
Order Deadline: July 22. All Missionary Church churches, regional and district offices receive one free, if requested. Additional calendars may be purchased for $7.00 each.
Payment for additional calendars is due before shipment (calendars will ship in August this year).
For your free calendar, complete the Online form below. For additional copies, download the order form by clicking here, complete the form and mail it as directed.
Contact [email protected] with any questions.
Chaplaincy Consulting
Download this document for an introduction to Chaplaincy Consulting.
Why Pastors Quit
Jason Helopulous
Statistics regarding pastors are not encouraging. The Francis Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development reports that 35-40% of ministers last less than 5 years in the ministry. Many statistics show that 60-80% of those who enter the ministry will no longer be laboring in the ministry 10 years later. Whether these statistics are right or not, it is clear that there are struggles with persevering in the ministry. I would suggest that the reasons below are the greatest struggles to perseverance in the ministry:
Conflict: This is arguably one of the biggest surprises to young pastors. Conflict happens in the church; and it happens all the time. Those in ministry will often be called upon to mediate conflict, navigate the waters of a conflict, and are regularly the target of much conflict. Pastors will find that there are hateful, petty, arrogant, rude, brooding, and discontent people in their congregations. Unfortunately, and coming as a surprise to many pastors, is the fact that the unconverted don’t tend to cause the majority of conflict; it is the converted who often launch the hardest persecutions. As William Still one said, “They want their part of the Gospel or their emphasis, usually that which they wrongly think does not touch them, call upon them, or challenge them.” It is also the true that pastors are often the source of conflict themselves. Sin, errors in judgment, and mistakes in leadership can cause firestorms.
Encouragement: When pastors are engaged in conflict, they must search their own hearts to see if their passions are out of control (James 4:1-2). Has sin had a way with them? This must be their first and foremost concern. However, most pastors will find that a great deal of conflict in the church will not be a result of their own personal sin. To survive, a pastor must not carry every burden and conflict. There are times to “let go” and move on. Thick skin and a tender heart are good traits for a pastor. You must teach without fear the whole counsel of God, stand by your convictions, and be winsome; but let the chips fall no matter who may be offended.
Discouragement: What a foe this can be. It can drain zeal and the very life out of ministry. Pastors may labor for years and see very little fruit (1 Corinthians 3:2). Yet, they are called to continued labor. People under your care may continually disappoint. Where you thought progress had been made, there can be a sudden and awful turn to sin with no remorse, repentance, or seeming conviction. You can begin to doubt your own effectiveness, gifts, and even calling.
Encouragement: Look for little glimmers of God’s work and grace. We often miss the small encouragements He sends our way, because we are complaining about not seeing more. Be thankful for every blessing. And continue to allow yourself to be surprised by peoples’ actions and sins. Don’t become cynical. Read good biographies of saints, who labored long and hard for the good of the Kingdom. Find a Barnabus (“Son of Encouragement”) or two (Acts 4:36), who will talk you off the ledge and feed your soul. Lastly, don’t forget that our work is spiritual and the world’s measuring stick is not our measuring stick.
Suffering: This is real and not to be dismissed. We all know that suffering is part of the Christians life (Matthew 10:38; 16:24) and it is often the case that pastors experience this in great measure. This can come in forms as various as persecution, financial hardship, and family trials related to ministry.
Encouragement: Be aware of the persecuted Church and regularly pray for it. It will keep your mind and heart steadied when persecution comes. Expect to suffer and prepare your family for suffering. And when the suffering comes, plead with God that you might grow to see it as a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ (Philippians 1:27-30). Continue to look to the example of others in church history and to the cross as you seek to persevere.
Burnout: This may be the number one reason pastors give for why they left the ministry. The hours can be long, the phone calls can be late, the concern for others can be unending, there are no three-day weekends, and the vacations can be few. The job can be spiritually, emotionally, and spiritually tiring. In addition, too many men complicate the situation by keeping the candle burning at both ends. The result is that they tend to be exhausted in a few years.
Encouragement: Have a Sabbath each week–keep it, safeguard it, and enjoy it. Don’t feel like you have to be at every event and minister to every person. You aren’t omnipresent or omniscient, so don’t act like it. Take vacations with your family. The men who brag about not using all their vacation days are not super-spiritual, they are super-foolish. Take breaks from email. Schedule regular private retreats where you can spend time alone with the Lord in prayer. Schedule a couple of days every quarter or twice a year. Find people that encourage, refresh, and feed you. I am always on the lookout for a Philemon (Phil. 1:7), who refreshed the souls of those around him. The benefit of these people cannot be overestimated.
Cares of the World: Business, family, money, position, prestige, and ease can be like the Sirens in Greek Mythology. Their cry can be loud and enticing. And when entertained, they can devour.
Encouragement: Consider Demas as a ready warning (Colossians 4:14; 2 Timothy 4:10; Philemon 1:24). None of us are ever beyond these temptations. Recognize where you are most easily seduced, pray with your wife regularly about it, and let your fellow elders know.
Loneliness: The pastorate can be a very lonely place. Everyone in the church knows you (for some pastors, everyone in the community knows you), yet no one “knows” you. Pastors can stumble into the habit of thinking they are above or outside the body of Christ. Pastors can fall into the temptation of thinking that they no longer need others ministering to them. And when this happens, ministry becomes very lonely (and deadly).
Encouragement: Let people know your need of them (Titus 3:12). Don’t be shy about asking for their help, support, love, and friendship. Be willing to allow others to minister to you (Philippians 2:19-29). This requires showing weakness and not pretending to have all the answers all the time. Find someone to pray with regularly–another pastor, elder, lay-leader, or friend. Someone you can share struggles with. A person who will be thrilled to hear about your life, ministry, and will strongly encourage you. Trust your wife, nurture your marriage, and allow her to have a full-view into your soul.
