支持團隊 – Support Team
You should not go on a STM without a Support Team! What’s a Support Team? Its people who are committed to joining you in ministry through prayer, financial, logistical, emotional, communications, and re-entry support. No one can stand alone. We all need the body of Christ.
Two primary areas for short-term missions support are prayer and finances. These go hand in hand. Those giving are usually the ones praying for you. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”[1]
Those who support you need to see themselves as a team, united together with the common cause of making you as effective as possible in your cross-cultural ministry. They must feel a part of your ministry and not just see themselves as one involved in charitable giving. In a team concept, everyone has a responsibility. In short-term missions, those who give and pray are just as important as these who serve cross-culturally.
A basic prerequisite for Support Discovery is a clear understanding of the biblical basis for this ministry. If you are embarrassed by the thought of asking for support and do not understand the biblical basis, you will not properly challenge people to join you. It is critical that you take the time to search the Scriptures.
God is the source (Philippians 4:19, 1 Chronicles 29:12-14, Mark 12:41-44). God is the source of all you have and the One who entrust with all you give. Biblical giving is always to God, not to an individual. And the reverse is also true. Biblical receiving is always from God and not from an individual. Even though people want to support your ministry personally, they must know that their giving is as unto the Lord. Thus, their giving is a response to their faithfulness to Him and not just their individual concern for you and your ministry.
The ministry and minister are worthy of support (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Matthew 10:10, Galatians 6:6, Philippians 4:10-20, 1 Corinthians 9:3-14, 1 Timothy 5:18). You are valuable in the sight of God. God provided for your salvation and provides for your every need. As one called by the Lord to certain tasks, we can be sure He will provide for our personal needs and ministry needs. Consistently throughout Scripture, God provided for His servants’ earthly needs through the gifts and offering of His children. If God leads you to missionary life, then you can be confident that He will provide.
Raising support, like missionary life, is a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6-10-12). Satan will try to discourage you in the Support Discovery process. Satan is against you. He will cause you to think of yourself as a beggar or one not worthy of support. Remember, the easiest way for Satan to keep us from a cross-cultural ministry is to discourage us before we even leave home.
People should be challenged to give of their finances (2 Corinthians 8:7, Romans 10:15). The need to give to missionary service is greater than your need to receive. God could provide for you in different ways to accomplish His will. However, He has chosen to do so through the gifts of other believers. By giving, believers are able to be involved in the advancement of God’s Kingdom, and they are able to exercise dependence on the Lord in their finances. They are able to serve as senders by giving!
It is critical to challenge people to give. Be honest and straightforward in this challenge. Just as you need to be challenged spiritually, others do too. Do not be afraid to challenge people to pray for you, your ministry, and the world. Also, as people are challenged to be involved, you too will be spurred on in your faith.
There is nothing in Scripture that prohibits asking directly for financial support (Romans 15:24, Philippians 4:14-20). It is true that there are a number of men and women in the history of missions who did not ask directly for support. Their reasons were based on personal convictions, not on explicit biblical principles. Paul directly tells the Romans in 15:24 that he hopes to have them “assist” him on his journey to Spain. Paul’s motivation in Philippians 4:14-20 for having people involved in his ministry is for their blessing! Your challenge will also allow others to experience God’s blessing.
It is important to be open about finances. Most people would much rather hear what your needs are and how they can be involved than to have you “hint” about giving. It is important to present your financial needs clearly, directly and honestly, without begin pushy. Let the Lord speak to them about joining your support team.
So how do you go about Raising Support? Time, energy and hard work. But, the best place to start is with prayer. It’s not work that makes things happen, it’s GOD! Remember that it is the Holy Spirit who leads people to be involved.
· Pray for God’s direction in making your list of potential support team members.
· Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide people as they consider committing themselves to praying, giving and helping.
· Pray for people to be open to God’s leading.
· Pray for boldness as you share your needs.
· Pray for wisdom and clarity as you share about your ministry.
Adapted from Help! We’re going on a short-term Trip, Team Member’s Manual by CultureLink.
建 立 支 持 團 隊 How Can I Build a Support Team?
Building a good support team can enhance your short-term experience. The following support ideas consist of several mailings, which may seem like a lot. However, you need to remember this is a plan for involving people in world missions, not simply raising money for yourself. You are building a team. A team is aware of each other and needs each other. So keep up with your support people and include them in the ministry!
A good support team is an informed support team.
Be specific in your support letter:
· Why are you going?
· Where are you going and with which organization?
· What will you do?
· What are your prayer needs?
· What do you hope to learn?
· How does this fit in with your life plans?
· How much support do you need?
