Having prior ministry experience before you embark on long-term cross-cultural ministry is vital. It is important to reflect on what areas of ministry you have been involved in, and how that experience will be useful to you for future ministry. In identifying together where there are gaps, we can assess how these can be best addressed before you join a team. Thinking about what your approach may be will help you remain intentional in your ministry.

 

Pre-field requirements:

  • Involvement in cross-cultural evangelism and discipleship.
  • On-going involvement with your local church.
  • An understanding of your spiritual gifts, abilities and ministry style.
  • To have relevant professional skills, qualifications and/or experience.
  • To identify your platform for ministry.
  • An awareness of current trends within Church Planting Movements, the different church planting methods used and their relevance in a cross-cultural context.
  • To know how to operate securely on the field.
  • To be aware of your safeguarding responsibilities.
  • Fulfilment of Pioneers security training requirements.*
  • Fulfilment of Pioneers safeguarding requirements.*

 

How to fulfil requirements:

    Essential (requirements which must be completed)

    • Complete the Pioneers online security training.*
    • Complete the Pioneers IT security training.*
    • Complete Pioneers approved practical security training.*
    • Complete a DBS, Access NI, or Garda Vetting check.*
    • Complete Pioneers safeguarding training.*
    • Gain ministry experience.
    • Consult with your sending church to understand your calling and giftings.
    • Attend a Mission Explored weekend.*

     

    Ongoing development (ways of growing further in this area):
     

    • Participate in a short-term mission trip such as Edge, Venture or equivalent.*
    • Participate in training with a Pioneers team in the UK or Ireland.*
    • Work through a spiritual gifts questionnaire.
    • Attend an Al Massira training event.
    • Learn how to lead a Discovery Bible Study.
    • Take part in Pioneers CPM Training.*
    • Attend debriefing on HMA.*
     

    Suggested resources

    Start here – suggested foundational resources

     

    Spiritual gifts and personal strengths

    • What You Do Best in the Body of Christ: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, Personal Style, and God-given Passion – Bruce Bugbee.
      (See also: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts the Network Way: 4 Assessments for Determining Your Spiritual Gifts – Bruce Bugbee)
    • Strengthsfinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now Discover Your Strengths – Tom Rath.
    • Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow – C. Peter Wagner.

     

    Church planting and ministry approach

    • ► Theology of Work – Gerry Breshears, Biblicaltraining.org.
    • When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor…and yourself – Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert.
      (See also  video series)
    • Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World – David Garrison.
    • T4T: A Discipleship Re-Revolution – Steve Smith & Ying Kai.
    • Doing Mission in the Arab World – Rev. Dr. John Stringer (ed).
    • Miraculous Movements: How Hundreds of Thousands of Muslims Are Falling in Love with Jesus – Jerry Trousdale.
    • Contagious Disciple Making: Leading others on a journey of faith and Discovery– David L Watson & Paul D Watson.
    • Preparing Arab World Leaders for Ministry “Progressing Together” discipleship course (PALM).
    • Pioneers Marketplace Ministries resources.