Skills, Knowledge, Character: A Church-Based Approach to Missionary Candidate Preparation

Tomorrow's missionaries ought to come from today s churches. As the local church fulfills its role of making disciples, some of them will sense God s call for missions service in a cross-cultural context. Church leadership will take an intentional role by creating relationships, experiences and environments that will help prepare the individual or family to live and serve overseas.

Under the three general umbrellas of skill, knowledge and character the church will build individuals who will not only survive the rigors of living in challenging situations, but will thrive. Their health will be exhibited in interpersonal skills, self-awareness, spiritual maturity, emotional and relational insight.

The church does this in a well thought-out partnership with the missions agency, the formal school and the specialized training organization. Together these four contribute from their respective strengths to serve those that God calls into Kingdom work in another cultural setting.

Skills
Emotional: knowing how to regenerate, understanding how to respond in various situations
Social: listening, resolving conflict, adapting, observing
Ministry: doing evangelism and discipleship, working in a team setting, comfortable in cross-cultural settings
Financial: living within means, planning for the future, generous

Knowledge
Biblical: theological, missiology, missions history, spiritual warfare, sociology/anthropology
Personal and corporate health issues
Understands and is comfortable with how God has made him, including his traits, feelings, attitude, behaviors, and how he is perceived by others Identity in Christ

Character
High standards of honesty and integrity
Tenacity, perseverance, follow through
Resilience in the face of opposition
Handling criticism and conflict
Teachable
Forgiving and compassionate
Showing discernment in behavior, life choices, activities
Servant attitude
Displaying attitude and contentedness

Greg Carter is the Outreach Pastor at Liberty Bible Church (EFCA) in Chesterton, IN