This book is serving the purpose of bringing focus to short-term ministry or missions (STM) in our conference. We will use STM to refer to the short-term mission work in our churches so that it doesn’t get confused with the mission of the church and mission statement. We have seen that the local church is sent by God to go and make disciples of all nations. As part of a larger vision and strategy for missions, STM projects serve as a bridge that allows for long-term ministry support by the local church. We desire to see our churches, our cities and nation, and the whole of the world transformed by the power of Jesus and for the glory of His name.

It is our desire that this document would serve to support our local churches in developing STM’s that have a long-term focus. By supporting STM from the conference level, we feel that we can learn from and be more responsive to the things that are learned across many churches. The resources that we develop and the process that we go through can be shared and individualized for our churches.

This initiative is undertaken with much prayer and preparation and is considered a living document that will continue to take shape and grow with us. Our churches will continue to shape and inform this process. The groundwork for this document was brought together by a team from Converge Great Lakes churches from across the conference. They helped to gather information from churches and agencies to give us a start with an understanding that we don’t need to recreate the wheel.

The document focuses on 3 main areas:

·     Vision for Churches and Leadership

·     Individual and Team Development

·     Administrative and Logistical Issues

This book is meant to be a guide and a starting point for churches as they enter into conversation on the purposes that God is calling them to. The worksheets that are included will help to process these things together. Worksheets can be copied and distributed within your church for the purpose of this development.

Purchase a print copy ($15) or a digital copy ($10).  Follow the links below for online purchase or request a copy for $15 from the district offices.

Paper Copy

Digital Copy