The Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches of the Christian and Missionary Alliance mandates that every Alliance church

“shall participate in the worldwide missions and church planting ministries of The Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the support of the Great Commission Fund. The Governance Authority shall specify the means by which it purposes to mobilize members’ involvement, including prayer, recruitment of men and women for vocational ministry both at home and abroad. A Missions Conference or congregation-wide event for missions mobilization shall be held each year.”

For most Alliance churches, fulfillment of this mandate is not just an obligation, but also their heart’s desire. The following information is provided to help to fulfill the annual “missions conference or congregation-wide event for missions mobilization” part of the mandate. The rest of the mandate takes place all year long and is equally, perhaps even more, important. We strongly encourage churches to have more than one missions emphasis event annually and to find other means of keeping the congregation aware of and participating in missions throughout the year.

Missions engagement events not only provide us with reports of what God is accomplishing through Alliance workers and clarification of their strategies and methods, but also inspiration to become a new international worker or to become involved in partnering with existing deployed IWs.

 Booking IWs to Speak at Your Missions Event

The Central District maintains an online calendar listing the IWs who are on home assignment in (or near) our district. This calendar also lists the dates these workers are available to speak. Each May, pastors and missions team leaders will receive an email with a link to this calendar and an invitation to book one IW for one three-day weekend. (When an IW is available, coordination of a longer engagement is encouraged.) If dates remain available on the calendar after all district churches have selected one speaker, you will be invited to book additional IWs. Churches are encouraged to engage IWs more than once a year when possible.

Churches are encouraged to select speakers from the list provided through the online calendar. However, if your church has an ongoing partnership with an IW who is not listed on the district calendar, you are welcome to book that worker for your annual missions event at your own expense.

The district missions mobilizers are responsible for documenting and reporting on missions events held in our district. As such, it is important that you inform the district missions mobilizers of any missions events (IW name and event dates) not booked through the district online calendar.

Evaluating Missions Events

Each church is to have a designated person (typically the pastor or missions team leader) complete a survey that assesses the effectiveness of the IW(s) who speak at their church. Your input is valuable because it encourages IWs when they do an exceptional job and allows them to hone their skills where there is room for improvement. A link to the survey is sent out from the national office.

In addition, each IW is asked to fill out an evaluation form for the church to help you make the most of your missions engagement event. This evaluation is available to you in advance as a checklist of elements to consider as you make preparations for your missions event. The district missions mobilizer will inform you of the IW’s evaluation.

Missions Event Theme & Resources

https://cmalliance.org/resources/

 Each year the national office provides a missions theme to unify our focus. Resources are produced to go along with the theme such as posters, DVDs or videos available online, bulletin inserts, faith promise cards, etc. Each Alliance church will receive a package of these materials by mail to support your local missions engagement event(s). In addition, church missions leaders can usually access information about the theme and some resources via your “MyCMA” account (see below) well before the physical resources arrive. This can greatly assist your missions team in preparing for your missions engagement event(s).

Resources for Missions Team Leaders

MyCMA: www.CMAlliance.org/sign-in

As your church’s official missions point person (designated in your church’s annual report to the national office), you have access to a wealth of missions resources via your “MyCMA” account at www.CMAlliance.org. This includes information about the current year’s missions engagement theme, as well as links to other resources that are designed to help your church become increasingly engaged in Alliance missions. Contact the district missions mobilizers if you need help setting up or accessing your account.

District Resources:

Bob and Dian Harner // [email protected]

www.cdcma.org/missions/handbook

In addition, the following resources are available here without needing a “MyCMA” account.

In addition, these brochures are available for download on the district website (www.cdcma.org/missions/resource) without needing a “MyCMA” account.

  • Global Link Partnerships—Partnerships and Engagement

  • The New Face of Alliance Missions

  • IW PowerPoint presentations for missions minutes, etc.

  • Online printable version of this handbook

  • Missions Engagement Assessment Tool