This is an article from the August-September 1983 issue: Looks At What God’s Doing

Supporting Missions in an Age of Change

1983 ACMC National Conference

Supporting Missions in an Age of Change

How can churches continue to support missionaries when the average cost is $30,000 40,000 for a family of four?

How does a church start a missions committee?

What are some alternative methods for fielding and funding missionaries?

What percentage of a church's budget goes to missions?

What role does prayer have in our support of missions?

These were the kinds of practical questions considered at the annual national conference sponsored by the Association of Church Missions Committees (ACMC) July 21 24 in Wheaton, Illinois. During these three days, pastors, missions committee members, mission agency representatives and others compared notes on how to help local congregations fulfill their responsibilities In world evangelization. Almost 700 people came to Wheaton College from over 216 churches and almost 100 mission agencies.

ACMC plans Its annual conferences around a five year rotation of five emphases: Leadership, Strategy, Stimulation, Sending, and Support. This year's focus on support, illustrated by the theme "Supporting World Missions in an Age of Change," was considers from many different angles. The scriptural basis for missions was reexamined to help delegates to discern God's perspective on missions support. In addition, plenary speaker, and workshop leader, explored other facets of this issue.The U.S. Center for World Mission was represented by people from the central staff as well as by staff from a number of member organizations and cooperating agencies. Programs and materials produced by UCSWM affiliates were repeatedly promoted among conference delegates. Overseas Counseling Service gave one copy of their "Global Opportunities" bulletin to each church or group represented. This bulletin included not only the usual listing of overseas jobs by occupation but also a listing of jobs by country. World Christian, Inc. offered a copy of the latest Issue of their magazine, World Christian, to each person at the conference.

Frontier Fellowship National Coordinator Len Bartlotti led a workshop on how to be a World Christian. During the plenary session Len also shared about the Frontier Fellowship. Each person was given a copy of the August edition of the Daily Prayer Guide as well as a copy of the new Frontier Fellowship church bulletin insert, "FrontierScan" (see logs. t9 2o). Conference participants also received a copy of a new brochure describing the ministry of the Frontier Fellowship.

The U.S. Center for World Mission central staff promoted the new "I'll Touch Ten" campaign (see pgs. 6-9). Staff also responded to numerous private questions about the Center's ministry prompted by frequent public declarations of the Center's Impact. During one of the main sessions, one speaker said that frontier missions was becoming a focus of many churches and mission agencies because "Dr. Ralph Winter and U.S. Center for World Mission have been yelling loud enough and long enough that some of us are beginning to listen."

Certainly this conference was a superb time for all! Next year's ACMC conference, Discipilng the Nations: What Strategies for the Local Church?" will actually be two conferences, held at two locations on two different occasions for the traveling convenience of participants. Plenary speakers will be the same for the two conferences. The first conference will be held on the west coast. July 12 IS, at the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, California. The second will be two weeks later, July 26 29, on the east coast, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Speakers Include Dave Bryant, Don Richardson, George Verwer. Theodore Williams and Mary Lou Wilson.

Why not plan ahead to be sure someone from your church attends the conference next year?

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