Appendix Seven to the Discipline of the Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S.A.

APPENDIX SEVEN OF THE DISCIPLINE International Mission Board (Principles and Practices)
SECTION I - ORGANIZATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD A. The Annual Conference shall elect an International Mission Board consisting of no less than twelve (12) members; one layperson, and one pastor for each District. 1. The superintendent of Women’s Christian Ministries shall be a member of the board. 2. IMB members shall be elected on a bi-annual basis, with one-third of the IMB members retiring every two (2) years. A single term shall run six (6) years. A board member may serve two (2) six-year terms in succession. 3. Any vacancies caused by death or resignation shall be filled by appointment of the president of IMB until the next Annual Conference. a. Such vacancy shall, with the advice of IMB, be filled by the Nominating Committee at the Annual Conference. b. A partial term shall not be included as a limitation of term service. 4. When an IMB member leaves a church or a district at any time during the year, he shall be required to resign from IMB. The president of IMB, in consultation with the Executive Committee of IMB, shall have the power to appoint another person to fill the vacancy until the following Annual Conference, at which time item I.A.3 will be enacted. If the vacancy occurs at the end of the Conference year, the Nominating Committee, with IMB advisement, will recommend to the Annual Conference the name of a suitable candidate to fill the unexpired term caused by the resignation. 5. The President of the Annual Conference is an ex-officio member with voice and vote; the Executive Director is a member with voice and vote. 6. A lifetime member will have voice only. 7. Any IMB member who has a relative serving as a missionary shall be excused from discussion concerning his/her relative. B. Board Meetings. The IMB shall meet at least twice a year in a place designated by IMB, or by the Executive Committee of IMB. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the IMB President, General Director, Assistant General Director, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer. Additional meetings shall be called by the Executive Committee. C. IMB Authority. The IMB shall have the supervision of all International mission work determined by the Annual Conference; the selection, employment, and compensation of missionaries; the raising of funds; publication of literature; the acquisition, purchase or receipt by gift or bequest of real estate or personal property; to hold, sell, or dispose of property; the promotion of IMB interests both within and without the denomination. Any local Primitive Methodist church may raise the total support and send out a missionary on a short-term basis (2 years) without IMB approval, providing that the candidate meets the IMB requirements for short-term missionaries. The IMB will not purchase property in a country outside the U.S.A. D. New Work. The IMB shall explore the possibilities of opening new work, or assuming control of established work, or recommending missionaries to other boards. Approval for these procedures must be given by the Annual Conference or by the General Committee. E. Officers 1. General Director The General Director shall be elected annually from within IMB membership. a. His election must be confirmed by vote of the Annual Conference yearly. b. The office of General Director may be either a full-time or a part-time position, governed by IMB’s needs, financial status, and the availability of a qualified person. c. Duties of General Director. 1) Field-related: a) Take action appropriate to administer policies and directives of IMB. b) Recommend policy to IMB. c) Carry out special assignments of IMB. d) Keep missionaries informed of all IMB policies and directives either personally or through appointed representatives. e) Meet with outgoing and incoming missionaries for orientation, information and debriefing. f) Meet with missionaries in their fields of ministry as often as possible, offering counsel and encouragement as needed. g) Keep IMB informed, as much as possible, of current status of each missionary. h) Arrange for transfer or termination of missionaries, as directed by IMB. 2) Board-related: a) Compile semi-annual booklets for IMB members, which include agenda, field reports and Executive Committee members’ reports. b) Represent IMB to other mission and denominational agencies. c) Report to IMB regarding office-related activities. d) Promote the work of IMB throughout the denomination, and to other entities as opportunity permits. e) Process all applicants for IMB endorsement. f) Coordinate itineraries for furloughing missionaries in cooperation with the Executive Director, district superintendents and/or other missions. g) Handle IMB correspondence. h) Keep up-to-date regarding all IMB assets, investments, and liabilities. i) Forward all funds received for IMB to IMB treasurer. j) Receive an honorarium or remuneration as designated by IMB. k) Shall be bonded if he receives and disburses funds. l) Call IMB Executive Committee meetings at his discretion. m) Poll the IMB members between sessions for urgent decisions. 2. The President a. The President shall be elected annually from among the IMB members. b. His election shall be confirmed yearly by vote of the Annual Conference. c. Duties of the President: 1) Preside at the semi-annual sessions of IMB. 2) Be available to advise the General Director in the supervision of IMB’s missions program. 3) Call IMB Executive Committee meetings at his discretion. 4) Appoint suitable candidates to the IMB to fill vacancies occurring during the year. 5) Appoint committees from among the members of IMB. 6) Appoint recording secretary for a period of one year. 3. The Treasurer a. The Treasurer shall be elected annually by the IMB and attend all board meetings. b. The election must be confirmed yearly by vote of Annual Conference. c. Duties of Treasurer: 1) Receive and disburse all IMB funds. 2) Keep a complete, accurate, and current record of all funds received and disbursed. 3) Report current financial status monthly to IMB’s Executive Committee. 4) Submit complete financial report to IMB members semi-annually. 5) Reimburse IMB members for expenses incurred for IMB business. 