Becoming a FamilyLife Missionary
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Overview
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Step 1
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Phase 1: Explore
Step 1: Getting to know you
In this step, we speak with you by email, phone, and occasionally video conference to learn more about your background, skills, ministry desires, and your general readiness to step into vocational ministry.
Timeline: Usually 2-5 weeks
Varies depending on the applicants urgency and availability.
1.
Fill out an interest form on our website.
2.
Have initial conversations via email or phone.
3.
If married and applying without your spouse, have a phone call including your spouse.
4.
View the Cru Statement of Faith.
6.
Complete a pre-application screening call.
7.
Decision Point #1: Application (Yes, No, Wait)
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Step 2
-
Phase 1: Explore
Step 2: Application
This step involves filling out an official Cru (FamilyLife’s parent organization) application, collecting references and all supporting documents.
Timeline: Approximately 1-2 weeks
Step 2: Activities
Once all these materials have been received, your application will be considered complete.
Recommended reading:
1.
Complete Cru application with all 6 references.
2.
Complete a strengths assessment and marriage survey, if applicable
3.
Attach resumé to application
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Step 3
-
Phase 2: Confirm
Step 3: Application review
This step involves a deep dive into your application and getting to know you on a deep level as we seek to be good stewards of your calling. We will dive into topics such as your spiritual, emotional, and financial health, as well as theology and other topics that may surface in the application.
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
1.
Several phone calls with your application reviewer.
2.
An “official” Cru interview. Note: Interview timing could vary with different groups of applicants.
3.
Decision point #2: Ministry Preview Event (Yes, No, Wait)
-
Step 4
-
Phase 2: Confirm
Step 4: Invitation only Ministry Preview event
Ministry Preview is an event (either in person or virtual) with other applicants at the same step. We provide you with information to help you discern whether missionary staff is how God is leading, you while also continuing our conversations with you in order to make our decision about your application.
Timeline: 1 week
Step 4: Activities
We will give you our decision the week after Ministry Preview. You’ll be given time to pray and respond in the days following our call.
1.
Ministry Preview prework.
2.
Attend the event.
3.
Decision Point #3: Joining FamilyLife Staff (Yes, No, Wait)
4.
(If invited) Time of prayer.
5.
Your response to the invitation to join FamilyLife staff
-
step 5
-
Phase 3: Launch
Step 5: New Staff Orientation (NS0)
Attendance is required; You will most likely participate in the NSO that follows your Ministry Preview.
Timeline: There are typically 8-10 weeks between the Ministry Preview event and the nine-day New Staff Orientation event.
Step 5: Activities
NSO includes three parts:
- Who is Cru?
- Ministry Partner Development (MPD) training.
- Commissioning.
1.
All New Staff Orientation prework.
2.
Attend 9-day New Staff Orientation.
3.
Connect with your Ministry Partner Development coach.
-
Step 6
-
Phase 3: Launch
Step 6: Ministry Partner Development
This final step involves three parts: Ministry Partner Development, Theological Training, and Allocation.
Timeline: 12-24 months
Ministry Partner Development (MPD)
This will be your full time assignment once you have completed New Staff Orientation. You will meet weekly with your Coach and this will remain your focus until you have reached 100% of your goal.
We understand that most people cannot stop working to do MPD. We typically see people continue to work full time and meet with potential partners nights and weekends.
Once you reach 50% of your goal, you can begin to take a part-time paycheck so that you can move to part time at your current job. We would desire you to transition to full-time MPD as soon as you are financially able.
We would desire you to transition to full-time MPD as soon as you are financially able. Generally, conversations with your MPD coach take place about when to transition away from your job once approximately 50% of your goal is reached.
Once you have reached 100% of your goal you will be cleared by your coach to transition to your ministry assignment!
Institute of Biblical Studies
One important foundation for your biblical and theological development is the 11 core courses offered through the Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS). These eleven courses are designed to equip you for a lifetime of ministry.
As a new missionary serving with Cru, you will complete three IBS courses before reporting to your initial ministry assignment:
- Intro to Mission
- Intro to Christian Theology
- Bible Study Methods
Note: if you have previously attended seminary, you may be eligible to not take these courses.
Allocation (Role Placement)
Your official placement (role) with FamilyLife will be assigned after you have completed orientation and training with Cru. Our desire is to place you somewhere you both fit and flourish. With the length of the process, we want to hold in tension your skills and strategic needs of the ministry as this may change from the time you start the process.
Know this:
- We care about being Spirit-led.
- We care about your placement experience.
- We care about your story.
- We care about your growth.
- We care about the vision of FamilyLife.
OVERVIEW
There are three phases to our six-step missionary assessment and training process. This is not a typical job transition, but rather a life-changing decision. We want to provide adequate time for prayer, conversations, and discernment.