Moral Failure: This is too often the cause for pastors leaving the ministry. Lying, slothfulness, adultery, and coveting tend to lead the list. Nothing is more devastating to the Kingdom or the local church. A pastor’s sin has the potential of touching and affecting a myriad of lives. One fall and an entire church or even an entire community can be discouraged from Christ.
Encouragement: Don’t be busy about Kingdom work and forget Kingdom life. Rise early to pray (Mark 1:35). Refuse to turn in for bed on Saturday night until you are affected with the sermon you will preach Sunday morning. Allow others the freedom to confront you! Your own personal holiness, by God’s grace and according to the work of the Spirit, must be your greatest pursuit. Know and believe what Robert Murray Mc’Cheyne said, “My people’s greatest need is my own personal holiness.” Without a holy pastor they will be like “sheep without a shepherd.” As William Still said, “It is the godly character which is the real pastor, or is the basis of him.”
Perseverance in the ministry will always be a challenge. And in many ways it should be. This itself is a blessing. However, it seems that each year we lose a lot of good men due to one of the reasons above. We should know these trials to ministry, seek to actively combat them, and discuss them with every seminarian and young pastor. Who knows, there may be a few more that persevere as a result. And what a blessing that would be for the Church.
Sanctity of Human Life
Be a Voice:
Sanctity of human life week is in January.
Check out to web site for ways you may be a voice for life.
Resources are available at www.beavoice.net.
Scholarships
BETHEL COLLEGE MASTER OF MINISTRY PROGRAM
This program is available to all licensed and ordained Missionary Church ministers who are presently serving full-time in a Missionary Church. Other Missionary Church students may apply provided funds are available.
Scholarship monies are based on $113 per credit hour taken per semester of the Bethel College Master of Ministry program. A copy of the Bethel College Student Monthly Statement should accompany each request. A copy of the previous semester’s grade report should accompany ongoing requests. Checks are payable to the student and Bethel College.
Applications should be sent to:
Scholarships
Missionary Church, Inc.
P. O. Box 9127
Fort Wayne IN 46899-9127
Students not completing courses for which they have received scholarship money will not receive additional scholarships until those courses are completed.
Students failing to maintain satisfactory grades (at least a C grade or above) will not be considered for scholarships.
MINISTERIAL SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP
In order to assist Missionary Church graduate ministerial students who are continuing their preparation for ministry in the Missionary Church in seminaries or other similar institutions, a modest annual apportionment is made to provide scholarship assistance. Students may apply to the Director of U.S. Ministries and must be approved by their district executive board and the denominational directors to enter the scholarship program.
Full-time students may qualify for assistance of up to $1,000 per academic year. Recipients are eligible for three years of benefits to total no more than $3,000.
Preference is given to full-time students who are enrolled in a Master of Divinity program and whose stated intention is to serve in pastoral or church planting ministry.
Scholarship applications for the fall semester must be received by August 1st, and applications for the spring semester must be received by January 1st. The directors will approve scholarships each semester. Scholarships will be paid after the registrar of the academic institution in which the recipient is enrolled has certified course enrollment.
Applicants should complete the Missionary Church doctrinal questionnaire as part of the application process.
Applications should be sent to:
Scholarships
Missionary Church, Inc.
P. O. Box 9127
Fort Wayne IN 46899-9127
Continuing Students Application
KENNETH E. GEIGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The purpose of the Kenneth E. Geiger Memorial Scholarship Fund is to promote and assist in the training of students of Christian ministry who demonstrate exceptional ability and commitment to excellence in ministry. Applicants must be in the last year of a masters level program at an approved seminary or in at least the first year of a doctoral level program. Preference will be given to applicants at the doctoral level who are graduates of approved seminaries or who have served the Missionary Church.
Dr. Kenneth E. Geiger was committed to excellence in his life of service in the Missionary Church. Upon graduation from college, he began a pastoral ministry that, after 13 years, led his peers to select him as their district superintendent. In 1956 he was elected general superintendent of the former United Missionary Church. In 1969 Dr. Geiger was elected the first president of the Missionary Church. He served in this position until he retired from full-time ministry in 1981.
On July 20, 1984, after 46 years of committed service to Christ and His Church, Dr. Kenneth E. Geiger was killed in an automobile accident while enroute to the Nigerian Conference of the United Missionary Church of Africa.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Kenneth E. Geiger Memorial Scholarship Fund is to promote and assist in the training of students for Christian ministry who demonstrate exceptional ability and commitment to excellence in ministry.
ELIGIBILITY
The criteria for eligibility for the Kenneth E. Geiger Memorial Scholarship shall include the following:
- A member in good standing and be licensed or approved for license in the Missionary Church.
- Be in the last year of a masters level program at an approved seminary or in at least the first year of a doctoral level program. Preference will be given to applicants at the doctoral level who are graduates of approved seminaries or who have served the Missionary Church.
- Evidence of a commitment to Christian service.
- Demonstrate academic excellence.
- Possess good communication skills.
- Evidence leadership potential.
The application materials will include letters of recommendation from the applicant’s pastor, district superintendent, institution in which he/she is enrolled and a lay person from the Missionary Church. Other materials to be submitted include transcripts, statement of call and plans for ministry and a written sermon. Scholarship awards will not be conditioned on evidence of financial need.
Applications should be sent to:
Scholarships
Missionary Church, Inc.
P. O. Box 9127
Fort Wayne IN 46899-9127
Investment in Shared Ministries
Why is the Investment in Shared Ministries fund important?
The cost of being a denomination and of coordinating, organizing and motivating the effort of local churches in national outreach is funded through the this area of the budget.
In addition to administrative concerns of the Fort Wayne, Indiana office, funds in this account impact church planting, ethnic ministries, men’s and women’s programs, compassion and benevolent ministries, Bethel College, insurance and many other areas. Local church support materials, Growing a Healthy Church workshops, Missionary Church Today and Priority all depend on the Investment in Shared Ministries fund. In fact, excluding world missions, this account supports every aspect of denominational ministry and administration!
