Where possible, SEND seeks to partner with the existing local churches in the host culture rather than starting our own “SEND brand” of churches. We work with and serve these existing churches to assist them in their church planting efforts. These partnerships provide many unique opportunities for SEND, but also present some unique challenges, particularly to new missionaries who are seeking to find their place of ministry alongside national pastors and existing ministries.

1. To identify the reasons why SEND partners with existing national churches and some of the challenges that come with that partnership
2. To develop a plan for how missionaries will learn more about the host culture church
3. To develop a plan for how missionaries will seek to establish their credibility with the host culture church

• In Google Docs format

• In Word format

• Handout with polls and blanks filled in

• Section on national church in SEND manual

• Cross-cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility - recommended book authored by Duane Elmer

• The 5 Circle-Steps of Cross-Cultural Servanthood - a web article by Duane Elmer that summarizes the principles of Cross-cultural servanthood

• Church Planting Financial Code of Ethics - drawn from Woodberry's Seed to Fruit book

• When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourselfby Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. Chosen as the 2010 Book of the Year in the mission category (Missio Nexus).

• Review by Tim Baker

Return to the main July 2014 MOP page