The Missionary Relationship Program matches Regions in the Disciples of Christ and Conferences in the UCC along with their member congregations with missionaries worldwide. By developing a relationship with a missionary, a UCC Conference or Disciples Region can personalize global mission, focus on new ways of being in mission, develop international understanding, and provide a caring church community for a missionary.
This program is not a fund-raising vehicle for the missionary's special projects or for the partner church. Disciples Mission Fund/Our Churches Wider Mission is the primary source of support for missionaries. Funding for special projects is arranged through the Global Ministries Area Office and the Resource Development Office.
A Missionary Relationship usually extends for the full term of service of the missionary, two to four years. The relationship is renewable if the Region/Conference and the missionary agree. When a missionary is on home assignment, the Missionary Relationship Program office will pay round-trip airfare to the Region/Conference for an extended visit.
How can a Missionary Relationship help us focus on mission?
- Developing a relationship with a missionary gives insight into mission in other parts of the world.
- A Missionary Relationship can provide a focus as you plan your mission awareness and promotion.
- Members of congregations learn how their mission dollars are put to work, through articles and letters sent by the missionary.
- Mission becomes real to church members as they become familiar with the work and witness of the missionary. Maybe some will want to plan a mission trip to visit the missionary and the partners with whom he/she works.
- The lives of our global sisters and brothers take on new meaning as we learn about their faith, hopes, struggles and religious practices.
- When the missionary comes back for home assignment, a block of time will be offered to the Region/Conference for visits to congregations, youth camps, the assembly, annual meeting, ministerial meetings, and men's, women's, youth groups.
How does our Conference/Region establish a Missionary Relationship?
- The Mission Personnel office has made an initial proposal to each Conference and Region. These proposals are in the process of being finalized. Please contact Julia Brown Karimu, jkarimu@dom.disciples.org, Executive of the Mission Personnel office to see where your Conference or Region is in the process. If you have an interest in a particular geographic area or type of ministry, please tell us that as well.
- The Mission Personnel Office will work to establish a relationship with a missionary, attempting to match your Region's/Conference's interests with available missionary personnel. We try not to pair missionaries with more than three Regions/Conferences.
How Do I Get Started?
- Designate one primary contact person who will be in regular contact with the missionary.
- Let the missionary know who the primary contact person in the Region/Conference will be.
- Add the missionary to your mailing list to receive the Conference or Regional newspaper.
- Discuss with your missionary partner what type of correspondence will work best: post and/or email, how many letters you will write and how often and how many letters you expect to receive.
- Begin to talk about the missionary's visit and to plan activities around it.
How to get the most from your Missionary Relationship
- Consider creative ways to share the news from your missionaries and ways to include this information. Use monthly ministers' mailings, Regional/Conference newspaper and website, moments for mission, mission illustrations during sermons. Lift them up any time the church gathers.
- Include your missionaries, and those with whom they work, in your prayers. Invite local churches to pray for your partners.
- Urge individual congregations to create a bulletin board highlighting this relationship.
- Consider including your missionary relationship names on your stationery.
- During an assembly or annual meeting, consider emphasizing your missionary's ministry using photos, a video (if available), and a map of the host country. Why not try organizing a live phone call.
- Develop youth and children's mission programs focusing on your missionary and their host country. Ask the missionary for input.
