English Presbytery Mission Policy

  1. 1. THE EP MISSIONS COMMITTEE

    1. 1.1 Roles and Responsibilities

      The EPMC shall have the following roles and responsibilities:

      1. 1.1.1 As a service centre coming alongside EP churches to educate, encourage and empower them in the completion of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20)
        1. (a) Organize missions consultations and conventions
        2. (b) Promote mission awareness through a dedicated website and Presbyterian Express
      2. 1.1.2 As a catalyst to engage EP churches in doing missions together with the common goal of winning the lost for Jesus.
        1. (a) Facilitate mission partnership among EP churches through the sharing of projects, personnel and finances
        2. (b) Build overseas mission networking in collaboration with Synod Missions and other mission agencies
        3. (c) Send missionaries to local and overseas harvest fields in partnership with EP churches and mission agencies

    2. 1.2 Organizational Structure

      The EPMC shall have not less that seven members comprising of:

      1. 1.2.1. The Chairperson who shall chair and conduct all EPMC meetings, appoint Ad Hoc Sub Committees and report to the EP Ex-Co.
      2. 1.2.2. The Vice-Chairman who shall take over the Chairperson’s responsibilities in his/her absence.
      3. 1.2.3. The Secretary who shall record and maintain minutes of all EPMC meetings.
      4. 1.2.4. The Assistant Secretary who shall keep record of all mission funds received and disbursed as approved by the EPMC budget.
      5. 1.2.5. Three or more members who are nominated by the EPMC and approved by the EP Ex-Co.
      6. 1.2.6. Any congregational member (s) can also be co-opted into the EPMC.

      The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary shall be appointed by the EP Ex-Co.

    3. 1.3 Ad Hoc Sub Committees

      1. 1.3.1. Ad Hoc Sub Committees may be established at any time to perform specific tasks to specific time frames as and when the need arises.
      2. 1.3.2. Members of these committees can be EPMC members or any other person appointed by the Chairperson.

    4. 1.4 Terms of Service

      1. 1.4.1. All EPMC members shall serve a term of two years which will run concurrently with the term of the EP Ex-Co.
      2. 1.4.2. Whilst members from EP churches who are not represented at the current EPMC are encouraged to serve in the EPMC, there will be no limit in the number of times a person can be re-appointed to serve in the EPMC.

    5. 1.5 Meetings

      1. 1.5.1. The EPMC shall meet monthly, unless otherwise agreed upon.
      2. 1.5.2. The Quorum for such meeting shall be not less than half of the total number constituting the EPMC.
      3. 1.5.3 All decisions of the EPMC shall be made by way of a simple majority. Unless a decision is reversed by the EP Ex-Co, the decision of the EPMC shall be binding and conclusive.

  2. 2. FINANCIAL POLICIES

    1. 2.1. The Chairman shall propose the Annual Budget to the EPMC for discussion.
    2. 2.2. The EPMC shall submit the proposed Annual Budget to the EP Ex-Co treasurer for incorporation into the English Presbytery Budget.
    3. 2.3. Upon approval of the Annual Budget, the Chairman shall be authorized to certify the release of the missions funds.

  3. 3. SENDING OF PRESBYTERY MISSIONARIES

    EP missionaries are members approved and sent by the EP to serve in the mission fields.

    1. 3.1 SELECTION CRITERIA

      * A missionary can be defined as a member commissioned and sent by the Church for missionary work locally or overseas with approved missions organizations with a commitment of at least two years.

      1. 3.1.1. The candidate must have the full endorsement of his/her local church to be sent out as a missionary*.
      2. 3.1.2. The church shall write officially to the Presbytery for recognition of the candidate as an EP missionary.
      3. 3.1.3. The EPMC shall interview the candidate and submit its recommendations to the EP Ex-Co for approval.
      4. 3.1.4. Upon approval by the EP Ex-Co, a letter of appointment signed by the EP Moderator will be given to the candidate.

    2. 3.2 COMMISSIONING SERVICE

      1. 3.2.1. All new EP missionaries shall be commissioned at his/her church before their taking up his/her assignment.
      2. 3.2.2. The local church, the EP Ex-Co and the EPMC shall jointly be involved in the commissioning service.

    3. 3.3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PRESBYTERY SUPPORT

      1. 3.3.1. The term of the EP missionary shall be according to the terms and conditions laid down by the church.
      2. 3.3.2. The EP missionary shall be accountable to the EPMC by submitting an annual report, or as directed.
      3. 3.3.3. The EPMC shall liaise with the church and mission agency for follow-up of the missionary where possible.
      4. 3.3.4. The welfare scheme for the missionary (financial support, training, children’s education, insurance, housing, medical/health and retirement benefits, pastoral care, home leave, etc) shall be the responsibility of the church and mission agency.
      5. 3.3.5. The EPMC shall consider requests for assistance for co-funding an equitable share of the cost of equipping and supporting an EP missionary in the field.
      6. 3.3.6. The status of the EP missionary shall cease when the missionary has completed his/her term of assignment or is no longer serving in the ministry endorsed by the church and mission agency.

Submitted by the EPMC on 16 February 2011

Endorsed by the EP Ex-Co on 26 May 2011