Mission Administrative Policies

Affiliations

FLBM is an independent Baptist mission serving independent Baptist churches. All missionaries and candidates are sent out of fundamental Baptist churches.

Financial Policies

Integrity - FLBM will be strictly honest in all financial dealings. We value our testimony before the world and we will cooperate with all donors and recipients as they deal uprightly. Wyldewood Baptist Church has a policy of cooperating with all law enforcement agencies and our books are open for inspection at any time. Names of donors are confidential. There will be an independent annual review of the finances of FLBM.
Protection of Assets - As a ministry of Wyldewood Baptist Church, the church may vote to give money to FLBM to assist the mission for various purposes. (Other donors are appreciated and needed.) At no time may any of the assets given to FLBM be utilized for anything other than their designated use. Furthermore, none of the monies given to (or through) FLBM can be used for the church's general fund. A separate chart of accounts will be maintained at all times. If at any time FLBM ceases to exist, undesignated assets must be distributed to another mission organization, giving preference to those mission organizations based at Wyldewood Baptist Church.
Indebtedness - It is the policy of FLBM to operate on a cash basis and at no time may FLBM incur debt nor encumber the church without the vote of the church at a specially-called business meeting in accordance with the church constitution.
Operating Expenses of the Mission - FLBM is dependent on gifts and contributions of churches and individuals for much of its operating budget. Every attempt will be made by FLBM to reduce the costs to the missionary. Missionaries served by FLBM are ultimately expected to bear the direct costs of servicing their needs. These include, but are not limited to: bank fees, letterhead, envelopes, postage, prayer cards, presentations, brochures and secretarial costs. Those costs will be deducted from the monthly support received by the missionary. A maximum monthly amount will be established in cooperation with the missionary and his sending church.
Other Decisions Affecting the Missionary - Any decisions regarding a missionary and his finances will always include the missionary, his sending church and the executive board of FLBM. This could involve matters of return trips home, purchasing property on the field, etc. If at any time FLBM cannot reach an amicable agreement with all parties involved, we reserve the right to terminate our relationship with the missionary in accordance with our termination policy. Every reasonable effort will be made to resolve the issues before this step is taken.

Compensation for Board Members, Employees, & Services

In order to keep overhead to a minimum, FLBM utilizes volunteer help. Board members are not paid for their regular service. If they are commissioned with a task requiring an inordinate amount of time or expense, they can be compensated for their work and reimbursed for their expenses. (For IRS purposes, they will not be considered employees, but independent consultants.) When the volume of work involved in operating the mission is sufficient to require paid workers, the Executive Board is authorized to contract with personnel on a fee-for-service basis to complete that work. In the event that the workload requires employing staff on a regular basis, those workers will become employees of Wyldewood Baptist Church and subject to all requirements and benefits attendant to that relationship. The pastor must approve of the employee and any salary must be approved by the executive board and by the church.

Business Meetings

Meetings for the purpose of conducting business will be held at least once each year in January. The executive director can call meetings of the board at other times (convenient to the board members) to conduct business as necessary. Each member of the board has one vote on matters of concern and at least three members of the board must vote in favor of a proposal for it to pass. Implementation of new policies will be as soon as it is considered practical by the board. Guidelines for operating the mission will be in concert with the spirit and letter of the Constitution and By-Laws of Wyldewood Baptist Church.

Revising Policies

Wyldewood Baptist Church and First Light Baptist Mission reserve the right to revise, improve, update and change its mission policies at any time. All missionaries and their sending churches will be notified of the changes in writing. Any change in the requirements for a missionary will be phased in over a period of time in a manner that is acceptable to the mission.

POLICIES OF RESPONSIBILITY

Eligible Candidates

Church Planters - First Light Baptist Mission has an emphasis on sending missionaries to the foreign field to establish fundamental Baptist churches.
Support Personnel - Candidates who feel called of God to related ministries will also be considered by the mission. This includes home missionaries, college professors, teachers, construction workers, pilots, printers and others who desire to be sent through our agency.
Short-term Missionaries - Candidates who intend to serve on the field for at least one year can utilize the services of FLBM. This would include those who are serving as substitutes for missionaries who come home on furlough and similar situations. (Those who intend to go for less than one year are encouraged to be sent directly from their home church.)

Services to the Sending Church

Sending Church Support Services - Most local churches that send out a missionary are thrilled to have a man represent them, but frequently they are poorly equipped to deal with all of the complexities of sending a family to the mission field. First Light Baptist Mission delights in partnering with these churches to serve their missionary! Our experience, our contacts and our various support ministries are invaluable resources for the sending church and their missionary family as they prepare to go. We provide a framework of accountability and a range of services that can help any church with their missionary.
Experienced Counsel - FLBM recognizes that some missionaries (and their local churches) lack the experience and/or information to make wise decisions in some key areas. They are dependent on FLBM to give guidance in matters that are outside their expertise, and in those areas the counsel of the mission will have added emphasis. Missionaries are expected to maintain an attitude of humility and a spirit of cooperation, giving proper consideration to the practical experience of others.
Cooperative Decision Making - Decisions concerning insurance, evacuation funds, support levels, purchasing property on the field, construction of church buildings, raising funds for special projects, etc. are made jointly with the sending church, the missionary and the board of FLBM. In general, FLBM requires that each of these concerns must be addressed in a responsible manner. Every effort will be made by FLBM to allow the sending church and missionary to do as they feel the Lord is leading.

