The support policy of the Missions Commission is basically a personalized support principle. The missionary's support will be channeled through approved missions boards and agencies:
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Whose doctrinal statements agree with that of VBC.
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Whose financial policies are open and clearly stated.
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Whose principles and policies are clearly defined.
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Whose administration shows good sound management.
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Who adhere to the ECFA Standards of Responsible Stewardship or an equivalent.
Support will be committed for a specific amount of time, at the end of which the support will be reevaluated.
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For missionaries, agencies, and organizations, support will be evaluated on a yearly basis prior to the formation of the missions budget.
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It is the intention of VBC that this support will continue throughout the term of service.
Support of missionaries will be determined on an individual basis, not by denominational or association affiliation. VBC is associated with CBA and shows extra consideration toward CBI/MTA missionaries.
Commitment priorities will be determined by the number of criteria for support that are met. It is VBC's goal to give top priority of support to those who have the most direct impact on unreached people groups.
The support of the missionary, organization, or agency will be determined by the following criteria. The more criteria met, the higher the priority for support.
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Direct impact on an unreached people group.(e.g. Bible translator, doctor, computer tech, pilot etc.)
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Affiliation with CB mission agencies.
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Cross-cultural evangelism or intracultural evangelism to reach an unreached people group.
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Those equipping and training others for Christian service.
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Membership at VBC for at least one year.
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Those reaching our adopted people group of Gujarat, India.
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Overseas support of front line missionaries (nationals or expatriates).
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Administrative work for a missions organization or agency in the U.S. or any other sending country.
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Enabling assistance and project development (i.e. Give a man a fish and feed him for day, teach him to fish and feed him for lifetime.).
The level of financial support committed to missionaries will be determined by the number of "Criteria for Long Term Support" which they meet. The more criteria they meet, the greater financial support they are qualified to receive (i.e. meeting one qualifies them for up to 8.33%; meeting all criteria qualifies up to 75% of financial support). The most financial support allowable is 75% of their total financial support package. (This does not guarantee any amount of funds). This will enable missionaries to spend a proportionate amount of home assignment time at VBC to the percentage of support we commit.
The start date of financial support may vary. Setting the start date will be the Missions Commission's prerogative based on the candidate's individual circumstances.
We base support on the monthly financial needs of the missionary as determined by the partner agency or organization, not on marital status or size of family.
VBC considers insurance to be the responsibility of the missionary and their sending agency or organization.
VBC considers education to be the responsibility of the missionary.
For Missionaries lacking support, VBC will consider needs on an as-needed basis, taking into consideration the amount of funds available.
When Support Ends
Support will not end while the missionary is on the mission field.
Termination or decrease of support in order to reach a better balance for the total strategy of VBC missions giving will be determined by the "Criteria for Long Term Support." Such action will be done only while missionary is on home assignment and with one year notice whenever possible.
- Support ends with failure to maintain the standards used to originally qualify for support.
- Support ends with failure to correspond with the Missions Commission at least once every six months.
- Any change in assignment or affiliation requires re-evaluation of support.
Retirement is the responsibility of the missionary and their sending agency or organization.