· What is the support for (airfare, materials, housing, etc.)?
A good support team is a respected support team.
In discovering your support team, relationships are key. You may be raising support now, however, throughout your life and your individual ministry you have been raising credibility for a long time. Those with whom you have shared your life and your ministry are usually part of your team already. Unless the Lord specifically directs you to inform someone you do not know about joining your support team, don’t. Make a list of friends, family, ministry partners, work colleagues, etc.
Provide quality information to your future supporters. This means you should proof your letters and add personal notes. Sign letters in blue ink. A mistake often made is the misspelling of someone’s name or sending letters to the wrong address. Be sure to do you homework.
A good support team is an involved support team.
People want to be involved and they need to know how. Provide clear ways for them to respond. In your communication you may want to include:
· A stamped, addressed return envelope to the church where the support is to be sent.
· Clear instructions on how the check is to be written.
· Information on your departure and arrival home dates. They may want to send you off and/or welcome you home.
· Special prayer times for your trip so they can join you and others in praying for your ministry.
These suggestions do not all need to be included in your first letter, but as your support team builds, you can determine each individual’s involvement.
A good support team is an appreciated support team.
When support comes in, respond promptly with a personal handwritten thank you note. Realize this is a special gift. Think about it. If someone make $15/hour and sends you $50, they are sending you five hours of their work. Clearly this warrants some thoughtful, personal communications on your part. Here are some ideas on showing your appreciation:
· Before you depart, send a prayer letter to your team with your final itinerary. This is a good opportunity for a card with specific prayer requests.
· Take a set of mailing labels of your address list with you and send everyone a postcard. People love foreign postmarks and stamps.
· Collect something small to bring back for all your supporters as a gift – pictures, stamps, small coins or bills.
· When you return, send out a prayer letter with at least one story and something specific you learned. Add a sheet of copied pictures and enclose your small gift.
· Host a report night for your support team. Give them the opportunity to see where they were able to minister by being on your team.
Maybe you think that your money will just roll in, or in contrast, that you will never raise your support. God knows your needs. Included in those needs are people, prayer, and money. Allow the Lord to build your team. Allow Him to work through you to impact their lives. In the midst of support discovery, you may the tendency to focus on the task and forget about the people the Lord is bringing to be part of your team. Continually take this process to the Lord.
You should not go on a STM without a Support Team! What’s a Support Team? Its people who are committed to joining you in ministry through prayer, financial, logistical, emotional, communications, and re-entry support. No one can stand alone. We all need the body of Christ.
Two primary areas for short-term missions support are prayer and finances. These go hand in hand. Those giving are usually the ones praying for you. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”[1]
Those who support you need to see themselves as a team, united together with the common cause of making you as effective as possible in your cross-cultural ministry. They must feel a part of your ministry and not just see themselves as one involved in charitable giving. In a team concept, everyone has a responsibility. In short-term missions, those who give and pray are just as important as these who serve cross-culturally.
A basic prerequisite for Support Discovery is a clear understanding of the biblical basis for this ministry. If you are embarrassed by the thought of asking for support and do not understand the biblical basis, you will not properly challenge people to join you. It is critical that you take the time to search the Scriptures.
God is the source (Philippians 4:19, 1 Chronicles 29:12-14, Mark 12:41-44). God is the source of all you have and the One who entrust with all you give. Biblical giving is always to God, not to an individual. And the reverse is also true. Biblical receiving is always from God and not from an individual. Even though people want to support your ministry personally, they must know that their giving is as unto the Lord. Thus, their giving is a response to their faithfulness to Him and not just their individual concern for you and your ministry.
The ministry and minister are worthy of support (2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Matthew 10:10, Galatians 6:6, Philippians 4:10-20, 1 Corinthians 9:3-14, 1 Timothy 5:18). You are valuable in the sight of God. God provided for your salvation and provides for your every need. As one called by the Lord to certain tasks, we can be sure He will provide for our personal needs and ministry needs. Consistently throughout Scripture, God provided for His servants’ earthly needs through the gifts and offering of His children. If God leads you to missionary life, then you can be confident that He will provide.
Raising support, like missionary life, is a spiritual battle (Ephesians 6-10-12). Satan will try to discourage you in the Support Discovery process. Satan is against you. He will cause you to think of yourself as a beggar or one not worthy of support. Remember, the easiest way for Satan to keep us from a cross-cultural ministry is to discourage us before we even leave home.
