Priorities By Source
Praise God that there is no shortage of missions work to support. The question we must ask ourselves is, “What work is God calling CrossWay to support?” Given multiple opportunities and limited finances to support missions, we would prioritize missions work by source in the following order.
- Missions work that is connected to or emerges from our existing missions work.
- Missions work that emerges and develops from members of our local congregation.
- Missions work that is connected to or emerges from churches with whom CrossWay has a significant relationship.
- Missions work that is connected to CrossWay through some other means of providence.
Often times our history or relational involvement with a person or agency can influence our support decision. In order to honor that history and those relationships while still objectively evaluating the mission opportunity, we have found it helpful to develop some evaluation criteria.
We believe that the best stewardship of our resources as a local church is to support missions work that: (1) is aligned with our mission and values as a church; (2) is theologically and ethically sound, and; (3) has a high probability of success. Thus, any work that CrossWay supports should meet the following criteria.
- Explicitly gospel centered in its approach. The proclamation of the gospel for the transformation of lives is functionally the ultimate goal of the work.
- Biblical orthodoxy. A statement of faith that reflects Biblical orthodoxy.
- Financial integrity. The individuals and sending agency (if applicable) responsible for the work are financially responsible and have financial integrity in the community.
- Effectiveness and fruitfulness in a specific ministry. The individuals and organizations involved in the work have a proven record in this specific ministry. If there is insufficient history, then CrossWay’s leadership team is able to confirm the missionaries calling, gifting, and character.
- Accountability to godly leadership. Those responsible for the work must seek accountability from a local pastor(s) who have the responsibility for their souls.
- Commitment to the priority of the local church. Ideally, the work would flow from the ministry of a local church and it would benefit individual local churches.
- Apparent connection to the mission of CrossWay. The work must be aligned with our mission and values as a church so that it is an extension of our mission as a local church.
- A traceable line of providence between CrossWay and the ministry. Our desire is to see God’s leading through specific and identifiable lines of providence between CrossWay and the work.
- A good history of all these things. We want to see that God has been at work in this ministry and person for a proven season to give the work a high probability of success.
CrossWay is committed to a careful and prayerful consideration of new mission partners. We are committed to the mission of God to rescue a people for the praise of God’s glory. Our objective is to establish long-term relationships with our mission partners to declare and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and faith as we consider new mission partners.
Related Posts:
Conviction 1 – The Glory of God
Conviction 2 – The End of Human History
Conviction 3 – The Rejection of God
Conviction 4 – God’s Mission of Redemption
Conviction 5 – Redemption Through Jesus Christ
Conviction 6 – The Mission of God for the Church
Conviction 7 – The Church Exists for the Gospel
Conviction 8 – Humanity’s Response to the Gospel
Conviction 9 – God’s Mission is to All Nations
Conviction 10 – Evangelism, Mercy, Pastor Training, Church Planting
Conviction 11 – The Scope of CrossWay’s Mission is Local
Conviction 12 – The Scope of CrossWay’s Mission is Regional
Conviction 13 – Committed to Church Planting
Conviction 14 - The Scope of CrossWay’s Mission is National
Conviction 15 – The Scope of CrossWay’s Mission is Global
Conviction 16 – Committed to Indigenous Pastors
Conviction 17 – Committed to Unreached People Groups
