The process for extended term (career) missionary appointment through Free Methodist World Missions is anchored in a local sending body (often the candidate’s home church), and is enhanced by denominational connectivity via FMWM.  This process recognizes the local church as the primary place in which spiritual gifts and graces are expressed and recognized, and the network of denominational churches as partners in deployment and oversight.  In short, the missionary is deployed by a sending body, with the aid of FMWM’s depth of knowledge, administrative support and accountability framework.  Where the home church is unable to provide a missionary’s entire support or where a candidate is not part of a local church that would serve as their sending body, efforts will be made (likely by FMWM and/or an annual conference) to secure a local church or coordinate a partnership of churches to fill the need and corporately serve as the sending body. 

The role of process guide is normally filled by the local FM church pastor for lay candidates, and by the conference superintendent (or his/her designee) for clergy candidates and those on the path to ordination.   

The timing for when to inform the home church of the candidate’s plans for missionary service will be worked out between the candidate and their process guide according to the situation.  FMWM recognizes this may be a more sensitive consideration for candidates who are pastoring a church, and asks that they seek the direction of their conference superintendent.   

Below is a summary of how extended term missionary appointments progress.  This is only a general outline of how the process may progress.  Because all candidates are unique, the process will likely be adjusted to fit each candidate and situation as it unfolds. 

Exploration 

The candidate, upon receiving God’s call to missionary service, should first contact their process guide.  Together, they will explore the call with the aid of FMWM’s information and resources.  FMWM advisors will be available throughout the process for the guide and candidate, and both will be expected to begin the exploration by reviewing FMWM’s general information, as found on this website.   

The guide will prayerfully review the candidate’s qualifications and, if all is satisfactory and it seems that God is leading toward missionary service, will begin the application process with the candidate.  An application packet (consisting of a missionary application, a Guide Endorsement, and a Missionary Partnership Agreement) will be provided by FMWM once the guide informs FMWM that they are ready to move forward with an extended term missionary candidate. 

Application 

FMWM will consult with the candidate, identify any special circumstances which have bearing on the process and field assignment, and then begin to determine possible placement opportunities.  The candidate will complete the application and submit it to the guide for review.  FMWM will then have a consultation with the guide and a determination will be made as to whether to proceed.  If the decision is against proceeding, the candidate may be redirected into appropriate forms of service (VISA, etc.).  If the decision is in favor of proceeding, the guide will inform local and conference leadership.   

The guide, local church(es) and conference will work together to determine support strategies, decide the level of conference involvement in the process, and determine what steps should be taken to coach, mentor and/or further train the candidate (this may include completion of the ordination process for clergy candidates who have not yet been ordained).  

The guide will complete the Guide Endorsement and the sending body will review and sign the Missionary Partnership Agreement, indicating their approval and sponsorship.  These two documents will be forwarded to FMWM along with the candidate’s application.  A missionary support team (MST) will be formed by representatives of the sending body for prayer and counsel, support (both prayer and financial), and as a future link between the missionary and the sending body.   

Interview & Assessment 

Upon receipt of the application materials, FMWM will conduct assessments, gather references, and help the candidate obtain the needed psychological and physical clearances.  FMWM will then summarize the candidate’s information and qualifications, along with drafts of the assignment, job description and timeline and send it to members of a candidate review committee (CRC), which will consist of some or all of the following: FMWM personnel, the process guide, the conference superintendent, at least one representative of the sending body, the area director for the intended field of service, an MST member, a conference MEG board member, and others as needed.  The CRC will meet via conference call and the candidate may be asked to take part.  During the conference call, the CRC will determine whether or not to affirm the candidate, identify any issues for further attention, clarify the plan, and propose the placement, job description and timeline to the field.  Any additional requirements for successful ministry will also be decided upon (e.g. counseling, specialized training, an internship, discipleship, mentoring, etc.).   

Once all the above steps have been satisfactorily completed, arrangements will be made for the candidate to visit the World Ministries Center in Indianapolis for the final interview with the Missions Executive Leadership Team (MELT), which will vote on whether or not to appoint the candidate as an extended term missionary.   

Pre-Field Preparation

 

Upon approval, the new missionary will meet with FMWM staff members, plan for support-raising and transition, and attend new missionary orientation (this all usually happens during the same trip as the MELT interview, and normally takes one week).  Before a new missionary can receive clearance to depart for the field, they must complete any requirements set by the MELT, attend new missionary training (usually a three-week program for the entire family held in the summer), raise the required level of prayer and financial support, and be approved for departure once the sending body, the conference and FMWM agree that all requirements are met and all support is in place.  Field arrival is coordinated through the AD.

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Here is a more detailed process guide for pastors or those in the ordination process who are interested in moving into missionary service:

Clergy Candidate Process

Use this step-by-step process guide if you are a lay church member exploring missionary service:

Lay Candidate Process