One key function of a local NMI president is to see that the congregation embraces its
responsibility for ends-of-the-earth outreach as well as making disciples locally. Church members
should be encouraged to give joyfully to the denomination's World Evangelism Fund and to
engage in prayer support for the Nazarene missionaries from about 60 different countries who are
deployed worldwide.
An NMI president should be a conduit of information to the local church about Nazarene
world missions activity, including the denomination's response to human suffering from national
disasters, civil disorders, and wars between nations.
An NMI president should continually remind the local church what Jesus said in John 6:35:
"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." Note that
"fields" is a plural word. The Church of the Nazarene is involved in the harvest of souls in fields
all around the world. So, a local church should be concerned not just about the field where they
are located but all the fields all around the world where the Gospel needs to be proclaimed.
How do you know if you are fulfilling the purpose of a congregation's global missionary
program? Use this checklist originally wreitten by Nina Gunter to determine what you should do
as a church missions leader.
With God's help, I will
- Build rapport with my pastor, local council, and other local world missions
presidents.
- Communicate regularly with my pastor and world missions committee or council concerning
major emphases and upcoming events.
- Enlist the aid of my district missions president and district NMI
council when I need information, inspiration, or advice. I will strive to be a "team player" on my
zone and district.
- Pass along exciting missions news from my church to area and denominational church
leaders.
- Submit year-end reports on time.
- Prepare for missions council meetings with an eye to effective reporting and input, vision casting, team-building, planning, and implementing. [ starting a council meeting ]
- Hold missions council members accountable for their
assigned promotional emphases and other assignments
- Provide ongoing training to council members, giving them written job descriptions and
furnishing resource materials, including examples of what has been successful elsewhere.
- Emphasize the importance of Mission Priority One, urging my church to exceed expectations
in:
- Spreading missions information
- Mobilizing prayer support [ praying for missions
]
- Funding missions efforts through sacrificial giving
- Involving children and youth in missions activities
- Set goals for my church -- with the input of the pastor and council -- for each
of the major NMI missions emphases and then keep those goals before my congregation.
- Assure my church's participation in each special emphasis, making sure that all world missions
offerings are sent in on time. [ Monthly NMI
emphases ]
- Support the goals that have been set for Nazarene children and youth and challenge my
church to include the young people of the church in our mission plans
- Work with the missions council to guarantee informative, exciting, fast-paced,
people-involved regular missions services.
- Assure that our church has places for missions promotion (website, bulletin board, newsletter,
and table displays) and that world missions is presented creatively to our congregation in an
attention-getting manner. [ Sunday bulletin inserts ]
- Ask God daily for passion, wisdom, creativity, and strength
for my missions task.
"Thank you for your awesome website. It has helped this NMI President a great deal
with suggestions and information." -- Dorine L., New Jersey, USA
-- Howard Culbertson,
You might also like these