Why is a 2% investment necessary to fund this account?
When the Missionary Church, Inc. was formed in 1969, it had a unified budget that cared for the total denominational administrative and overseas costs. But when the missionary share support system was developed, funds generated through shares were designated only for overseas ministry. The budget was no longer unified. As more and more money was committed to “shares,” the Investment in Shared Ministries area of the budget received less and less.
In 1987, churches were encouraged to set aside 2% of their income to what had always been part of the unified budget. By 1991, only 13% of denominational churches were supporting the fund at this level and over 50% were not supporting it at all. To insure funding, it was necessary to adopt the 2% investment and participation has increased dramatically.
How is the 2% investment calculated?
The 2% is figured on total contribution income on the annual report form submitted to district and denominational offices. Each year the denominational office provides this calculation to assist each church in planning their following year’s budget.
What about inflated income?
When a church experiences inflated income due to a building program, bequests, etc. it can only utilize the 20% maximum increase (over the preceding year’s assessment) for three continuous calendar years. After the third year, the church must revert to the full 2% funding.
What if a church can’t give 2%?
Not only is the 2% giving an investment, it’s also a realistic goal for which churches should strive. Some give 2% while others are able to give as much as 10%. In isolated situations, a church may find it is impossible to invest the full 2%. If your church finds itself in this dilemma, please contact the denominational office to negotiate a lesser assessment goal.
Health Insurance
Pastors and Full Time Employees
The denomination terminated its health plan at the beginning of 2001, however, a similar regional plan was established in its place. Basically, the Central, East Central and North Central District churches and the denominational office are eligible to participate in the plan.
This regional health plan is currently serviced through Pro-Claim Plus of Fort Wayne, Indiana and includes life insurance for participants as well.
If interested in additional information or cost of coverage, please contact Pro-Claim Plus at 1-800-821-2150. For those churches outside of the region, please contact your district office for information regarding health insurance.
Pledge of Commitment
We pledge together as followers of Jesus Christ and fellow leaders entrusted with the responsibility to lead the Missionary Church…
- To honor, trust and respect each other
- To have direct and open communication with each other in spite of stress or disagreement. “…speaking the truth in love.” Ephesians 4:15 NIV
- To keep short accounts and take action without delay to repair relatonal issues.
- To pray regularly and faithfully for each other.
- To “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV
- To protect, think the best of and give each other the benefit of the doubt when faced with a negative report.
- To encourage each other and affirm each other’s work and contribution to the team by virtue of one’s personal value and standing in Christ
- To endeavor to invest at least 1 hour daily in personal prayer-5 days per week
- To endeavor to fast and pray at least 1 day per month for the next year.
- To be alert and intentional about building personal connections and relationships for the purpose of evangelism and discipleship.
- To “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 NIV
Guidestone Ministry Resources
Resources for preaching
Blue Letter Bible
The goal of blueletterbible.org is to facilitate in-depth study of God’s Word through an online interactive reference library continuously updated from the teachings and commentaries of selected pastors and teachers who hold to the conservative, historical Christian faith.
Study Light
StudyLight.org is a Christ-centered, Bible-based Internet ministry which provides a variety of Bible study and sermon preparation tools.
Bible.Org
Bible.org is a non-profit Christian ministry headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The Ministry launched in 1995 to leverage the Internet as a powerful new force in Christian ministry. In the last decade Bible.org has grown to serve millions of individuals around the world through providing thousands of trustworthy resources for Bible study.
Pastor Appreciation
Every October, pastor appreciation month, thousands of churches throughout the United States and other countries find special ways to honor and express gratitude for pastors.
Pastors come in all shapes and sizes. No two are exactly alike. Some are more highly educated than your medical doctor, lawyer, teacher, governor or president. Some of our most effective pastors, however, did not have the opportunity for higher education. These pastors have spent many years in self-directed study.
Some of the best educated pastors I have known, and I have known thousands of them, were not graduated from college or even high school, but they spent years and hours each day in reading, serious Bible study, attending conferences, learning from others and relying on superb mentors to rise to the top of their profession and calling.
Many older ministers were not enrolled in a church pension plan early in their ministry and so their pension may be very small along with small social security checks. Most have retired and no longer pastor churches after the age of 75. Prices continue to rise and income remains where it has been.
At the opposite end of the spectrum are younger pastors who may have just completed their training and have large debts hanging over their heads. They often begin their pastoral careers with a large debt and small salary.
If you are actively involved with a church, there is the pastor, the older former pastors who are now retired and other pastoral staff members. Many ministers will rejoice and be glad if you remember to express your appreciation to them in some way or in many ways. St. Paul wrote, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers . . .” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
One church I know well, and others will follow, is presenting pastors with gift cards, gifts of food, money for clothes, funds to be put into an educational fund for their children, money for vacation expenses or an invitation to have a meal at a parishioner’s house. All these gifts will be appreciated and so will a brief thank you note.
These are a few of the things pastors appreciate. Younger pastors with small children need this kind of help and even a few free baby-sitting days by adults.
The older minister, a former pastor, the pastor who is ill and he and his wife do not have the same work-energy they had when they were in their fifties, sixties and early seventies will need and deeply appreciate all the things you do to express your appreciation.
Think about it and you will come up with numerous ways to express your appreciation for a minister who has been important in your life and to your family.
I am what I am largely because of the influence of pastors and other ministers. I appreciate what they did for me. Enjoy letting your pastor know he or she is deeply appreciated.
Written and used with permission by Bill Ellis and ASSIST News Service.
