The church should consult with the regional or field director before responding. If the regional or field director affirms that the request is within the “banks” described above, the church may respond affirmatively. If not, church leaders can graciously thank the partner church leader for expressing the need while giving encouragement to look to God to meet it in His way.
If a short-term mission team sees needs while visiting a field and desires to help meet them, what should the team do?
Again, consult with the regional or field director before responding.
When someone from the U.S. partner church makes available skills, connections, or material resources, who decides which ones can be strategically used overseas?
The regional director and field director are best positioned to make that decision in a manner that ensures the most effective use of the partnership.
When someone keeps pushing for an initiative or project that’s outside these partnership “banks,” what happens?
There are three suggested options for responding to a situation like this. The first is to urge the person to invest within the established guidelines, explaining why that’s strategic and important. The second is to direct the person to other possible partners whose passion and purpose better align with theirs. The final response is to step back, asking God to use the investment for His glory in spite of its being outside the C&MA’s established partnership “banks.” However, this final response does not obligate the C&MA to use the resources or provide a tax-deductible receipt for them.
Who initiates partnerships?
They can be initiated by U.S. local church leaders, U.S. missionaries, U.S. field and regional directors, the coordinator for ministry partnerships, or district missions mobilizers.
What is the role of the coordinator for ministry partnerships?
The coordinator’s role is to network with church leaders, missions mobilizers, regional directors, and field directors in an effort to connect U.S. church partnership passion with regional and field strategies for planting multiplying, missionary churches.
Is it the responsibility of the coordinator for ministry partnerships to bring already existing partnerships under the Office of Ministry Partnerships?
Do all new ministry partnership initiatives have to be coordinated by the office?
No, as long as existing partnerships and new partnership initiatives are operating within the “banks” described above.
