A. General Missions Statement of Purpose

Believers comprising Calvary Chapel Boise seek to prayerfully and effectively work with each other (and with other like-minded Christians) to encourage, develop, and facilitate God's desire for us to:

• Fulfill the "Great Commission" of going into all the world to preach the gospel. (Matthew 28:19-20)
• See unbelievers saved and then nurtured and discipled in the Word. (John 3:16, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:13-15)
• Minister to the totality of human need as motivated by Christ's love. (Matthew 22:37-39; 25:31-46)
  

B. Various Types of Mission Involvement

As a fellowship, we recognize three broad types of missions involvement which are important and necessary to the overall accomplishment of our Statement of Purpose:

• Short-Term Missions—Those lasting from a few days to several weeks, which are organized and approved by CC-Boise, but receive no financial assistance (from the church) for individual participants.
• Intermediate and Long-Term Missions—Those which will generally last at least one year, and may qualify for some financial assistance for a specified period of time.
• Stateside Support Teams—Those ongoing works behind the scenes (usually here at home), which contribute prayer, financial support, and administrative assistance to make work in "the field" possible. Administration of Missions activities is directed by the CC-Boise Pastor and Elders, and carried out through the functioning of the Missions Board
  

C. Recognizing Your Calling To Missions

Some people have a sense of God's call on their lives at an early age. For others, that "call" may develop and change over the course of a lifetime. Often times in Scripture, as in real life today, individual callings are born out of some combination of the following circumstances:

• Recognition of a certain existing need, and a growing desire to be used by God to meet that need.
• A "time of preparation" whereby a believer's past experiences and service are consistent with and helpful for the future task
• Increasing faith and confidence in God to meet any specific challenges.
• Circumstances which seem to indicate an "open door" of opportunity.
• Confirmation of your calling by other trusted and respected believers.
• Personal confirmation through prayer and Scripture.
  

D. Resources to Assist You in Your Calling

CC-Boise desires to create a healthy environment for these "callings" to develop, and to provide resources and experiences which may confirm and/or reinforce God's leading in your life. Some of the things we provide are as follows:

• Recommended reading lists of books which may be helpful.
• Various opportunities for service locally and within our own fellowship.
• Missions prayer and support groups (including medical missions support).
• Periodic missions seminars, retreats, and/or guest speakers.
• Summer outreaches and other "Short Term" missions opportunities.
• Connections to, and information about, other Calvary Chapel missions, as well as reputable para-church organizations.
• Financial assistance for certain approved Intermediate and Long-Term Missions endeavors.
• Funds management and disbursement (optional) for Intermediate and Long-Term
• Missionaries through the CC-Boise Missions Board.
  

E. Short-Term Missions Goals/Objectives

• Evangelism and outreach to the lost.
• Encourage and assist existing ministries.
• Provide experiences which facilitate personal spiritual growth and a clearer understanding of your calling.
• Promote a God-centered world view which influences lifestyle choices, prayer life, and financial responsibility, and imparts that vision to others.
  

F. Short-Term Missions Participant Requirements

• Be a born-again believer, able to share your testimony with others, while evidencing a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Prayerfully seek God's will for going at this particular time.
• Be diligent in personal preparation through prayer, study, and learning practical skills which would be of benefit for the outreach.
• Have the recommendations and encouragement of at least three other believers (one of whom should be a pastor, elder, or other staff worker) who support your involvement at this time.
• Be responsible for raising your own support and/or letting God supernaturally provide for your participation.
• Participate in whatever training sessions and/or prayer meetings as may be required.
• Learn as much as possible about the culture before going into it.
• Get all necessary shots and/or medications, and find out what's needed for personal hygiene, clothing requirements, and other practical matters.
• Be prepared to "become all things to all men" (in order to win some), by being ready to eat strange food and being gracious and appreciative—even in culturally uncomfortable situations.
• Have a servant's heart by putting others before yourself, and not demanding your "rights" or needing special attention.
• Complete all necessary paperwork for your trip (including applications to CC-Boise, a valid passport, and visa(s) as may be required for particular countries).
• Appoint a designated "contact person" here at home during your absence who will be accountable to the CC-Boise Missions Board on your behalf, and also handle emergencies and other situations which may arise. NOTE: You are responsible for all matters pertaining to personal insurance, the transference of medical or other emergency funds, and whether or not you have a Last Testament and Will (recommended).
  

G. Intermediate and Long-Term Missions Goals/Objectives

• Strengthen and assist existing ministries with ongoing, long-term support.
• Establish new ministries to unreached people, with the goal of turning over the work to local indigenous believers as soon as possible.
• Demonstrate the love of God for the lost by ministering to practical needs of the poor and needy.
• Equip local believers for continued growth, evangelism, and Church planting.
  