Age Level Ministries
Children’s Ministries
The purpose of the Missionary Church Children’s Ministries is “to establish in every Missionary Church a children’s ministry committed to winning, building, and equipping children for Jesus Christ and enabling parents/care-givers to teach God’s Word in daily living.” (Deut. 6:6-7)
We believe that the biblical purpose of children’s ministry is to reach and disciple children for Jesus Christ. “To reach,” means to evangelize. It isn’t simply inviting unchurched children to an activity planned for Christians, but rather, the planning of specific programs geared to attract unsaved children to a clear presentation of the gospel. “To disciple” is to minister to a child at his/her own level of spiritual interest with the intent of moving him/her to the next level.
An important, and often neglected, role of children’s ministry is the equipping of children for ministry. Frequently children’s ministry is viewed as something done by adults to children. A vital element of discipleship is equipping people to serve. Children have the ability to minister to other people at various levels. Children can learn responsibility, become involved in service, and begin to reach their peers for Jesus Christ.
An effective children’s ministry also plays a vital role in enabling parents/caregivers to fulfill their responsibility as God’s primary resource for reaching and discipling children. As the church enables and cooperates with parents/caregivers, biblical concepts and principles can effectively be reinforced in daily living.
Let’s Explore Our Faith is a children’s catechism. This publication has been updated and may be downloaded. You have permission to duplicate lessons as needed.
Click to Download (You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the following lessons.)
Let’s Explore Our Faith:
Lesson 1: God and His Word
Lesson 2: What is God Like?
Lesson 2: (Cards)
Lesson 3: God the Father
Lesson 4: God the Son
Lesson 5: God the Holy Spirit
Lesson 6: Man: Created and Fallen
Lesson 7: Man: Redeemed
Lesson 8: Bible Study
Lesson 9: Prayer
Lesson 10: The Church
Lesson 11: The Missionary Church – My Church
Lesson 12: The Return of Christ
Lesson 12: (Overheads) When Will the Rapture Happen?
Youth Ministries
Purpose – Our desire as a denominational youth team is to… Ignite a passion in Missionary Church Youth Ministries that enables students to MEET Jesus (Win), KNOW Jesus (Build) and SERVE just like Jesus (Equip).
Our Plan – In order to see this purpose statement become a reality we embarked on these plan of action areas:
Promote Purpose – by championing the cause of purposeful youth ministry as expressed in our purpose statement.
Provide Training – by facilitating the regular training of adult and student youth leaders with strategic principle-based instruction on building a ministry with a Great Commission passion.
Prompt Networking – by encouraging regionalized (district) networking of youth workers for the purpose of support, accountability to our purpose statement and expanded ministry to students through networked outreaches.
Produce Models and Multipliers – by identifying and investing in individuals and ministries who are Makers of Disciplemakers
Bible Quizzing… is a program of competition centered on knowledge of a book or books of the Bible. The purpose of Bible Quizzing is: (a) to learn God’s Word; (b) to develop Christian character; (c) to participate in good Christian competition; (d) to develop group unity through the Holy Spirit to accomplish a goal; (e) to use a fun way of studying the Bible daily; (f) to meet other youth who are quizzers; (g) to travel to many tournaments, conventions, etc; (h) to compete in order to bring honor and glory to Christ; (i) to help people grow spiritually; (j) to help people become more disciplined; and (k) to equip people to reach others for Christ. For further information, contact Kevin Schreck. Visit quizcoach.com for more information.
Women’s Ministries
It shall be the function of Women’s Ministries to assist in the home and overseas missionary activities of the denomination; to aid in the organizing and conducting of district, regional, and local ministries for spiritual edification and the promotion of such work as may be mutually agreed upon; to direct the efforts of the organization in keeping with the policies of the denomination and to correlate them with the respective departments.
A council, consisting of the denominational Women’s Ministries director and the regional and district Women’s Ministries directors, shall coordinate and give general direction to the activities of the organization. It shall serve as a policy-making and advisory body, basic policy to be subject to the approval of the Ministry Leadership Council. The council shall effect its own organization and it may devise bylaws governing its procedures subject to the approval of the Ministry Leadership Council.
A Women’s Ministries Director shall be appointed by the director of U.S. Ministries upon the recommendation of the Women’s Ministries Council. The appointment shall be for two years.
A report of the Women’s Ministries Council shall be given to each General Conference.
Men’s Ministries
In fulfillment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), the purpose of Missionary Men International shall be to establish in every Missionary Church a ministry committed to winning, building, and equipping men for Jesus Christ; and to give active support to the home and foreign work of the denomination in keeping with the objectives and policies of the denomination and in correlation with respective divisions and departments.
Beyond the local outreach ministry of each MMI group, Church Multiplication and Theological Extension by Extension (TEE) are supported through prayer, encouragement, and financial contributions. Men’s groups are often a part of a WP USA Volunteer Service (WPVS) project. They also participate in other effective men’s ministries such as Promise Keepers and National Coalition of Men’s Ministries.
Pray Magazine is worth the subscription price. It is published by The Navigators, Box 35004, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3504.
Some sites to check out:
Training
Growing a Healthy Church … seminars are designed to teach leaders how to create a healthy church environment as well as balanced focus on winning, building and equipping disciples. For further information and costs, contact Dan Riemenschneider at (260) 747-2027.
Natural Church Development … Based on a study of 1,000 churches on five continents, Christian Schwarz identifies 8 essential qualities for church health. We offer this diagnostic tool to provide an assessment for the local church. For further information and costs, contact Dan Riemenschneider at (260) 747-2027.
Finding God’s Purpose for the Church
Written by Dwight Smith and Robert Mountford, this material is Bible-based in doctrine, practical in its application and prepared to enable leaders to mobilize existing churches and plant new ones.
The training kit includes 3 DVDs containing 20 video sessions; a CD with a leader’s guide, Powerpoint slides and supplemental materials and one participant’s workbook. The price is $99. Order from Church Services at 888-275-9094.
Additional workbooks may be purchased for $25 each or in packets of 5 for $110 or packets of 10 for $200.
