REFORMATION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES &

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY (Suriname, South America)
{Application for Work in Suriname as “Missionary-Helper”}

 

Please complete this Application thoroughly and prayerfully to show your interest in working in any capacity with Reformation Christian Ministries, and particularly at Christian Liberty Academy. 

Please print or type clearly.  Please use extra paper where necessary.  Submission by email is welcome. 

 

(Feel free to complete this application in a computer word processor if you wish, by typing your answers after the questions and letting the application expand as you do. A husband and wife team will need to complete two applications when the wife is personally involved in ministry in any way.) 

 

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:

Rev. Rudy Poettcker, 13950 – 122nd Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948 U.S.A.

Email:  rep@reformation.edu

 

Or call Rev. Geoffrey Donnan

Phone: 772-571-8030; Fax: 772-571-8010

Email:  president@reformation.edu

A.      INTRODUCTORY  UNDERSTANDINGS:

1.       RCM is a local church-run ministry which has appointed a board to oversee its ministries.  However, RCM does not provide direct ecclesiastical oversight except as agreed upon through cooperative agreement.  All field personnel are required to have an agreeable ecclesiastical body under whose authority ecclesiastical matters may be referred.  This body will need to have an agreement with RCM before any direct ecclesiastical responsibilities can be assumed by RCM.  While RCM does not have ecclesiastical oversight, any ecclesiastical responsibilities need to be carried out in harmony with RCM's other operating policies and with RCM's full knowledge and approval.  In any cases where ecclesiastical discipline is necessary, RCM will defer judgement to previously agreed church courts (part of the cooperative agreement signed with all sending bodies).

2.       RCM is intended to operate as a field-sensitive missionary organization (by that we mean that the field will be involved in establishing its field agenda in conjunction with the administration).  While field personnel will be queried and consulted on all policies established relating to field practices, the RCM board (and ultimately the session of the church) has final authority in any cases of dispute between the administration and the field. 

3.       RCM has two major field policies:  to avoid dependency and, to the greatest possible extent, utilizing local people to fulfill local responsibilities.  These policies greatly affect many programs and approaches to our mission work. 

4.       Field personnel work in conjunction with their field team leader (where more than one unit is operative in the field) and the RCM Director.  All projects and programs must be cleared through the Director, who in turn is responsible to the board.  In the event of any dispute between the field and the Director, the board will have final authority (unless doctrine or morals are involved, in which case the matter will be resolved in consultation or by referral to the proper ecclesiastical courts).

5.             All affiliated personnel agree to notify REFORMATION CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES in the event any of the following should take place:

a)       Your doctrinal position with regards to the confessions or the items contained in this application should change. 

b)       Your association with any ecclesiastical authority should change. 

c)       If married, you become separated or divorced, or your spouse dies.

d)       If single, you marry someone whose doctrinal position is different from yours.   (In any case, they should complete an application if they are in any way involved in your work.)

e)       If you become involved in some type of activity or conduct that could affect your work, witness or credibility; and/or if you are placed under any kind of ecclesiastical discipline.

Please make and keep a photocopy of this application for your records and future reference. 

 

B.        PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Title & Name: ________________________________________________    Date: __________________

Email Address:   _______________________________________________    SS#: __________________

Address: ____________________________________________________    Birth Date: _____________

____________________________________________________________   Phone:__________________

____________________________________________________________    Fax:___________________

Family Status:  ____Single   ____Married   ____Divorced   ____Number of Children

Spouse Title & Name: __________________________________________    Birth Date: _____________

Have you or your spouse ever been married or divorced before?  _YES / NO  (If yes, please provide details.)

Names of Children and dates of birth (place an "X" next to those not living with you):

_______________________________________             _______________________________________

_______________________________________             _______________________________________

_______________________________________             _______________________________________

Home/Sending Church:__________________________________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

Pastor: ____________________;  Email: ___________________________Phone:___________________

Membership Details:      Baptized?   YES / NO         Communicant Member?   YES / NO

        How long have you been a Communicant Church member? ___________

Will this Church (eldership) provide ecclesiastical oversight for you?  YES / NO

        (If “no” please state which Church will) _____________________________________________

Post-High School Education:

{Beginning with most recent give: Name of Institution, Dates Attended, Degrees/Certifications Received}

 

 

 

Past Work Experiences:       {Beginning with most recent give: Employer Name, Dates Worked,

Type of Work & Responsibility, Reason for Leaving}

 

 

 

References:   {Please provide the following: Name, relation to you, Phone #, Email address}

1.      Family (at least one).

 

2.      Church (at least two; one being current pastor).

 

3.      Work (at least two).


C.        CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE AND CALLING: 

(Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, unless you are submitting via email)

1.     Briefly describe your family background, and your history in being a Christian.

 

2.     In 100-200 words explain the reason for the hope that is yours in Jesus Christ.

 

3.      When, where and by what church were you baptized?  Was it done by water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?  If not, explain.

