Well
there is no greater privilege than being called in to the special
service of God. The Lord tells us that the fields are white and ready
for harvesting but the workers are few. Yet despite this fact it is
not our policy as a Mission to rush people into the work of missionary
endeavour. All things need to be done in order and with prayerful
consideration from start to finish as you test and, in due course
we trust, respond positively to your wonderful and thrilling sense
of call. Indeed, one thing we stress in UFM is that a clear sense
of God's sovereign call to missionary service is an absolute essential
in a person's life. One vital aspect of that call is the conviction
that the Gospel must be the first priority in your life. The details
of where and when you are to serve the Lord may take some time to
become clear, but there will be a growing determination that Christ
must be pre-eminent in all things. We are committed to assisting Christians
with a clear sense of call to go to any country in the world. One
of the main reasons why we are now working in some countries is that
the Lord sent us people who felt called to work there.
Local
churches, not mission agencies, send missionaries. The call to missionary
service is tested first in the local church. Everyone who applies
to serve with UFM Worldwide must have their call endorsed by their
local church. We are committed to involving the leaders of the local
church in the application process, including the final interview.
The ongoing pastoral care of our missionaries and key decisions affecting
their ministry are undertaken in close fellowship with the leaders
of their home church.
We
know what an important time this is for you in your life and want
to help you in everyway possible. Do take the time to talk through
your sense of call with your minister and trusted Christian friends.
Discuss your desires, scrutinise your motives. Is it possible that
you might be running away from some difficulty or sadness in your
life? Alternatively, could it be that you are genuinely becoming increasingly
persuaded that the Lord has his hand upon your life, with a desire
to put it to a purpose that is currently taking your spiritual breath
away? Be scrupulously honest with yourself, and your advisers, and
make everything a matter of prayer. As a Mission we also want to help
you at this time. We would be happy to meet with you and to answer
any questions you might have. Areas to be looked at as you seek to
properly discern God's will for your life should include:
- The
Circumstances of your life - do they have a message for you?
- The
inner Conviction of your heart - what do you really feel?
- The
Counsel you have received from your friends - positive or negative,
why?
- The
word from Christ in Scripture - what
are you hearing?
You
could meet in the first instance with our Scottish Secretary. Also
available at other times for consultation would be the Chairman of
UFM in Scotland, or any of our missionaries home on furlough. If you
feel that we could help you in anyway please do not hesitate to contact
us. It would be our privilege and pleasure to meet with you, and to
help you, as you prayerfully and carefully seek the will of God for
your life.