SONLIFE Classic
For 25 years classic Sonlife has taught the Life of Christ developmentally, believing that Jesus modeled how to create a movement of multiplying disciples. Looking at Jesus’ life from the perspective of a leader trying to “walk as Jesus walked” (I Jn 2:6) and “do what Jesus did” (John 14:12), we have analyzed what Jesus did the first year, second year, and third year in creating a movement of multiplying disciples. Identifying 5 phases in the development of healthy ministry, we have identified critical priorities Jesus lived by in building a movement of multiplying disciples. Believing that Jesus disciples may have been in their late teens or early 20’s, we have committed ourselves to training next generation leaders in developing disciple making ministries.
The Top Ten Documents a Church Needs
1. Articles of incorporation
The most authoritative legal document a church has.
2. Corporate annual reports
A simple form that takes only a few minutes to complete. In many states, incorporated churches are required to file this annually with the secretary of state.
3. Constitution or bylaws
A church’s rules of internal administration.
4. Financial records
Reviewed regularly by the church board, insuring that appropriate safeguards are in place and asking questions about anything they don’t understand or that seems irregular.
5. List of members
Review it periodically to be sure it is up to date.
6. Minutes of membership and board meetings
Records should be kept of all meetings in which decisions are made on behalf of the church.
7. Insurance policies
Church treasurers/administrators must know how much coverage the church has.
8. Tax records
These include payroll tax forms, housing allowance designations for your pastors, contribution records, and any other forms you have filed with federal, state and local governments.
9. Employment records
These include applications for employment, reference checks and other documents relating to your employees.
10. Deeds
Can you locate the deed to your church properties.
Disaster Preparedness Plan
- Hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes and… whatever brings calamity and crisis calls God’s people to get involved, to do something!
- If you and/or your church wants to connect with calamity in the name of Christ go to Hope Crisis Response Network.
Catechisms
Foundations… is an adult catechism that has been revised. Both the student worksheets and the teacher’s manual may be downloaded. These materials are provided in Rich Text Format (RTF) so you may include information about your local church in the studies.
Click to Download
Student’s Workbook
Teacher’s manual
Overheads (Adobe Acrobat)
Fundamentos Español
Fundamentos Estudiantes
Fundamentos Maestro
Fundamentos Transparencias (Adobe Acrobat)
Let’s Explore Our Faith … is a children’s catechism. You will need Adobe Acrobat in order to access the following lessons. You have permission to duplicate lessons as needed.
Lesson 1: God and His Word
Lesson 2: What is God Like?
Lesson 2: (Cards)
Lesson 3: God the Father
Lesson 4: God the Son
Lesson 5: God the Holy Spirit
Lesson 6: Man: Created and Fallen
Lesson 7: Man: Redeemed
Lesson 8: Bible Study
Lesson 9: Prayer
Lesson 10: The Church
Lesson 11: The Missionary Church – My Church
Lesson 12: The Return of Christ
Lesson 12: (Overheads) When Will the Rapture Happen?
Resource Kits
The Word, Revival, and Evangelism: Historical Origins of the Missionary Church … is a video presentation of the history of the Missionary Church up to the merger in 1969. Dr. Dennis Engbrecht, Senior Vice President at Bethel College, does an excellent job in communicating significant events and circumstances that have shaped our denomination. It is an excellent resource for membership classes and individuals. It helps one to know who we are and from where we have come. The video is available from Support Ministries at (260) 747-2027. The cost is $10.00.
Finding God’s Purpose for the Church
Written by Dwight Smith and Robert Mountford, this material is Bible-based in doctrine, practical in its application and prepared to enable leaders to mobilize existing churches and plant new ones.
The training kit includes 3 DVDs containing 20 video sessions; a CD with a leader’s guide, Powerpoint slides and supplemental materials and one participant’s workbook. The price is $99. Order from Church Services at 888-275-9094.
Additional workbooks may be purchased for $25 each or in packets of 5 for $110 or packets of 10 for $200.
The Kesler Circulating Library
The Kesler Circulating Library is an opportunity to access theological materials at Vanderbilt, including its Zimmerman Judaica Collection. The
website contains all the information necessary to become a member and allows members to submit loan requests online. There is no fee.
Reducing the Risk II Kit
You can take simple steps to reduce the likelihood of child sexual abuse occurring within your church. Christian Ministry Resources has published a resource, Reducing the Risk II, that tells you how.
Reducing the Risk II teaches you how to screen staff and volunteers, train ministry workers and respond to allegations of abuse. It also explains the need for a prevention program and the church’s legal vulnerability if these issues are unaddressed.
The Reducing the Risk II kit retails for $49.95. Through Brotherhood Mutual, you can receive the kit for $17.25, plus $4 shipping and handling. The kit contains a training manual, reference book, and DVD
To order, download the form, complete it, and mail it with your check to:
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
Attn: Reducing the Risk II
6400 Brotherhood Way
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Discipleship Focus
Discipleship “Engines”
In the book, Simple Church, Thom Rainer described a process to get back on mission with what God has called the church to be. The four words he used for this process can be applied to the disciplemaking process as well:
Clarity. To “make disciples” we have to understand what one looks like. 1 John 2:6 tells us to “walk as Jesus walked.” Clarity is defining what a disciple needs to know (Head), the attitudes of a disciple (Heart), and what a disciple is to do (Hands).Ultimately it is obeying everything Jesus commanded.
Movement. As we work with people in the church we will find four groups: pre-Christians (those who have not accepted Jesus yet), new believers, growing believers and multipliers (able to make disciples who make disciples). Our goal is to move everyone towards obeying Jesus to be a multiplier. Movement is defining the linkages to help people mature to become a multiplier.
Alignment. Often, church programs are a confusing collection of differing visions, purposes, and values. The result is often stunted growth as momentum is lost moving from one program to another. Alignment is ensuring that everything done in and through the church is designed to help make disciples and move people towards being a multiplier.
