| Q |
Why are missionaries needed in America? |
| A |
Most people in this country are ignorant of Biblical Christianity. They ignore the issues or they attempt to work their way into Heaven. Much of America is unevangelized. Some of it is over-churched with institutions which try to meet the social and emotional needs of people but do not deal with sin and salvation. |
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| Q |
How do you determine where to send a missionary pastor? |
| A |
Frequently we are invited to come into a community by a small group of Christians who are without a church and are unable to support a pastor by themselves. Occasionally our missionary pastors will know of a community without a Gospel ministry. In each instance we conduct a field survey to determine need and potential. |
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| Q |
Are you limited geographically? |
| A |
We will survey needy areas in any part of the country and will send missionaries anywhere there is a need for a Bible preaching church as the Lord provides the workers. |
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| Q |
Where do your missionaries come from? |
| A |
They are graduates of Bible colleges and institutions who are in agreement with us, pastors who sense the Lord's leading into church planting, and missionaries who see the needs of this country. |
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| Q |
What are the requirements for the missionary wife? |
| A |
She must be in accord with her husband that this is the Lord's will for them. It is not required that she be a graduate of a Bible school, but she is encouraged to avail herself of as much training as possible. She should set the standards in her church and community of what a Christian wife should be and can be. |
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| Q |
Do you have a training program for the missionary candidates? |
| A |
Missionary candidates are required to spend time at headquarters to familiarize themselves with policies and procedures; to meet with and be counseled by the staff about leadership and church organization; and to permit close range examination of the operation of the mission. While on deputation, they are required to work with a pastor in a local church. |
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| Q |
Who assigns missionaries? |
| A |
The Church Planting Director working with the missionary pastor and his family attempts to locate them where God has given a burden and opened the door. The Council gives final approval. |
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| Q |
How do you establish a church? |
| A |
The answer is complex and varies with each unique situation. Basically, it involves becoming a part of the community, gaining the trust of the people, preaching the Gospel with love, setting an example of Christian living, and working very hard. Men and women, boys and girls must be won to the Lord and then helped to grow spiritually. |
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| Q |
How long does it take to establish a church? |
| A |
It varies with each situation, but we feel it will normally be a matter of five or six years. We do not consider a church to be established until it can support a pastor, has saved and trained leadership within the organization, and has a vision for the community and an outreach through a mission program of its own. At that time, a salaried pastor will be called and our missionary is free to move on. |
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| Q |
Do missionaries ever stay with a church they have established? |
| A |
Occasionally the missionary is called by the congregation to remain with the church. Based upon the will of God for his life at that time, he may choose to stay. If he does, he will resign from the mission and transfer his support to another missionary pastor. |
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| Q |
What happens to a church when a missionary leaves? |
| A |
The church calls a pastor and becomes a local independent church administering its own affairs. It is no longer considered to be a mission church. A certificate to the AMOC FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES is issued to it. This is a fellowship without denominational or ecclesiastical control. |
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| Q |
What is the purpose of having a mission board? |
| A |
A mission board will screen applicants, oversee adherence to doctrine and practice, provide fellowship for the missionaries, administer finances, give counsel, publicize and promote churches and pastors, and perform many other services which would be difficult or impossible on an individual basis. |
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| Q |
How are the missionaries supported? |
| A |
AMOC missionaries are supported by the generosity and concern of churches and individuals who have been made aware of the needs through personal knowledge as friends and acquaintances or through deputation meetings. |
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| Q |
How much deputation support is needed to go to a field? |
| A |
Council has established a figure based upon experience which permits a standard of living in keeping with that of the average community. This will vary depending on the size of the family. The Church Planting Director will work with the candidates to help them establish a budget which will be right for their families needs. |
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| Q |
Could I support myself while establishing a church? |
| A |
Many have worked and supported themselves while in the ministry of church planting. However, there is much to be said about the sharing of the ministry through prayers and giving of others who may not be able to do the actual work of church planting. We believe the establishment of a viable local church should be the primary concern of the missionary pastor and that secular employment may retard his effectiveness in this area. |
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| Q |
What must I do to become a candidate with AMOC? |
| A |
You must take the initiative to write indicating your desire and requesting and application. The preliminary application will give certain basic information about you. From that point a more detailed application with references will examine you concerning your doctrine, stand, character, and attitude. The next step will be an invitation to Headquarters to meet with and be interviewed by Council before final approval. You are not under any obligation to AMOC and may continue or stop the process as you sense the Lord's leading in the situation. |
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| Q |
Is there a place in AMOC for someone who is not called to be a missionary? |
| A |
AMOC has needs from time to time for secretaries, food service personnel, administrators, maintenance workers, representatives, and others with certain skills and experience. No missionary pastor on the field is able to function properly without a back-up of people working and praying for him. Christian service does not always require that one be of a certain age or educated in a particular fashion. |
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