Commissioning

“So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” Acts 13:3 (NIV)

We believe that the local church is the entity that sends workers to the field, and commissioning is an important milestone for every fellowship that sends Christar workers. Following the example found in Acts 13, when the church at Antioch responded to the Holy Spirit’s leading to set apart Barnabas and Paul for ministry, a commissioning sets apart members of a congregation for cross-cultural service.

Commissionings look different from church to church, but all serve a common purpose of affirming God’s leading in workers’ lives and formally committing to come alongside them in ministry. In addition, in the United States, individuals who are commissioned are legally recognized in the same way as those who are ordained, enabling them to benefit from certain tax provisions.

Some churches make a commissioning part of a regular Sunday service while others hold a special commissioning service. Regardless of when it takes place, a commissioning typically involves a charge to the worker, a charge to the congregation and a prayer for the worker.

As part of our desire to support sending churches well, Christar makes every effort to send a representative to every commissioning of a Christar worker. As we celebrate with each sending church, this gesture conveys our recognition of the importance of this milestone as well as sets the stage for ongoing Great Commission partnership.