Focus. There are many seminars and books available to pastors all calling for the church to use their program or approach. When clarity, movement and alignment are present the challenge is to say no to those programs and approaches that do not help the church move forward. Focus helps the church stay on mission.
Take a look at this document for resources for helping you create a discipling culture:
Creating a Discipleship Engine
Summary of three books that describe possible Discipleship Engines:
Church Prayer Coordinator Position Description
The following ministry position description for Prayer Coordinators is offered as a guideline. We recommend that the pastor and the Prayer Coordinator determine what his or her exact responsibilities should be. We suggest the Prayer Coordinator be selected prayerfully and carefully and that an appropriate public commissioning prayer mandate be given to this person when they are being installed. This is not a paid church position, but instead is taken up by a person feeling led to do so.
Title of position: CHURCH PRAYER COORDINATOR
Position Summary: To lead the local congregation in developing a Perpetual Intercessory Prayer ministry. The Prayer Coordinator’s purpose is to organize, schedule, and provide general leadership for the church’s prayer activities.
Reports to: The Senior Pastor or staff person assigned.
Relates closely with: All staff, lay leaders, and departments in the church.
Oversees: Any support staff assigned to the CHURCH PRAYER COORDINATOR.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Identify key people in the church who are willing to pray or serve in the leadership of prayer ministry and enlist their commitment.
- Establish a strategic Prayer Committee and serve as its chairperson. The leadership responsibilities of the Prayer Committee can be divided among the members of this committee.
- Act as a liaison between the pastor, the church leadership, and the Prayer Committee.
- Implement through the Prayer Committee the church leadership prayer for church services.plans/programs
- Ensure that prayer is encouraged, engaged, and integrated into every ministry and department of the church.
- Assist the pastoral staff in recruiting and developing personal prayer support teams.
- Create an information network that keeps everyone informed of prayer concerns.
- Contribute to the development of an effective local prayer chain./li>
- Plan and organize special prayer events for the church (i.e., prayer conferences, prayer seminars, National Day of Prayer, Denomination Day of Prayer, etc.).
- Stay closely connected to the district and denominational prayer leadership.
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Designate, design, and promote (with Prayer Committee and church leadership) a prayer room for the church.
- Create a resource library on prayer.
- Resource Sunday School Teachers and small group leaders by providing training, materials and resources for prayer curriculums.
- Train, equip, and mentor prayer leaders who can establish and lead small group prayer.
- Serve as a liaison between one’s local church and churches citywide to create and encourage cooperative prayer efforts.
(Taken from My House Shall Be A House of Prayer.)
Leadership strengths/gifts/talents/skills desired:
- A strong personal devotion to prayer and a sincere desire to see his/her church be devoted to prayer.
- Spiritual maturity.
- Good reputation in the congregation and the confident approval of church leaders.
- Gift of organization, encouragement, and administration.
- Good communicator.
Prayer Intiatives
Prayer App – Seek God for the City 2013
National Day of Prayer – This is always the first Thursday of May and is a time of focused prayer for our nation. Additional information is available through their web site.
Click here for additional materials.
Seek God for the City – 40 days of fasting and prayer begins on Ash Wednesday and goes to Palm Sunday. This is a time of prayer for spiritual awakening around the world. Materials are available from WayMakers web site or by calling 1-800-264-5214.
Global Day of Prayer – a ten-day emphasis in May. Resources are available at www.globaldayofprayer.com.
See You At the Pole – This is a youth event that encourages teens to gather around their school flagpole prior to school to pray for teachers, administrators and fellow students.
Prayer for the Persecuted Church – This is an international initiative, on the second Sunday of November, calling for the Church to pray especially for those believers in countries where persecution is a regular part of life.
The International Day of Prayer crosses geographic and denominational borders. Please join this Christian community in prayer for our brothers and sisters who are persecuted because of their commitment to Jesus Christ.
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” –Hebrews 13:3.
More information and resources are available at www.waymakers.org.
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Prayer Aids
Seek God for the City
eek God for the City helps you to mobilize many to pray with united, sustained vision for people of your community. The prayers in this prayer guide are biblically grounded and easy to pray.
The forty days to Palm Sunday makes an ideal time to venture into a season of sustained, hope-filled prayer. Dated February 10 – March 20, 2016.
For 2016, the prayers have been revised and sharpened, making this year’s edition even more practical as a way to stimulate your congregation to pray with confidence and clarity.
Pastors, mission leaders and positioned prayer leaders may call for a complimentary review copy at (800) 264-5214 or (512) 419-7729.
Also available as an app that makes it possible to help many to keep their prayers rolling in the midst of busy lifestyles and schedules.
Additional information and materials are available at Waymakers.org.
Call to Prayer & Fasting
The Missionary Church Ministry Leadership Council and the General Oversight Council have, unanimously and enthusiastically, signed a Pledge of Brotherly Commitment to faithfully practice the discipline of prayer and fasting.
With this pledge in mind they personally affirm the biblical mandate to fast and pray and passionately call everyone in our fellowship to intentional prayer and fasting*.
In obedience to our Lord, the massive challenges of our times, and the effective expansion of His Kingdom through the ministries of His church, let us commit to at least one day of prayer and fasting each month over the next twelve months. While you may choose any day you wish, we invite you to join us on the 1st Thursday of each month.
Let our primary focus be:
1) Prayer for great humility, personal repentance and corporate unity;
2) Listening to His voice through His Word and His Spirit;
3) Prayer for a renewed passion for God;
4) Prayer for the revival and renewal of your local church as well as our Missionary Church ministries worldwide;
5) Prayer for the accomplishment of the Vision of the Missionary Church focused upon, 1perpetual intercessory prayer, 2evangelizing the lost and making disciples, 3strengthening local churches, 4planting new churches and districts of churches, and 5intentional recruitment and development of catalytic, passionate leaders.
