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Announcements and News.....
Mission Accreditation
April, 2005
Most of us are daily bombarded by pleas for
contributions to various causes or organizations. How does one
determine the legitimacy of these groups? Perhaps trust comes through
familiarity; often it is through the word of another that already has
that trust. So it is in the cause of Christ. God expects good
stewardship, responsible choices with investment (time, finances,
service, etc.) in missions. One way ministries provide evidence of
trustworthiness is through accreditation.
The Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association (IFMA)
and the Association of North American Missions (ANAM)
accredit Missionary TECH Team. Accreditation by these two
organizations affirms that Missionary TECH Team has been thoroughly
examined and that the ministry is doctrinally sound, fiscally
responsible, and ethically and morally upright.
ANAM’s stated purpose is “to assist member organizations to operate
with excellence, thereby maximizing their God given ministry
effectiveness.” ANAM member missions must meet prescribed management,
doctrinal, ethical, accountability and financial reporting standards.
A sample of their prescribed qualifications would include the
following: Qualification with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization;
satisfactory evidence as to the necessity and purpose of existence,
and the nature of its administration; evidence of a satisfactory
degree of progress toward established goals; service that assists the
local church in fulfilling its New Testament appointed objectives; a
properly audited financial statement, published and provided upon
written request; a board-appointed audit review committee;
subscription to the Statement of Faith, Code of Ethics and Financial
Code of Ethics. (View these at
www.anamissions.org.) Membership listing by ANAM provides
recognition, trust, and credibility to the public.
IFMA by-laws state that its purpose will be to “establish standards of
accountability and integrity . . ." IFMA adheres to exacting
theological, financial, relational, and moral standards. In this way,
friends, pastors, supporters, and the Christian public are reassured
of its members’ integrity in finances, message, relationships, and in
moral standards. Annually each member mission signs an Adherence
Reaffirmation in regard to association standards.
John Orme, Th. D., IFMA Executive Director, writes in their spring
publication, “In today’s world of multiple, new entrepreneurial
mission organizations, too often disconnected from the larger missions
community, and too often without accountability, membership in the
IFMA speaks to adherence to long-standing standards of integrity.”
IFMA maintains definite requirements of its member missions. Each must
demonstrate accountability of all funds received and practice full
financial disclosure. IFMA holds a strong, unwavering, biblical
position. The association’s high standards have gained for it and its
members a reputation of proven excellence and integrity. (View IFMA
Standards for Membership, Doctrine and Purpose, Organization,
Finances, Operation, Relationship, Integrity and Accountability, as
well as their Confession of Faith at
www.ifmamissions.org.)
Missionary TECH Team has gained approved membership in both IFMA and
ANAM so that through its accountability to these agencies, supporters
may have full confidence in the Mission’s integrity in doctrine,
finances, and ethics. Accreditation provides accountability for TECH
and credibility to the Christian public.
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