H. Intermediate and Long-Term Missions Participant Requirements

In addition to all previous requirements for Short-Term Missions, the intermediate and long-term missionaries must also:

• Be established in the Word, apt to teach, and have a proven track record of service within the local fellowship.
• Be motivated by love for God and a passion for the lost.
• Have confirmation of your "calling" and giftings by other mature believers whom you know and trust.
• Be culturally adaptive, and manifest the "fruits of the Spirit."
• Be respectful but not afraid of Satan's power and devices, and be able to operate in the anointing of the Holy Spirit to combat spiritual warfare.
• Be a man or woman of prayer.
• Have experience in handling personal weaknesses and resisting temptation.
• Be able to work well with a "team," and have shown the ability to submit to recognized authority.
• Be responsible for raising all necessary ministry financial support (beyond whatever CC-Boise may contribute).
• Tie up all loose ends and fulfill debt obligations before leaving. You don't want to be dragged down by unresolved business matters. (As a matter of policy, no more than $500 per month per family may be received from CC-Boise as "personal income" to help retire obligations back home in the U.S.).
• Develop a stateside "Support Team" with a designated administrator who will handle your personal affairs, have legal power of attorney, and coordinate communications and support with the CC-Boise Missions Board.

I. Explanation of "Financial Assistance"

Calvary Chapel Boise desires to assist people from our fellowship who have manifested an obvious sense of God’s call on their life for missions and/or evangelism. While each missionary is responsible to raise their own monthly financial support before leaving, a portion of that support may be contributed from general Church funds. As God provides, partial financial assistance may be given to certain qualifying persons who desire to stay affiliated with, and spiritually accountable to CC-Boise. Persons receiving funding are treated as "subcontractors" for whatever they receive as personal income. Each person, therefore, is responsible to report their own state and federal tax liability (including quarterly payments as required), based on whatever they receive as "personal income." Additional funding received for monthly ministry expenses (i.e. transportation, facilities costs, food & housing allowances, and ministry-related supplies, etc.) are not reported as personal income to you.

For most missionaries the amount of monthly "personal income" needed is relatively small while in the "field," thus minimizing your tax liability. In certain circumstances, however, higher amounts of funding for personal travel, insurance, medical expenses, or other unique needs may be required. Be sure to think about and include on your Financial Worksheet a monthly reserve for any such additional expenses for which you (at some point) will need funding.

Considerations for determining the portion of financial assistance to be given by CC-Boise will be related to the total estimated monthly personal and ministry (overhead) expenses required, as indicated on the Financial Worksheet. Each missionary receiving assistance is responsible for raising the balance of their needed support, securing their own personal insurance(s), and handling all matters pertaining to their personal affairs prior to departure. For those going out of the U.S., it is required they have a designated "administrator," and someone who has legal Power of Attorney. CC-Boise will periodically review each ministry receiving assistance and may, at its discretion, adjust or discontinue further financial support after consultation with the missionary.

It should be noted that the total estimated monthly expenses as defined above will probably not include all needed funding for all ministry expenses which may arise. Situations may occur which necessitate you and your administrator working with CC-Boise (and others) to raise additional support. Some examples of possible additional ministry expenses are:

• Outreach expenses (including those incurred from visiting short-term missions groups)
• Land/facilities purchases
• Special projects
• Special needed equipment
  

J. Agreement for Receiving Financial Assistance

Those receiving financial assistance from CC-Boise agree to the following terms:

• I will conduct the work of the ministry (along with my personal affairs) in a manner consistent with Scriptural principles and admonitions.
• I will provide financial and ministry accountability as requested by the CC-Boise Elders and/or Missions Board.
• I will report monthly to CC-Boise, highlighting the month's main ministry activities, including prayer requests and praise reports.
• I will maintain communication with supporters via mail or E-mail at least once per month. (This is in addition to the monthly report to CC-Boise.)
• I will report all personal income from CC-Boise to the required tax authorities.
  

K. Routing of Funds

Generally speaking, CC-Boise encourages establishing an affiliated "ministry" or relief organization (recognized by foreign and U.S. authorities as required) to which lump sums may be given each month (from CC-Boise) for local distribution to meet the various expenses of the overall ministry. When set up this way, all approved ministry operating expenses may be paid directly out of the ministry account, and individual workers will receive a modest monthly "cash allowance" to cover their personal expenses. Each ministry is required to give a full monthly accounting of how funds are disbursed, and only the "cash allowance" given directly to a missionary will be reported at year’s end on IRS Form-1099.

The exception to this is when for one reason or another, the ministry or relief organization has not yet been established but money still needs to be transferred from Boise to the approved outreach. In such cases, funding may be deposited directly into personal accounts. It should be noted, however, that each person receiving funding this way incurs total tax liability for all deposited amounts unless they specifically turn in monthly expense reports for legitimate ministry expenses. All approved ministry expenses that are verified with monthly expense reports and accompanying receipts will be deducted from your reported tax liability. (Note: It is suggested that monthly reporting be done via E-mail, and receipts can be submitted once at the year end.) Make sure you use current verifiable exchange rates and convert all reports to U.S. dollars.