Let us personally embrace His promise,
“If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
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*We welcome and encourage individual participants to consider a variety of different kinds of fasting, especially when there are medical issues involved (i.e. one meal, fruits and vegetables only – “Daniel fasting,” fasting of entertainment or recreational activity, etc.). The purpose of fasting is giving up a routine or everyday activity in order to devote oneself to prayer and seeking God.
*We encourage local churches to organize 24 hour as well as 24/7 prayer vigils that include the call to prayer and fasting. For details of 24/7 go to www.mcgpn.org.
Planning a Prayer Breakfast for Your Church
Suggestion for Prayer Coordinators:
Begin the New Year with a Prayer Event in January
HOW TO PLAN A PRAYER BREAKFAST
(from “Partners in Prayer” by John Maxwell pp.140-141)
Step 1 – *Select the date ASAP and get it on the church calendar.
1. Begin early to make your church aware of this event by announcements in your church newsletter and Sunday Bulletins.
2. Sign-up sheets should be made available in December to Adult Classes and at the Information Desk in the church foyer. (DO NOT WAIT UNTIL JANUARY—CALENDARS FILL UP QUICKLY)
*NOTE: When selecting a date the second or third Saturday in January is usually best—by then people will be ready to think about the New Year—Christmas is now over. When setting dates always be aware of other church and community activities—then people will not have to chose one over the other.
Step 2 – Ask your pastor or staff person to plan an in-depth lesson focused on “How to Grow in Your Prayer Life”.
1. Make your request early—never wait until the last minute.
2. Some good topics include praise, thanksgiving, intercession, meditation, listening to God, praying Scripture, How to pray for others, etc.)
Step 3 – COMPONENTS OF AN ENCOURAGING BREAKFAST
1. Food and Fellowship (45-60 minutes) great way to establish easy interaction.
(Menu suggestions: egg casseroles, muffins, juice & coffee)
2. Worship (15minutes) is the best way to prepare hearts to hear God’s Word.
3. Equipping (45 minutes) Make sure lesson gives specific truths to think about.
4. Prayer (30 minutes)
Since the focus of this ministry is on prayer, it should always be the last thing you do together. While still in one large group, share some recent answers to prayer, since this reminds participants of the results and value of prayer ministry. Then list current prayer requests for the pastors and the church.
Divide everyone into small prayer groups of three or four. First, remind them of how they can apply the day’s lesson to this prayer time. Ask them to share personal prayer requests for five to ten minutes. Then they will pray for the church, the pastors, and each other for twenty to thirty minutes. John Maxwell recommends that you tell them they are dismissed when their group has finished praying.
Recursos En español
Ejemplo de Papeles legales que las Iglesias locales deben tener
Aplicación de Credenciales
Solicitud para Licencia Ministerial – RTF
Para el Cónyuge del/la Solicitante de Credenciales – RTF
Por favor complete la aplicación y devuélvala al Distrito de la Iglesia Misionera que gobierna el área geographica donde se localiza su iglesia.
Verificación de antecedents del aplicante
Proceso
Aviso al Solicitante de Empleo
Autorización de Exoneración
Un Resumen de Derechos
Fundementos…enseñanzas de doctrinas para adultos
Fundamentos Estudiantes
Fundamentos Maestro
Fundamentos Transparencias (Adobe Acrobat)
Llamado a la Oración y el Ayuno
Con esta promesa en mente, ellos personalmente afirman el mandato bíblico de ayunar y orar con pasión llamando a todos los que tienen comunión con nosotros a la oración y al ayuno intencional*.
Considerando la obediencia a nuestro Señor, los grandes retos de nuestro tiempo, y la expansión efectiva de Su Reino a través de los ministerios de su iglesia, comprometámonos a tener por lo menos un día de oración y ayuno cada mes durante los próximos doce meses. Mientras que usted puede elegir cualquier día que desee, nosotros le invitamos a unírsenos en el quinto día de cada mes.
2) Escuchar la voz de Dios a través de su Palabra y su Espíritu;
3) Orar por una renovada pasión por Dios;
4) Orar por avivamiento y renovación de su iglesia local, y orar también por el ministerio mundial de la Iglesia Misionera;
5) Orar por la realización de la Visión de la Iglesia Misionera que está enfocada en (a) una perpetua oración intercesora, (b) evangelizar a los perdidos y hacer discípulos, (c) fortalecer las iglesias locales, (d) plantar nuevas iglesias y distritos de iglesias, y (e) el reclutamiento y desarrollo de apasionados líderes catalíticos.
Abracemos personalmente Su promesa que dice:
“Si se humillare mi pueblo, sobre el cual mi nombre es invocado, y oraren, y buscaren mi rostro, y se convirtieren de sus malos caminos; entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, y perdonaré sus pecados, y sanaré su tierra“.
2 Crónicas 7:14
* Damos la bienvenida y alentamos a los individuos que participen, a que consideren la variedad de tipos de ayuno que hay, especialmente cuando hay de por medio recomendaciones de salud por sus médicos (usted puede ayunar por ejemplo, teniendo una comida al día, o con frutas y vegetales como el – “ayuno de Daniel,” o ayunar diversión o entretenimiento o actividades recreativas, etc.) El propósito del ayuno es renunciar a alguna actividad rutinaria o a las actividades diarias con el fin de dedicarnos a la oración y la búsqueda de Dios.
* Animamos a las iglesias locales también a organizar 24 horas de oración por iglesia; vigilar en oración en períodos que duren las 24 horas del día, siete días a la semana (24/7) y que estas incluyan el llamado a la oración y al ayuno. Para obtener información detallada del llamado 24/7 vayan a esta dirección de nuestro portal del internet relacionado con la oración: www.mcgpn.org.