Phase 1:
Exploration
(1-2 months)
Step 1: Getting to know you
Step 2: Application
Phase 2:
Confirmation
(1-2 months)
Step 3: Application review
Step 4: Ministry Preview event
Phase 3:
Launch
(12-18 months)
Step 5: New staff orientation
Step 6: Ministry partner development
You will interact with a variety of FamilyLife staff, and our hope is you will experience a seamless process over the next 12-24 months. The Lord is your Good Shepherd and we are committed to join with Him in stewarding your journey well.
Throughout this process there are a number of decision points to determine next steps, both on our end and yours. At each decision point we will give you one of three potential answers: yes, no, or wait.
Curious to see if missionary staff could be where the Lord is leading you next? We are here to help you in the discernment process!
Phase 1: Explore
Step 1: Getting to know you
In this step, we speak with you by email, phone, and occasionally video conference to learn more about your background, skills, ministry desires, and your general readiness to step into vocational ministry.
Timeline: Usually 2-5 weeks
Varies depending on the applicants urgency and availability.
1.
Fill out an interest form on our website.
2.
Have initial conversations via email or phone.
3.
If married and applying without your spouse, have a phone call including your spouse.
4.
View the Cru Statement of Faith.
6.
Complete a pre-application screening call.
7.
Decision Point #1: Application (Yes, No, Wait)
Phase 1: Explore
Step 2: Application
This step involves filling out an official Cru (FamilyLife’s parent organization) application, collecting references and all supporting documents.
Timeline: Approximately 1-2 weeks
Step 2: Activities
Once all these materials have been received, your application will be considered complete.
Recommended reading:
1.
Complete Cru application with all 6 references.
2.
Complete a strengths assessment and marriage survey, if applicable
3.
Attach resumé to application
Phase 2: Confirm
Step 3: Application review
This step involves a deep dive into your application and getting to know you on a deep level as we seek to be good stewards of your calling. We will dive into topics such as your spiritual, emotional, and financial health, as well as theology and other topics that may surface in the application.
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
1.
Several phone calls with your application reviewer.
2.
An “official” Cru interview. Note: Interview timing could vary with different groups of applicants.
3.
Decision point #2: Ministry Preview Event (Yes, No, Wait)
Phase 2: Confirm
Step 4: Invitation only Ministry Preview event
Ministry Preview is an event (either in person or virtual) with other applicants at the same step. We provide you with information to help you discern whether missionary staff is how God is leading, you while also continuing our conversations with you in order to make our decision about your application.
Timeline: 1 week
Step 4: Activities
We will give you our decision the week after Ministry Preview. You’ll be given time to pray and respond in the days following our call.
1.
Ministry Preview prework.
2.
Attend the event.
3.
Decision Point #3: Joining FamilyLife Staff (Yes, No, Wait)
4.
(If invited) Time of prayer.
5.
Your response to the invitation to join FamilyLife staff
Phase 3: Launch
Step 5: New Staff Orientation (NS0)
Attendance is required; You will most likely participate in the NSO that follows your Ministry Preview.
Timeline: There are typically 8-10 weeks between the Ministry Preview event and the nine-day New Staff Orientation event.
Step 5: Activities
NSO includes three parts:
- Who is Cru?
- Ministry Partner Development (MPD) training.
- Commissioning.
1.
All New Staff Orientation prework.
2.
Attend 9-day New Staff Orientation.
3.
Connect with your Ministry Partner Development coach.
Phase 3: Launch
Step 6: Ministry Partner Development
This final step involves three parts: Ministry Partner Development, Theological Training, and Allocation.
Timeline: 12-24 months
Ministry Partner Development (MPD)
This will be your full time assignment once you have completed New Staff Orientation. You will meet weekly with your Coach and this will remain your focus until you have reached 100% of your goal.
We understand that most people cannot stop working to do MPD. We typically see people continue to work full time and meet with potential partners nights and weekends.
Once you reach 50% of your goal, you can begin to take a part-time paycheck so that you can move to part time at your current job. We would desire you to transition to full-time MPD as soon as you are financially able.
We would desire you to transition to full-time MPD as soon as you are financially able. Generally, conversations with your MPD coach take place about when to transition away from your job once approximately 50% of your goal is reached.
Once you have reached 100% of your goal you will be cleared by your coach to transition to your ministry assignment!
Institute of Biblical Studies
One important foundation for your biblical and theological development is the 11 core courses offered through the Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS). These eleven courses are designed to equip you for a lifetime of ministry.
As a new missionary serving with Cru, you will complete three IBS courses before reporting to your initial ministry assignment:
- Intro to Mission
- Intro to Christian Theology
- Bible Study Methods
Note: if you have previously attended seminary, you may be eligible to not take these courses.
Allocation (Role Placement)
Your official placement (role) with FamilyLife will be assigned after you have completed orientation and training with Cru. Our desire is to place you somewhere you both fit and flourish. With the length of the process, we want to hold in tension your skills and strategic needs of the ministry as this may change from the time you start the process.
Know this:
- We care about being Spirit-led.
- We care about your placement experience.
- We care about your story.
- We care about your growth.
- We care about the vision of FamilyLife.