Victorian Missionary Advisory Council

1 - The Role of the Local Church(es)
The MAC requires all prospective missionaries to discuss their intending missionary service with the Elders of their commending churches. This communication needs to commence as early as possible and continue on a regular basis. It is most important that any missionary service is seen to be, and is accepted as, an extension of the outreach that is being conducted under the auspices of their local church(es). This ensures that Elders remain responsible for the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial well being of each missionary and the missionary remains accountable to the Elders and their commending church(es).

Elders should encourage intending missionaries to share with their home church at an appropriate time their desire to serve in missions. This is to ensure the local church body accepts the responsibility and implications of 'Commending'. The commending of an individual missionary or a married couple is normally expressed in a 'Letter of Commendation' signed by the Elders of the commending church.

With the changing face of mission it is recommended that missionaries today seek the commendation and affirmation of two homes churches expressed in a joint letter of commendation. (Acts 16:1-2 cf 16:1-19:22).

The letter of commendation should indicate the following:

• the suitability of the one(s) being commended

• the field of service

• the expected nature of service

• the anticipated period of service at the time of commendation.

2 - The Role of Australian Missionary Tidings (AMT)

It should be clearly understood that AMT does not act independently of an intending missionary's commending church. AMT is a service agency, not a sending agency. The responsibility is with the church to notify AMT of its willingness to support the out-going missionary's ministry as part of the local church(es).

AMTs vision is to assist local churches in their sending, supporting, maintaining and caring of missionaries in cross-cultural service. AMT only accepts missionaries for listing in the AMT 'Daily Prayer Guide' after a church has given its commitment to the outgoing candidates. AMT does however, also require the endorsement of the local church's commendation by the State's MAC before listing a missionary.

The MAC would encourage both Elders and intending missionaries to initiate communication with AMT as early as possible.

3 - The Role of the Victorian Missionary Advisory Council (MAC Vic)

The role of the MAC is advisory, and it sees itself as a servant to both intending missionaries and the local churches who are sending them to serve the Lord in a cross-cultural ministry.

The MAC works in close liaison with AMT and is used by AMT to forward Questionnaires to both Candidates and Elders besides the Medical Report forms that AMT requires of outgoing missionaries.

4 – Questionnaires

If an intending missionary wishes to be listed as a cross cultural missionary in the AMT Daily Prayer Guide, there are two questionnaires to be completed.

The Elders of the church are required to complete the: 'Questionnaire for Candidate's Elders.' A separate questionnaire is required for each individual, i.e. one each for a husband and wife.

Each intending missionary is required to complete a 'Questionnaire for Candidates'.

The completed questionnaires should be returned to the Secretary of the MAC. When the MAC has considered them, the questionnaires will then be forwarded to the AMT office.

These questionnaires are independent of those that may be required by a missionary society.

5 - Interviews

After receiving the completed questionnaires from both the church Elders and the candidate, the MAC will review the information provided. The MAC at this stage will endeavour to obtain the latest information that is available about the intended country of service or a particular location within a country. While every effort is made by the MAC to obtain this information quickly, this is not always possible. The MAC sees the obtaining of this information as necessary, so that it can fulfil its role as an advisory council.

Arrangements will then be made for the MAC to meet with the intending missionary or missionaries in the case of a married couple as well as representatives of the sending church. The MAC considers it mandatory to meet with the Elders of the commending church.

At the interview with the MAC, intending missionaries are asked to outline how God has called them to missionary service, the type of Christian service they intend to become involved in, and the preparation that has been undertaken to equip them for their future service.

As part of its advisory role the Council is obliged to bring to the attention of prospective missionaries any concerns it may have. These concerns may arise from information that the Council has obtained from the latest inquiries that it has made. These concerns will be discussed at the interview.

The Council also uses the interview to find out how its members can be of assistance to the prospective missionaries. One way in which the Council has been able to assist outgoing missionaries is to suggest and assist with arranging deputation meetings. As many churches arrange their programs in advance, it is most important that deputation meetings be arranged early.

6 - Medical Examinations
Where missionaries intend to serve with Christian Brethren Churches alone, candidates are required to undergo a medical examination.

AMT requires their medical questionnaire to be completed. The doctor who performs the medical examination is required to send the completed report to the Medical Officer at AMT. Candidates are assured that members of the MAC do not have direct access to medical reports. After reviewing the medical report, the AMT Medical Officer will report to the MAC as to the candidate's suitability, health wise, in view of the proposed country of service. Reports are filed at AMT, and are only referred to when information that they contain may have to be conveyed in an emergency situation to a Medical Practitioner overseas, or in an isolated area of Australia.

Missionaries who intend serving with a missionary society are not required to undergo a further medical examination. It is accepted that all missionary societies require a prospective missionary to have a medical examination. If this has not been asked for, then the candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.

7 - Correspondence to the MAC Vic.

Correspondence to the MAC should be directed to:

Elaine Meers

The Secretary - MAC

24 Thernholme Cres

Laurimar DOREEN 3754

Mob: 0416 236093

macvic@optusnet.com.au

8 - Correspondence to Australian Missionary Tidings

Correspondence to Australian Missionary Tidings (AMT) should be directed to:-

Dr Ken Newton

CEO Australian Missionary Tidings

PO Box 565 MOUNT GRAVATT, QUEENSLAND 4122

Ph 07 3219 1800

Fax 07 3216 8399

Email info@amt.asn.net

9 - AMT Services

AMT is able to assist both missionaries and local churches in a number of ways. Its services include:-

• Education for world mission

• Distribution of prayer information to wide networks

• Publicity of needs and opportunities

• Links with resources

• International and national contacts

• Mission publications

• Financial advice for missionaries

• Pastoral care services for serving missionaries.

10 - MAC Recommendation

The MAC would recommend to all out-going missionaries that they take the time to visit the AMT office located at Meadowbrook (QLD), to meet the staff personally.

This personal contact is of considerable assistance to both the staff at AMT and the missionary candidate. It provides the staff with the opportunity to explain in detail how they (AMT) can be of assistance. It also provides an opportunity for candidates to have questions answered.

The MAC would also recommend that the Elders of Commending churches visit AMT.

This will provide an opportunity for personal dialogue between the missionary's commending church and the staff at AMT.