Cinco Pasos Para Nuevos Creyentes
Programa de Lectura de la Biblia
Presentamos a todos los miembros de la Iglesia Misionera, esta guía de Lectura de la Biblia escrita por el pastor José M. Méndez para ayudar a crecer a su iglesia en leer la palabra y darle una herramienta para discipular a los nuevos convertidos. ¿Qué incluye esta guía?
a. Incluye un programa de lectura de toda la biblia, dividido en semanas (un total de 104 semanas) y con tres diferentes lecturas para cada día: Un pasaje del Antiguo Testamento, uno del Nuevo Testamento y un Salmo o Proverbio.
b. El programa persigue ayudar a los lectores a observar, ¿cómo se hace esta observación? a través de preguntas, sopas de letras, crucigramas y otras ideas más, que ayudarán a los lectores a poner mayor sentido en el texto que leen. El principio detrás de la lectura incluye la idea de que el Espíritu de Dios va a hablar y ayudar a interpretar al que lea la biblia.
c. Cada día contiene un espacio para que el lector escriba las aplicaciones que vaya recibiendo del Señor al leer la biblia.
d. Al final de cada semana se sugiere un verso bíblico que el lector pueda memorizar.
Esta guía podrá ayudarle a:
a. Motivar a los miembros de su iglesia a leer la biblia.
b. Tener una herramienta a la mano para el discipulado. Algunas personas lo han empezado a usar de esta manera: le van dando la lectura de la biblia a los nuevos convertidos, semana a semana, sin prisas ya que una semana puede durar tres semanas, luego cuando se reúnen de nuevo el discipulador pregunta ¿Qué le ha hablado el Señor de su lectura bíblica?, esto da un puente para comunicar las cosas del Espíritu y transmitir la vida de Dios uno a uno.
Guía de Discipulado
por Jose Mendez
Este es un plan de discipulado que involucra discipular a alguien en cinco etapas:
Primer etapa, haciendo contacto con un no creyente.
Segunda etapa, la conversión, en donde el no creyente tiene que nacer de nuevo.
Tercera etapa, la consolidación, llamada en esta guia ‘siembra’ y que se propone llevar al nuevo creyente a la madurez Cristiana
Cuarta etapa, la cosecha, es donde se entrenan los discípulos al trabajo grupal y a la multiplicación
La quinta etapa, el liderazgo, en donde se busca que los discípulos tomen el liderazgo de una nueva comunidad local.
Branding
As our denomination continues to grow and move further into the 21st century, so, too, does our brand. We have unveiled a new logo for the denomination, along with a new plan for more streamlined branding across the entire organization. The new logo honors the past while also looking toward the future. It maintains the flame that has long been part of the brand, representing the Holy Spirit’s leadership of our movement. The flame rests on the globe – the same globe introduced by World Partners in their re-brand – depicting the worldwide vision for seeing disciples made to the uttermost parts of the earth. This new branding will create a unified look across denomination entities and ministries, modernized print and electronic communications designs, and a greater focus on streamlining communication to pastors, churches, and church members. We are excited to honor the past while blazing forward into the future of all that God has planned for us, and displaying that in all facets of the Missionary Church brand!
Color Standards:
RED:
Hexadecimal: #b4111a
CMYK: C: 20% M: 100% Y: 100% K: 12%
RGB: R: 180 G: 17 B: 26
Pantone: 7621C
DARK GRAY:
Hexadecimal: #404041
CMYK: C: 68% M: 61% Y: 59% K: 46%
RGB: R: 64 G: 64 B: 65
Pantone: 426C
*For single color design always use 1 solid color,
NEVER grayscale.
Missionary Church Primary Font: Calibri Bold
Missionary Church Logo
Please review Color Standards above in “Branding” before using logos.
Download Vector PDF: MissionaryChurch-Logo
Download Vector PDF: MissionaryChurch-Logo
Download Vector PDF: MissionaryChurch-BoxLogo
Download Vector PDF: BLACKMissionaryChurch-BoxLogo_BLACK
Promotional Pieces
We Are Committed Video
We Are Committed Brochure: Full Color
We Are Committed Brochure: Text Only
We Are Committed PowerPoint Presentation
(Video made into slide form for presentations)
Free Graphics
- RiseUpResources.com– Offers free church graphics.
- CreationSwap.com– Previously CreativeMYK.com Offers free church graphics.
- Muddy River Media– Offers free sermon series resources.
- NewSpring Ministries– Offers free sermon series resources.
- Elevation Church– Offers free sermon series resources.
- Stuff I Can Use– Offers free church graphics.
- New Worship Media– Offers free church graphics.
- CMD– Offers a small collection of free church graphics.
- MCM Network– Offers free church graphics.
- Inside Northpoint– Offers free church graphics & a behind the scenes look.
- VideoTeaching.com– Offers free Sermons.
- Revolution Backstage– Behind the Scenes at Revolution.
- Northside Creatives– A Small Collection of Church Graphics.
- Seeds- COTM– Not a huge database but still good quality resources.
- Open Resources– Lots of free and well-made resources.
- New Life Church Creative Dept.– Lots of Freebies and a great all-around resource.
- Church Media Drop
Free Stock Footage
- videvo.net– Free Stock Footage & Audio
Free Graphic Programs
- GIMP– A free photoshop-like program (Photoshop Recommended).
- Gadwin PrintScreen– A free program to print your entire monitor screen.
- Art Text– A program for logo creation (Photoshop Recommended).
- Blender 3D– Free open source 3D program (Cinema 4D Recommended).
- Sketchup– A Free 3D program from Google (Cinema 4D Recommended).
Graphic Subscription Sites
Free Video Tutorials
RenderTimeBlog.com– C4D resources
GreyScaleGorilla.com– C4D and After Effects
PariahStudios.co.uk– C4D
c4dcafe.com-C4D
videocopilot.net– After Effects
creativecow.net– Helpful forum site when you have questions about anything film related.
MotionWorks.com.au– C4D
HelloLuxx.com– C4D
ChurchCreate.com– Lots of interesting Articles.
Video Subscription Sites
Inspiration
Free Fonts
Printing
Local Printers are always great! But if you are looking for some cheaper options, here are a couple online printers.