Services to the Missionary

First Light Baptist Mission is a ministry of Wyldewood Baptist Church and as such has access to the many special mission-related services offered by the church. (However, the training and support are only available as time and money permits. No missionary is GUARANTEED a certain number of Bibles for evangelism, a work team for construction in his second year on the field, or whatever. Every effort will be made to assist in these important areas)

During Preparation - Those who are just beginning their deputation are given counsel and help with prayer cards, letterhead, displays and presentations. Assistance is provided for securing insurance, setting up checking accounts, emergency evacuation funds and retirement planning. Individual guidance is also given regarding support level, survey trips and field contacts.
While on Deputation - Missionaries are encouraged and supported during this important time of preaching in churches and sharing their burden. FLBM helps with church contacts, mailings, handling of financial support, and secretarial services. We also help arrange for travel visas and shipping of the missionary's belongings.
While on the Field - First Light Baptist Mission serves the missionary by providing a "home" contact for their affairs. We help with regular bill paying, newsletter mailings and foreign money transfers. We also help with plans for language school, foreign housing, furloughs and visitor travel.
Ministry Teams - Each year, hundreds of men, women, and teens take short-term trips to help missionaries around the world through the various ministries of Wyldewood Baptist Church. The Wings As Eagles aviation ministry transports work teams with their own ten-place airplane, doing evangelistic work, village outreaches, building projects and humanitarian aid distribution. These trips are a tremendous help to the missionary, as well as to the local churches.
Bibles, Gospel Tracts, Discipleship Materials - Through our Bearing Precious Seed, Couriers For Christ and Scandinavians for Christ ministries, Scriptures and related materials are available in all of the major trade languages and many minor languages and dialects. These are shipped to the missionary at no cost as the Lord provides.
Support for Trained National Pastors - FLBM helps provide materials for Bible institute programs. When the national pastor has completed his training and he is ready to start a new indigenous work, the Omega Ministry provides financial support for the first two years. Support is handled through the training missionary.

Personal Testimony

Salvation and Call - Missionaries served by First Light Baptist Mission must complete an application (including references) and submit a letter of recommendation from the pastor of his sending church. He must give evidence of his salvation and calling, along with information about his education, ministry training and experience. He must then be interviewed and approved by the Executive Board.
Representation - Those who are sent through FLBM represent their home church, the mission and Wyldewood Baptist Church and are therefore required to uphold a pure public testimony. We place a premium on honesty and integrity. Missionaries are expected to maintain proper relationships with Wyldewood and other supporting churches.
Holiness - The missionary must have a personal walk with the Lord and a wholesome Christian testimony before the lost world. He is expected to maintain good family relationships. The guidelines given for a pastor in the Scriptures and in the church constitution are held as the ideals we strive for.
Divorced Applicants - Applications from divorced candidates will be considered on a limited basis. They will not be considered if they plan to be a pastor or church planter (1 Tim 3:1-7), but they can be considered for support roles like working in orphanages, some teaching positions, building construction, computer support, pilots, printers, etc.
Contemporary Music - First Light Baptist Mission is alerted to the dangers of much of the contemporary Christian music available today. The missionary must be conservative in his choice of music and agree to avoid contemporary Christian music in his home, his presentations and his ministry on the field.
Dress/Personal Appearance - Recognizing the importance of the testimony of our outward appearance, especially for those in leadership positions, First Light Baptist Mission has a complete personal appearance code (available upon request) detailing standards of dress and conduct. Briefly, we expect all candidates to uphold virtuous standards of modesty. Male candidates must be conservative in dress and distinctly masculine. Earrings, body piercings, etc. are not acceptable. Female candidates must portray femininity with modest skirts and dresses. Pants, shorts, gauchos, etc. are not considered acceptable. (Culottes are allowed for recreation and those in extremely cold climates are allowed to cover themselves for protection from the elements while striving to maintain a feminine appearance.) Applicants must agree to abide by the complete personal appearance policy while on deputation, in public, as well as on the foreign field.