6) Confer with General Director as necessary regarding any payment of funds which may be in question. 7) Receive an honorarium or remuneration as designated by IMB. 8) Shall be bonded, as per Annual Conference requirements. 9) Provide an annual auditor’s report to IMB. 4. Assistant General Director a. The Assistant General Director shall be elected annually by the IMB from among its members. b. His election shall be confirmed yearly by Annual Conference. c. He has voice and vote, as an IMB member, and is a member of the Executive Committee. d. He shall receive an honorarium or remuneration as designated by IMB. e. Duties 1) He assists the General Director: a) on call for requests for assistance and/or counsel; b) IMB representation at speaking engagements, conference, and missionary meetings; c) communication with all missionaries throughout the year, reporting information to General Director; d) provides statistical reports and studies when requested; e) develops public relations material for IMB. 2) He is responsible for Assets Program: a) receives interest and dividends from assets, reapplying them to the program; b) keeps IMB informed of the program bi-annually or as requested; c) shall be bonded if he receives and disburses Asset Program monies. SECTION II - CAREER MISSIONARY CANDIDATES A. Candidates for career service must be members of a Primitive Methodist church prior to making application. Exceptions to this rule will be considered by IMB. Candidates must have written recommendation from their quarterly conference and their district conference. All student minister candidates must have written recommendation from the School of Theology. B. All career candidates shall be subject to the Discipline. Additional requirements: 1. Language (aptitude exam); 2. Cross-cultural adaptability; 3. Evidence of God’s call to missions (including wife); 4. Testing by Christian psychologist; 5. Completion of application (including a physical exam report for each family member); 6. Personal interview with IMB representative; 7. Acceptance by IMB in regular session; 8. Approval by Annual Conference or General Committee. C. Male candidates shall be ordained ministers or student ministers enrolled in the School of Theology. Exceptions will be considered by IMB on an individual basis. D. Each career candidate must sign a statement of agreement with the Principles and Practices of IMB. In the event of any changes in the Principles and Practices of IMB, the missionary will be given the opportunity to review them. If no agreement can be reached, the missionary will be asked to resign from IMB. E. Applications on file for more than two (2) years must be renewed. F. All career missionaries shall raise their own support. The amount per month shall be agreed upon by the candidate and IMB, and will include salary, car expenses, housing, furloughs, children’s education, insurances, Social Security, pensions, shipping, travel, medical exams, etc. Prior to departure for field, 100% of monthly support must be pledged. G. Career missionaries must be at least 21 years of age, and not more than 50. Exceptions to the above will be considered by IMB. H. Each candidate shall be commissioned by IMB and Annual Conference officers and/or representatives, and given a credential signed by the president of Conference and the General Director of IMB. I. All pre-employment and application costs shall be borne by the candidate. J. No one who has been divorced will be considered for career missionary service. K. Ministry of career missionary 1. Location and ministry of each missionary shall be under the direction of the IMB, in cooperation with the national church of the host country, and/or the sending mission agency. 2. Missionaries shall commit themselves to the following objectives: a. Evangelism. He shall do the work of an apostle (I Cor. 9:19-22); b. Discipleship (Church Planting). He shall teach the Word, and establish believers in the Word (Acts 14:21-23; II Tim. 2:2); c. Accountability. 1) He shall become a member of a local evangelical church in his host country. This includes, but is not limited to, subjection to eldership, supporting church financially, participation in service opportunities, regular attendance. 2) He shall be subject to the national conference and its officers in the host country. 3) He is accountable to communicate regularly with supporters, and to present his work to them during furloughs. 4) He shall report to the IMB semi-annually, detailing progress of work assigned to him. 5) Upon arrival for furlough, and also prior to departure for host country at conclusion of furlough, the missionary shall meet with the General Director for evaluation and debriefing. 6) When the General Director visits the missionary’s host country, the missionary shall meet privately with him for evaluation and information. 3. Furloughs and Vacations a. Furloughs 1) The national church of the host country and/or sending agency shall authorize furloughs, including frequency and duration, and shall communicate same to IMB. 2) In the absence of a national church body, the missionary’s sending agency shall authorize furloughs, including frequency and duration, and shall communicate same to IMB. 3) Half of each furlough is personal time; the other half shall be devoted to reporting to supporting churches and groups, and to raising support for approved personal and project needs. 4) IMB’s suggested furlough schedule is as follows: a) After 2 years, 3 months of furlough. b) After 3 years, 6 months of furlough. c) After 4 years, 9 months of furlough. d) After 5 years, 12 months of furlough. 5) Itineraries shall be worked out among district superintendents and the General Director, with the missionary. a) As a matter of courtesy, career missionaries serving under boards other than IMB, but receiving support through IMB, should submit their entire itinerary to the General Director upon confirmation. b) The missionary shall observe rules of common courtesy with U.S. hosts, which include notification in advance of date and time of arrival, meals and lodging requested, etc. 6) Physical exams during furlough will be the responsibility of the missionary, through his medical insurance plan. b. Vacations Each missionary is entitled to four weeks of vacation per year, not including furlough year. 1) Two vacations may not be concatenated, nor carried over from one year to the next. 2) Vacation may not be annexed to furlough. 