People should be challenged to give of their finances (2 Corinthians 8:7, Romans 10:15). The need to give to missionary service is greater than your need to receive. God could provide for you in different ways to accomplish His will. However, He has chosen to do so through the gifts of other believers. By giving, believers are able to be involved in the advancement of God’s Kingdom, and they are able to exercise dependence on the Lord in their finances. They are able to serve as senders by giving!
It is critical to challenge people to give. Be honest and straightforward in this challenge. Just as you need to be challenged spiritually, others do too. Do not be afraid to challenge people to pray for you, your ministry, and the world. Also, as people are challenged to be involved, you too will be spurred on in your faith.
There is nothing in Scripture that prohibits asking directly for financial support (Romans 15:24, Philippians 4:14-20). It is true that there are a number of men and women in the history of missions who did not ask directly for support. Their reasons were based on personal convictions, not on explicit biblical principles. Paul directly tells the Romans in 15:24 that he hopes to have them “assist” him on his journey to Spain. Paul’s motivation in Philippians 4:14-20 for having people involved in his ministry is for their blessing! Your challenge will also allow others to experience God’s blessing.
It is important to be open about finances. Most people would much rather hear what your needs are and how they can be involved than to have you “hint” about giving. It is important to present your financial needs clearly, directly and honestly, without begin pushy. Let the Lord speak to them about joining your support team.
So how do you go about Raising Support? Time, energy and hard work. But, the best place to start is with prayer. It’s not work that makes things happen, it’s GOD! Remember that it is the Holy Spirit who leads people to be involved.
· Pray for God’s direction in making your list of potential support team members.
· Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide people as they consider committing themselves to praying, giving and helping.
· Pray for people to be open to God’s leading.
· Pray for boldness as you share your needs.
· Pray for wisdom and clarity as you share about your ministry.
Adapted from Help! We’re going on a short-term Trip, Team Member’s Manual by CultureLink.
建 立 支 持 團 隊 How Can I Build a Support Team?
Building a good support team can enhance your short-term experience. The following support ideas consist of several mailings, which may seem like a lot. However, you need to remember this is a plan for involving people in world missions, not simply raising money for yourself. You are building a team. A team is aware of each other and needs each other. So keep up with your support people and include them in the ministry!
A good support team is an informed support team.
Be specific in your support letter:
· Why are you going?
· Where are you going and with which organization?
· What will you do?
· What are your prayer needs?
· What do you hope to learn?
· How does this fit in with your life plans?
· How much support do you need?
· What is the support for (airfare, materials, housing, etc.)?
A good support team is a respected support team.
In discovering your support team, relationships are key. You may be raising support now, however, throughout your life and your individual ministry you have been raising credibility for a long time. Those with whom you have shared your life and your ministry are usually part of your team already. Unless the Lord specifically directs you to inform someone you do not know about joining your support team, don’t. Make a list of friends, family, ministry partners, work colleagues, etc.
Provide quality information to your future supporters. This means you should proof your letters and add personal notes. Sign letters in blue ink. A mistake often made is the misspelling of someone’s name or sending letters to the wrong address. Be sure to do you homework.
A good support team is an involved support team.
People want to be involved and they need to know how. Provide clear ways for them to respond. In your communication you may want to include:
· A stamped, addressed return envelope to the church where the support is to be sent.
· Clear instructions on how the check is to be written.
· Information on your departure and arrival home dates. They may want to send you off and/or welcome you home.
· Special prayer times for your trip so they can join you and others in praying for your ministry.
These suggestions do not all need to be included in your first letter, but as your support team builds, you can determine each individual’s involvement.
A good support team is an appreciated support team.
When support comes in, respond promptly with a personal handwritten thank you note. Realize this is a special gift. Think about it. If someone make $15/hour and sends you $50, they are sending you five hours of their work. Clearly this warrants some thoughtful, personal communications on your part. Here are some ideas on showing your appreciation:
· Before you depart, send a prayer letter to your team with your final itinerary. This is a good opportunity for a card with specific prayer requests.
· Take a set of mailing labels of your address list with you and send everyone a postcard. People love foreign postmarks and stamps.
· Collect something small to bring back for all your supporters as a gift – pictures, stamps, small coins or bills.
· When you return, send out a prayer letter with at least one story and something specific you learned. Add a sheet of copied pictures and enclose your small gift.
· Host a report night for your support team. Give them the opportunity to see where they were able to minister by being on your team.
Maybe you think that your money will just roll in, or in contrast, that you will never raise your support. God knows your needs. Included in those needs are people, prayer, and money. Allow the Lord to build your team. Allow Him to work through you to impact their lives. In the midst of support discovery, you may the tendency to focus on the task and forget about the people the Lord is bringing to be part of your team. Continually take this process to the Lord.
