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Here is a checklist:
A
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OF GOD
The purpose of being a missionary is to share the good news that Jesus
Christ has made it possible to know forgiveness and freedom from sin.
In order to share this news honestly, you must have asked God to forgive
you and set you free from the power and habits of sin, and be living
to please Him.
MOTIVE
Why do you want to serve the Lord? Do you want to get away from the violence
or a bad situation? (You could be going into a worse situation!) Are
you simply looking for adventure and new experiences? (Join an adventure
club, then.) Are you simply job hunting? (SIM is not an employment
agency.) Do you want a better salary? (In SIM, missionaries have to
raise their own finances to SIM’s required level.) Your first desire
should be to do God’s will because you love Him above all else.
COMMITMENT
Christian service can be demanding, whether in South Africa or overseas.
The loneliness, difficult cross-cultural adjustments, financial limitations
and other frustrations that may come your way, require genuine commitment
- a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ combined with
a daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES
An ever-growing, solid understanding of God’s written Word is essential
to the development of a healthy Christian life and to be able to stand
when difficulties and temptations arise. Are you able to apply the
Scriptures now in your daily life?
Although some, because of the nature of their work, will require a greater
aptitude and training in the Bible than others, everyone who joins
the SIM family must demonstrate a working understanding of the principle
truths it teaches. This includes how to apply relevant Scriptures
to issues that one comes across in the foreign country.
SKILLS
Although there are some exceptions, most governments
demand evidence of a specific skill from those wanting to live in their countries.
Diplomas and university degrees usually offer an advantage, but are not always
essential.
COMPATIBILITY
Serving Christ, particularly in a foreign role,
involves building relationships with other people. This begins with
co-workers, who often live, work and worship in close proximity. The
ability to accept and love each other despite different personalities,
training and cultural background carries over to the building of good
relationships with people of the community, including believers and
the church leadership.
DILIGENCE
You must be able to work on your own, accept responsibility
for what you do, take initiative when required and stay with a job
until it is done.
FLEXIBILITY
Living in another culture demands flexibility.
Are you able to accept change? Can you adapt to doing things differently
and cope with limitations - without becoming frustrated? On the other
hand, can you cope with change without compromising God’s standards?
GOOD HEALTH
Modern medicine has decreased the physical hazards of living in a foreign
country, but stamina and good health are still prime assets, especially
in tropical and monsoon climates.
ATTITUDE
Are you a learner? An open-minded attitude is essential if you are to fit
into a different culture, learn another language and work with others
as a member of a team.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE
Are you praying for the lost who
are on their way to hell? Do you know how to lead someone to Christ?
Do you know how to help a new Christian grow in the Lord? These things
will not automatically ‘happen’ when you leave your home country.
You must be about the Lord’s harvest before you go. Are you already
praying for a missionary?
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Are you an active member of an evangelical church? SIM requires that you
are, and that you are known by the church leadership and by as many
of the members as possible. The local church is the body who commends
you to missionary service and who will stand with you through thick
and thin. On the foreign field, missionaries must know how to submit
themselves to being part of the local body of believers.
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