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Get Over THERE!
Get Your Church to Celebrate and Send You Out
Finally it's time to depart for the field. A celebratory send off is appropriate. While you are the one being sent, the occasion is actually the product of many supporters, friends, prayer warriors, encouragers, donors, mentors, advisors, trainers and helpers who have sacrificially given to make this possible. They have been and will continue to be working together almost as a symphony to make it possible. Almost nothing is more exciting and energizing to the spiritual life of a local church than the sending out (cf. 3 John 5-8, "propempo"-ing) of its own sons and daughters into strategic roles fulfilling the Great Commission.
Part of the celebration includes, Lord willing, the fact that your sending church has been involved in every step of your path to the field, from your earliest commitment to missions, through your preparation, to God’s supply to send you out THERE. The occasion of recognizing the completion of your readiness and setting you apart for missionary service makes the congregation feel as though they are all crossing the finish line together with you, as you continue your quest for Christ’s glory among the nations. Christ is worthy! It’s because of Him and for Him that this is possible.
What follows below are some simple ideas for elements of a formal commissioning service. It likely has much the same sense of solemn celebration found in a pastoral ordination service. Not all of these elements may fit your church’s ethos and traditions. And not all possibilities for the service are listed below.
Questions for reflection:
Additional material and helpful appendices, including a Postlogue subtitled, "Alternative Ending: What if it doesn't work out? What if I don't end up making it to the mission field?" are available in the book, HERE to THERE
Part of the celebration includes, Lord willing, the fact that your sending church has been involved in every step of your path to the field, from your earliest commitment to missions, through your preparation, to God’s supply to send you out THERE. The occasion of recognizing the completion of your readiness and setting you apart for missionary service makes the congregation feel as though they are all crossing the finish line together with you, as you continue your quest for Christ’s glory among the nations. Christ is worthy! It’s because of Him and for Him that this is possible.
What follows below are some simple ideas for elements of a formal commissioning service. It likely has much the same sense of solemn celebration found in a pastoral ordination service. Not all of these elements may fit your church’s ethos and traditions. And not all possibilities for the service are listed below.
- The biblical basis for sending missionaries (cf. Acts 13:3)
- A printed program
- Invitations issued to church leaders, church members, a representative of the mission agency, family members of the missionary, donors and prayer partners
- Worship, including music appropriate to missions and commitment
- Scripture reading
- The missionary's testimony of salvation and calling
- An interview with the missionary
- Recognition of those who have played particularly significant roles in the missionary’s qualification process: mentors, prayer partners, etc.
- A biblical charge to the missionary
- A word of commendation or testimony from the mission agency representative
- Recognition of the "Barnabas Team", who will stand behind the missionary with practical personal support
- An explanation of the preparation and qualification process
- A charge to the congregation
- A prayer of dedication
- A response or acceptance of the charge by the missionary
- The presentation of a commissioning certificate
- A reception following the event
Questions for reflection:
- Whom should you personally thank for their prayers, advocacy, help, encouragement, or partnership with you in the process before you leave for your mission field?
- Carve out some special private time just to praise and thank God for His great grace to enable and allow you to arrive at this launching point of your ministry.
Additional material and helpful appendices, including a Postlogue subtitled, "Alternative Ending: What if it doesn't work out? What if I don't end up making it to the mission field?" are available in the book, HERE to THERE