3) Vacations must be authorized, in advance, by the national church. In the absence of a national church, the sending agency will authorize vacations. L. Leaves of Absence A missionary may apply for a leave of absence at any time after completion of the first term of service on the field (4 years). Guidelines: 1. Authorization is given by the national church, in cooperation with IMB. In the absence of a national church, the sending agency provides authorization, in cooperation with IMB. 2. A leave of absence shall not extend beyond two (2) years. 3. Financial support for a leave of absence is at the discretion of the contributors, who must be fully informed in advance of such a decision. Contributors must be asked if they wish to continue sending support during the missionary’s leave of absence. 4. The IMB’s policy is that a missionary receive no remuneration while on a leave of absence (study, training, personal, etc.). M. Retirement 1. At age 65 a missionary’s work shall be evaluated by the Executive Committee of IMB in cooperation with the national church, and a recommendation submitted to IMB concerning the continuance of the missionary’s ministry in the host country. This evaluation shall be repeated every five (5) years after age 65, or in conjunction with the host country national conference. 2. At age 62 or any time thereafter, a missionary may request retirement from active field ministry. Details of retirement will be on an individual basis, coordinated with the national church, the missionary, and IMB. Salary and benefits will be adjusted according to the requirements of Social Security. N. Resignation The missionary shall advise, in writing, the national church, his sending agency(ies), his supporters, and the IMB of his intentions to resign with a minimum of 3 months’ notice. Exceptions (i.e. catastrophic illness, emergencies, etc.) will be considered on an individual basis by IMB. O. Dismissal 1. No missionary shall be dismissed without three (3) months’ notice, in writing, from the General Director. The IMB has the prerogative, however, to dismiss any missionary for cause at any time. 2. Causes for dismissal: a. Conduct unbecoming to a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. b. Refusal to comply with the Principles and Practices of IMB and/or the Discipline. c. Lack of submission to the chain of command, as outlined above. d. Persistence in a romantic relationship with anyone who could not qualify for missionary status. e. Marriage with any person who is not a missionary. P. Complaints and Appeals 1. The IMB endorses the steps of reconciliation as outlined in Matthew 5 and 18. 2. If reconciliation has not been achieved upon completion of these steps, a written complaint may be sent to the General Director. The recommendation of the General Director, with IMB approval, shall be considered final. 3. Any appeals will be considered on an individual basis when submitted in writing to the General Director. Response to an appeal shall be made no later than 2 weeks after the semi-annual IMB meeting. Q. Miscellaneous Information 1. Property Ownership IMB discourages the ownership of real estate in a host country by any missionary. 2. Employment No missionary or family member shall engage in gainful employment while serving in a host country. The exception to this rule is “tent making” missionary service. 3. Undesignated Funds Any undesignated funds received for a missionary’s account shall be applied toward his support quota. Offerings received on furlough shall be forwarded to the IMB Treasurer. The exception to this rule is any personal gift so designated by an individual supporter or church. 4. Unauthorized Purchases Any purchase made by a missionary is his own responsibility. The IMB will not pay for missionary acquisitions that do not have prior written authorization from the General Director. SECTION III - PRIMITIVE METHODIST SERVING UNDER OTHER MISSION BOARDS A. A copy of the application sent to the other mission agency shall be supplied to IMB at the same time. An IMB application could be substituted. B. A copy of the Statement of Faith or doctrines of the other mission agency will be reviewed by IMB, supplied by the missionary applicant. If compatible, IMB will grant approval for fundraising within the denomination. C. The candidate shall present to IMB a copy of the budgeted expenses and fundraising methods of the mission agency. D. While visiting Primitive Methodist churches, IMB fundraising sharecards will be provided by IMB, and used by the missionary candidate. E. All shareholders and pledges shall be carefully documented, and a complete listing provided for both IMB Treasurer and missionary. F. All funds from Primitive Methodist shareholders and churches designated for the missionary candidate shall be forwarded promptly, on a monthly basis, to the respective mission agency. IMB will not withold an administrative fee or service charge, but will forward 100% of designated funds. G. A missionary receiving 25% or more of his total support from Primitive Methodist sources shall submit a semi-annual report to IMB. H. Any funds designated as personal gifts or for a specific project shall be forwarded on a monthly basis to the mission agency with the giver’s specifications. I. Each missionary with another mission agency shall be responsible to include an equitable amount of time during furlough to visit Primitive Methodist churches and supporters. The time given on furlough to P. M. sources shall equal the percentage of compensation received. Example: If 50% of the missionary’s support comes from P. M. sources 50% of the itinerary time will be spent visiting P M. churches. J. The missionary’s itinerary in Primitive Methodist churches will be arranged among the General Director of IMB, the missionary, and the district superintendents. K. References shall be supplied IMB by the Primitive Methodist church and the district of which the missionary candidate is a member. L. In some cases, it may be advisable/necessary to enter into a contractual agreement with the other mission board of sending agency in order to clarify each other’s responsibility.

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