Practical Theology

The missionary must be in full agreement with the Statement of Faith, Constitution and By-Laws and policies of Wyldewood Baptist Church. If his doctrinal position ever changes, he agrees to withdraw from the mission.
The missionary must agree to abide by and cooperate with the policies and leadership of First Light Baptist Mission. He further agrees to keep in close touch with the mission in all matters that would concern the ministry. He will work with the mission in the setting and reviewing of goals, length of deputation, etc. If at any time he finds he cannot honor these policies in letter or spirit, he agrees to withdraw from the mission.
The missionary must be a member in good standing of a fundamental Baptist church. If at any time he changes sending churches, he must re-apply to the mission for approval of that change or he agrees to withdraw from the mission.
FLBM is non-charismatic and opposes liberalism and the modern ecumenical movement. The missionary must agree to work in cooperation with other good fundamental Baptist churches here in the United States and on the foreign field. (We do not require that alliances be formed on the field, but the missionary is expected to cooperate with and support other good Baptist men.) His mission on the field is ultimately to help establish and serve fundamental Baptist churches. Missionaries may choose to fellowship with or receive some support from others that have slightly differing views (i.e. some conservative Bible Church pastors, churches and missionaries), but they agree to work only with other Baptists in establishing their work. If there is any question about a certain cooperative effort with other groups on the field, the missionary must submit complete information about that group to his sending church and to FLBM for approval.
The missionary must agree to use only the Authorized King James Bible in his ministry in English, and Scriptures derived from the Received Text (or the closest text that is available) when ministering in other languages. He must further agree to never bring the authenticity or authority of the King James Bible into question or disrepute.

Financial Commitments

For ease of administration, the missionary must establish a checking account at the same local bank used by First Light Baptist Mission in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
The missionary agrees to be honest in all financial dealings, especially with the IRS.
The missionary must report, in a format acceptable to the treasurer of FLBM, all income derived from his ministry. This must be done on a monthly basis. Every year, by January 10, he must submit to FLBM a complete financial and ministry report.
The missionary agrees to pay all reasonable fees associated with his account. He will complete all forms necessary to enable the treasurer of FLBM to efficiently accomplish the authorized transfer of funds. Every effort will be made by FLBM to minimize these costs. Any questions or disputes about these fees will be resolved with the Executive Board of FLBM, his sending church and the missionary.
FLBM will work in conjunction with a missionary and his sending church pastor to establish an acceptable level of support for his deputation goal. Any increases in support necessitated by increased costs, inflation, additional children, etc. will be incorporated as needed.
To minimize exposure to liability, the missionary must agree to maintain automobile insurance and health insurance coverage while on deputation and on the field (where it is available). FLBM will work with the missionary and his sending church to help secure these policies.
The missionary must make arrangements for his personal mail to be handled by someone outside of FLBM. Bill paying, money transfers, etc. must be done on-line or taken care of by the missionary's authorized agent. The mission agrees to assist by handling his financial support and helping with church correspondence and newsletter mailings.
The missionary and his wife must complete a Last Will and Testament and arrange for someone to have power of attorney to care for their affairs before they leave for the foreign field.
The mission will produce a monthly financial statement for the missionary. It will be reconciled to the bank balances and sent to the missionary by the 15th of every month. A complete list of known donors will be available to the missionary for his review at all times.

Policies on Practical Matters

The missionary agrees to cooperate with FLBM in all matters of correspondence, promotion, etc. FLBM strives to portray a professional and business-like image while maintaining a sweet Christian spirit. All correspondence associated with the mission must be proofread for proper content, grammar and spelling before being mailed.
Any use of the Wyldewood Baptist Church or the First Light Baptist Mission logos must first be approved by the Executive Board of FLBM and they reserve the right to veto anything carried on in its name.
In order to present a uniform and professional appearance, missionary prayer cards, letterhead and other communications are expected to include the FLBM logo.
The missionary is required to include promotional information about FLBM in his display. He is further required to include mention of the mission in his slide/video presentation. The missionary agrees to work with First Light Baptist Mission in producing his slide presentation and promotional material. Music, pictures and other content will be screened for appropriateness. He agrees to submit all changes for review whenever they are updated.
The missionary agrees to speak favorably about FLBM when attending other churches or conferences, corresponding with supporting churches or talking with other missionaries. If he experiences any problems with the mission, he agrees to try to resolve it in-house. If he cannot conscientiously promote the mission, he agrees to withdraw from the mission. FLBM is committed to integrity and confidentiality and every attempt will be made to resolve problems directly with the missionary and with his sending church.
The missionary agrees to maintain proper church communications. This includes confirming preaching dates, returning phone calls and responding to inquiries in a timely fashion.
Once on the field, the missionary agrees to craft a monthly newsletter and e-mail it to the secretary who does his newsletter for proofreading and publication. It must be received no later than the 25th of each month. The missionary is also responsible to work with the secretary to maintain an accurate (and regularly reviewed) mailing list for his newsletter. The mission agrees to keep the missionary informed on changes in pastors, addresses, etc. that the mission becomes aware of. The monthly newsletter will be mailed out no later than the 3rd day of each month.
The missionary must be diligent on the field, willing to consider advice and frugal with his finances. When on a field where learning a foreign language is deemed necessary, he agrees to pursue that at the earliest possible time.

Termination Policy

Being served by First Light Baptist Mission is a privilege, not a right. By the majority vote of the Executive Board or at the request of the missions committee of Wyldewood Baptist Church, FLBM can sever the relationship between itself and the missionary at any time without having to show cause. The missionary will be notified of that decision in writing and his relationship will be terminated immediately. FLBM will work with the missionary to notify his supporters of the change in his status if that becomes necessary. We will continue to forward his support for ninety (90) days. We will no longer serve as his sending agency, but all monies received in his name will be forwarded to him without charge for a period of ninety (90) days. Any monies received after ninety (90) days will be returned to the donor.