| Defining Ministry and Mission |
Connecting People to the World through Service
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FBCSmyrna defines two environments where people have the opportunity to connect to the world through service. The two environments we encourage FBCSmyrna attendees to serve are ministry and missions.
Ministry is serving people or ministries within the church, a small group, or a Sunday school class. Primary and ongoing opportunities are provided on a weekly basis in the essential ministries of FBCSmyrna (preschool, children, students, grouplife, worship, production, first impressions, etc.).
Mission is sending others to serve outside of the church, a small group, or a Sunday school class.
All Christ Followers are Ministers and Missionaries, in their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the Ends of the Earth (Acts 1:8).
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Defining Mission Service
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Community Mission Projects (Jerusalem and Judea)
When someone shares a burden to do something outside of church walls in our immediate community, we will encourage them to first share their passion with their small group. They can address the need as a small group or even involve other small groups. Small group staff and coaches will consult with small group mission leaders for direction and accountability. The groups will resource the mission project from offerings above regular tithing. Any fundraising must take place outside of the church.
Examples: Start a new small group; Serve practical needs of a neighbor in crisis; Help an established community ministry or mission initiative.
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Community Mission Initiatives (Jerusalem and Judea)
When a project is too large for a small group or even several small groups to address, global | i staff and other leaders will evaluate the project to determine if it should become a mission initiative of the church. If the global | i staff deems that it should become an initiative of the church, the global | i staff will help form teams and strategies for each initiative. global | i staff will consult with team leaders of each initiative for direction and accountability. The church will help resource the initiative from budget. Any fundraising above budget for an initiative must take place outside of the church.
Examples: Start a local church plant (instead of a new small group); Organize a large community service project or ministry; Form a partnership with a local entity outside of FBCSmyrna.
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Global Mission Projects (Samaria and to the Ends of the Earth)
When someone shares a burden for a need in another part of the U.S. or for a project in another country, we will encourage him or her to first share their passion with their small group. global | i staff and other leaders will offer counsel and training but will wait to evaluate the project in the context of current initiatives, partnerships, and budgets before considering a new initiative for the church. The individual or groups will resource the mission project from offerings above regular tithing. Any fundraising must take place outside of the church.
Examples: Mission trip with another church or entity not in partnership with FBCSmyrna; Sponsor orphans overseas through another entity; Personal or family trip.
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Global Mission Initiatives (Samaria and to the Ends of the Earth)
global | i staff and other leaders in the church will evaluate opportunities and determine if a project will become an initiative of the church. global | i staff will help form teams and strategies for each initiative. global | i staff will consult with team leaders of each initiative for direction and accountability. The church will help resource the initiative from budget. Any fundraising above budget for an initiative must take place outside of the church.
Examples: Mission initiatives in another country or another state in the U.S. that may lead to a long-term partnership with the local people and other entities.
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Global and Community Mission Partnerships
A mission initiative can move from a short-term commitment (2 to 4 years) into a long-term partnership (up to 10 years or beyond) when certain criteria are met:
1. Church staff and mission initiative leaders, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, agree that the initiative needs a long-term commitment from the church to make a lasting impact.
2. global | i staff, after careful evaluation, determines that the initiative will have real potential for multiplying disciples, leaders and churches.
3. Relationships with local partners are stable and there is agreement about mission strategy.
4. The people group, population segment, or place is not being effectively engaged with the gospel by a great number of evangelical churches or agencies.
5. The human need is overwhelming and demands a response from God’s people.
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