Harvest Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC

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Missions Policy of Harvest Baptist Church

153 Miller Pond Road
Rock Hill, SC 29732
March 17, 2004


Introduction

Harvest Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC, believes that it is its Biblical duty to evangelize the lost and edify the saints both in its home area and throughout the world (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 1:8).

Consistent with this Biblical philosophy, we believe that converts around the world should be organized into Bible believing, New Testament, Baptist churches.

This policy is intended to define our goals, our criteria for determining support, and allocation of funds.


Doctrinal Policy

All mission support must be to those in full agreement with Harvest Baptist's constitution, by-laws, and philosophy of ministry. Harvest Baptist will not not support a missionary with a charismatic or hyper-Calvinist doctrine. If a missionary changes a doctrinal position, he or she must notify the Pastor or Chairman of the Missions Committee of Harvest Baptist.

Vision and Emphasis

It is our intent to keep the missionary vision before the church. This may be done by having missionaries speak, preach, teach Sunday school, participate in mission conferences and vacation Bible schools, by posting their pictures and newsletters, by e-mails, phone calls, and personal visits. Our emphasis is on planting local churches at home and abroad. Thus, our support will reflect this emphasis.


Review of Individual Missionaries and Missionary Families

Before recommending support of a missionary or family, the following steps must be taken:

  1. Male candidates must be ordained by their sending church, or a church of like faith and practice.
  2. Female candidates must be approved by their sending church after doctrinal and other screening.
  3. The candidate must be proved by the character qualifications given in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9.
  4. The ordination (doctrinal) statement must be received by Harvest Baptist prior to an interview by the Pastor and at least two deacons, at least one of whom is on the Missions committee.
  5. The interview will contain discussion of the candidate's conversion, call, doctrine, family, finances, philosophy of ministry, and personal qualifications.
  6. Upon successful completion of the above steps, the candidate must be present at the annual missions conference and participate in the training and preaching there.
  7. Upon recommendation of the Missions Committee and the Pastor, the church must approve in a business meeting.

Review of a Mission Agency

  1. The mission agency's doctrinal statement must be in conformity Harvest Baptist's
    doctrinal statement found in the Harvest constitution.
  2. The mission agency's representative must be interviewed as to his mission's policies,
    oversight of missionaries, and relationship with local supporting churches.
  3. The mission agency's representative must participate in an annual missions conference.

Accountability

  1. For those missionaries supported by Harvest Baptist, we will monitor progress via communications, visits, and reports in conjunction with the mission agency. Our missionaries are considered members of the church staff and will be treated accordingly. If a problem occurs, we will contact the pastor of the sending church and the appropriate mission board representative.
    If the problem is any practice that brings reproach upon the name of our Savior, the missionary may be dismissed immediately upon recommendation by the Missions Committee and a simple majority vote of the congregation (see Article VI. A. 4. of the Harvest Baptist Constitution).
  2. Supported missionaries are expected to communicate with Harvest Baptist a minimum of once every 60 days (this may be done by e-mail).
  3. Supported missionaries are expected to personally visit Harvest Baptist for at least one day during his/her furlough. During this visit, the missionary should report on family and ministry needs. If possible, we would like our supporting missionaries to participate in Harvest Baptist’s annual missions conference or vacation Bible school.
  4. Supported missionaries are expected to submit their goals for their ministry to the Harvest Baptist Missions Committee. These goals should be in writing and include immediate (1-2 year), short range (3-5 year), and long range (6-10 year) goals [Harvest Baptist’s goals may be viewed at www.HBCRockhill.org/docs/ministrygoals.htm]. These goals will be reviewed every two years. If their goals have already been prepared for the mission board, a copy of those goals may be submitted.
  5. Missionary must maintain a verifiable retirement account.
  6. If the missionary changes boards or field of service, the missionary must reapply for support.

Allocation of Missions Funds

  1. It is the stated goal of Harvest Baptist to give 11 percent of its general budget to missions in 2004, 12 percent in 2005-07, and 14 percent thereafter (special offerings for missions are also collected).
  2. For the year 2004, it is our goal to allocate 70 percent to our traditional missionaries and 30 percent to indigenous missions.
  3. This allocation policy will be reviewed annually for the following purposes:
    1. To review percentages allocated to traditional missions and indigenous missions.
    2. To review the support level of current missionaries.
    3. To review the financial needs of any Harvest member in seminary or on deputation.
    4. To review financial requests for special projects undertaken by missionaries or mission boards supported by Harvest Baptist.
    5. To review financial needs of missionaries, mission boards, and other organizations [Christian camps and schools] that are not regularly supported by Harvest, but are of the same “faith and practice.”