 

4.     Briefly describe your daily walk with the Lord, your devotional habits and discipline.

 

5.      Have you ever been under church discipline?  If so, please explain and provide evidence that you are no longer under such discipline.

 

6.      Have you ever sought or held office in a church?  If so, please name the offices and dates held in which churches (Including details of ordination).

 

7.      RCM desires that all field personnel show a godly testimony by being faithful and committed members of a local church.  (a) Do you agree with this, and (b) Are you willing to be an active and committed "associate member" of the First Presbyterian Church in Suriname (the church which meets at the school)?

 

8.      Please provide some details of your employment experiences.

 

9.      If single, please explain your understanding of relationships with unbelievers of the opposite sex.

D.      INVOLVEMENT AT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY ACADEMY (SURINAME)

(Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, unless you are submitting via email)

1.      In as much detail as you wish, please explain the reasons for your interest in wanting to serve in another culture.

 

2.      Describe any past experiences you have had in regards to serving Christ (apart from daily life).  Also explain any particular training you have (apart from your education listed above).

 

3.      Please describe the type of work (courses/grades) you especially desire to be involved in, and tell us if there is any particular work (courses/grades) which you do not wish to be involved in.

 

4.      What languages do you speak?  How fluent are you in each?

 

E.         DOCTRINE AND LIFE:

(Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, unless you are submitting via email)

1.      Please provide a personal statement of faith, including your understanding of the "Reformed Faith" and how it affects your daily life and relationships with saved and unsaved.

 

2.      Please provide a list of Confessional Standards which you are familiar with and submit to.  Does your home/sending church and any supporting churches also hold to these Standards?  Explain.

 

3.      If you are familiar with the "Five Points of Calvinism" please briefly explain them and explain your reasons for not holding to any one of them (if applicable).

 

4.      Describe your own “world-and-life view”.

 

5.      Explain how you personally deal with gossip and give examples if possible.

 

6.      Explain how you resolve problems with others (please use real-life examples).

 

7.      Regarding submission to authority and being accountable to others:

          Explain:

a)      Your understanding of this and how you have practiced this in your own life.

 

b)      Any negative experiences you have had with this, due to its misuse.

 

c)      Examples where you have had to exercise authority and hold others accountable.

 

8.      Please briefly respond to each of the following (for possible future discussion):

a)      Arminianism.

 

b)      Covenant baptism of infants or believer's baptism.

 

c)      The modern-day charismatic movement and use of charismatic gifts today.

 

d)      The Kingdom of God.

 

e)      The on-going use of the Law of God.

 

f)        The role of women in ministry in the church, and in the offices of the church.

 

g)      Homosexuality and abortion.

 

h)      The necessity of membership in a local church.

 

i)        Creation, evolution, and theistic evolution.

 

j)        The teaching and practice of a "Christian culture" in a "cross-cultural" situation.

 

k)      Giving money (or material help) to people in need.

 

9.      Please be sure that you have read “What CLA Stands For” (please ask for a copy if you do not have one yet).  After having read it, please explain any areas where you have any questions and/or disagreement.

 

 


F.      FOR TEACHING SITUATIONS: 

(Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, unless you are submitting via email)

Please briefly respond to each of the following (for possible future discussion):

1.      The responsibility of a teacher in teaching the textbook and adding relevant material.

 

2.      The role of a teacher in authority and discipline over students.

 

3.      The purpose of tests and grading, and issuing report cards.

 

4.      The necessity of students earning grades according to achievement over-against favoritism.

 

5.      How to practice "team work" with other teachers, staff, and administration.

 

6.      Necessity to admit to sin or wrong-doing to students, other teachers, and administration.

 

7.      What to do when someone talks about another teacher or the administration to you.

 

8.      Necessity of teacher improvement through administrative observation, critique, and advice.

 

G.      SUPPORT INFORMATION: 

(Please answer on a separate sheet of paper, unless you are submitting via email)

1.      Since you will require some amount of additional financial support, please explain how you hope to have this provided.

 

2.      Do you understand/agree that Reformation Christian Ministries will require 10% of your support to cover its general administration of your activities?

 

3.      Please provide a list of any insurance plans you are a member of (health, medical, life, retirement).

 

 

By signing this application, you certify that you have personally completed this Application and affirm that all of the information submitted is true and correct.  Furthermore, you state that you have read and agree to abide by the above INTRODUCTORY UNDERSTANDINGS.

 

                                                                                    Signed                                      Date

 

Please provide us with a list of references of persons who know you and your work.  Send us their name, address (email) and phone numbers, along with information on your relationship with them and how long they have known you.

 

Complete and send or email to: 

Rev. Rudy Poettcker, 13950 – 122nd Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948 U.S.A.

Email:  rep@reformation.edu

 

Or call Rev. Geoffrey Donnan

Phone: 772-571-8030; Fax: 772-571-8010

Email:  president@reformation.edu

 

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact Rev. Poettcker.