L. Requests for Non-budgeted Missions Expenses

While CC-Boise encourages faith and vision, missionaries need to be cautious about committing to projects and endeavors for which adequate funding is not yet in place. As Pastor Chuck Smith says, "God provides where God Guides." As you pray and share about your sense of God’s leading, make sure the Pastor, Elders, and Missions Board are up to speed and like-minded before you assume CC-Boise is going participate in greater measure than what has already been committed. It is up to each missionary to adequately and effectively communicate the need, vision, and implementation aspects of what you want to do, and not just proceed presumptuously.

M. Guidelines for Tax-Deductible Giving to Missions

Undesignated contributions made to CC-Boise on behalf of "Missions" go into a general missions account for distribution according to what the Pastor, Elders, and Missions Board prayerfully deem are the highest priorities at the time.

"Designated contributions" are directed toward the specific ministry(s) and/or project(s) identified as far as they are compatible with existing tax laws and the approved budgets and policies of CC-Boise and the Missions Board. When desiring to support an individual missionary, indigenous worker, student, or orphan, is important to understand that your total gift may not be immediately routed directly to that individual. Your contribution goes into a "pool" of resources necessary for the overall functioning of the ministry you’ve identified as desiring to support. Out of that "pool," the money is then metered out according to approved budgets.

IMPORTANT: To ensure that your direct contribution is properly applied, please write your check to the identified (approved) ministry which is responsible for funding the person you are desiring to support, and then attach a note or coupon to your donation. This helps us identify and track the adequacy of a support base for that individual. (Any additional contributions to individuals you wish to make which do not conform to the above guidelines should be given as non-tax-deductible "gifts" directly to those individuals, and not through CC-Boise.)

As certain needs arise, donors may be made aware of special projects or emergency situations which call for immediate financial support. When responding, be sure to also attach a note directing your funds toward the identified need.

CC-Boise maintains a policy of full disclosure on all matters related to financial giving. A current financial statement is available to Missions donors upon request.

N. Stateside Support Teams Involvement

CC-Boise encourages every believer to prayerfully consider their personal responsibility for the cause of world missions and evangelism. Some may be able to do only a little, while others may shoulder a lot of responsibility, depending on their life circumstances and "calling" at the time. The only criteria for involvement is love for God and your fellow man, and a commitment to follow through with whatever you agree to do. With love as our motive and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can all work together to see God's will "done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Listed below are some examples of how you can be involved:

• Participate in local missions Prayer Groups
• "Adopt a missionary" for personal prayer and support
• Encourage those in the field through personal correspondence
• Be a "Personal Administrator" for a missionary
• Work to raise awareness and broaden financial support
• Volunteer time in the Missions Office
• Assist with Bulletin Boards and/or Newsletters
• Sponsor an indigenous pastor, Bible student, orphan, or other worker

O. Reports and Forms for Missionaries (available at calvarychapelboise.org)

MISSIONS APPLICATION (both for short- and long-term missions) must be filled out and submitted for consideration and approval.

MISSIONS FINANCIAL WORKSHEET is required for those going on an intermediate to long-term mission. This helps the missions board assess your needs and evaluate what amount of financial assistance may be required.

SUPPORT TEAM INFORMATION This worksheet gives CC-Boise information on who is handling your personal affairs here at home, as well as who is supporting you in finances and prayer during your time in the "field." This information should be updated annually or as changes warrant.

(PERSONAL) MISSIONARY’S MONTHLY EXPENSE REPORT This report must be filled out monthly by those missionaries having money deposited into their personal bank accounts, who wish to avoid tax liability for all legitimate, approved ministry expenditures.

MISSIONS RECORDS UPDATE FORM is required to be filled out at least once annually or as changes occur.

P. Required Reporting

All intermediate and long-term missionaries (in conjunction with their personal administrator) should maintain direct contact with all their prayer and financial supporters (including CC-Boise) at least once per month. Such contact may be transferred via mail or email, and should be of sufficient detail to give a general overview of the month’s main activities—including prayer requests and praise reports.

Additionally, the overall ministry should supply CC-Boise with an "article" and presentation photos (as periodically requested), so as to enable us to feature the ministry in newsletters, the church magazine, or the Sunday Missions Minute presentation. Good two-way communication greatly enhances the effectiveness of your support base here at home, plus encourages you in your work while in the field.

Monthly financial accountability and reporting is required for all funds received from CC-Boise. Individual reporting for money deposited into personal accounts may be accomplished on-line by completing the Missionary’s Monthly Expense Report (see above). Money deposited into a "ministry account" should be reported in a manner consistent with general accounting principles, and should be tailored to fit the functioning expenses of that ministry. (Reports generated by Qwik-Books, and transferred via email are recommended.) Annual reports for the overall ministry are also required at the year's end. These reports help us evaluate, plan, and budget for the future, as well as provide accountability for donors.