Involved

Sister Church Program Preparation

The following steps are to be taken to determine if a church is to commit to be a Sister Church:

1. Engage your church in earnest prayer to seek God’s leading in participating in this specific ministry.
Participation as a sister church with Honduran believers requires a significant commitment and should be
entered only as God directs and church leaders are unified.

2. Plan a meeting with a representative of Heart to Honduras with pastoral staff and church leaders to
discuss the details of the Sister Church program. This meeting will help clarify issues in order for the
leaders to more adequately understand the scope of their participation.

3. The church leadership team (pastors and elders/council/etc.) comes to a strong and unified agreement to
become a Sister Church with a congregation in Honduras. It is imperative that the Senior Pastor as well as
lay leaders enthusiastically endorse participation in the Sister Church program. Either the Senior Pastor or
another pastor is to be given direct oversight of this ministry for the church.

4. After prayerful consideration the North America congregation indicates in writing their desire to
participate as a Sister Church. The Association of Churches in Honduras will have the final decision to
accept and match churches in North America with churches in Honduras. It is imperative that this ministry
empower the church leaders in Honduras rather than impose our plans on them.

5. The leaders of the North American Sister Church will then make every effort to inform and involve the
people of their congregation. Thus begins an exciting journey of partnership with believers in Honduras.

Sister Church Program Requirements

SCOPE is designed for a ministry that is

Personal--to develop meaningful relationships with believers in Honduras;

Practical--to minister to very real needs of our Honduran churches;

Powerful--to see lives changed for Christ by partnering for Kingdom ministry.

Because of the nature of this ministry the requirements for participation are set much higher than those
involving typical mission involvement. The Honduras church is among the poorest of the poor in the Western
Hemisphere. Meeting extensive needs requires deep commitment.

Requirements of North American Churches:

1. A visit to Honduras by a pastoral staff member (we strongly encourage the Senior Pastor to become
familiar with the ministry through personal experience);

2. A joint meeting of church leaders and Heart to Honduras staff member;

3. A compelling vote of affirmation to participate by the church’s pastoral and lay leaders;

4. Hosting a Christian Lifestyle Seminar directed by Heart to Honduras to help prepare believers for
participation in the Sister Church program;

5. A strong commitment to pray regularly and publicly as a body for the Honduran sister church, with regular
prayer and praise updates shared with the congregation;

6. An agreement to maintain or increase current giving to Heart to Honduras, and to provide additional
resources for Sister Church expenses;

7. A commitment to visit the Honduran sister church annually for fellowship, updates, accountability,
planning and joint projects;

8. Development of a leadership team, including at least one pastor, two lay leaders and a Heart to
Honduras representative, to formulate plans and oversee your church's involvement in the program (this
team will meet at least quarterly but may meet more often without the Heart to Honduras representative);

9. Updates and plans provided to the Heart to Honduras office quarterly, with details of any proposed trips
and projects (with the increased number of people and groups traveling to Honduras with us it will be
imperative that all trips and projects be communicated and approved well before making plans);

10. Encouragement of broad participation by your church membership in the Sister Church program,
through prayer enlistment, resource development, travel teams, etc.

Sister Church Program Policies

Prior to committing to a Sister Church program, the North America church will indicate in writing their
agreement to the following:

1. SCOPE is a cooperative venture. All plans for a Sister Church program will first be approved by the
Association of Honduran Pastors Board, or junta. Violation of this agreement will cause confusion, partiality
and disunity. Jesus prayed clearly for the unity of believers (John 17). The church in Central America has
found its efforts hampered by jealousy, disunity and individualistic attitudes. Our efforts must teach and
model a ministry of trust, unity and partnership. Our efforts must allow the Honduran leaders to make the
decisions that directly impact their churches and association.

2. A letter from the North American church will be submitted to indicate the full support of the Senior Pastor,
Mission Pastor (if one is on staff), and lay leaders. Although the Senior Pastor need not carry the
administrative responsibilities of this partnership, it is crucial that he or she bring his or her strong support
to this program.

3. Church leadership will agree to host a seminar directed by Heart to Honduras. This seminar, described
below, will set the tone and spirit for the Sister Church program. The theme of the seminar will be "Christian
Lifestyle" with emphasis on laying a biblical and practical basis for involvement with the sister church.
SCOPE provides an opportunity to raise missions involvement to a profound personal level. The seminar
will address issues that will allow persons becoming actively involved in the program to grow in their
understanding and effectiveness as they participate with believers in Honduras. Dates for the seminar
should be held during the first year of participation. Resource persons may be drawn from among the
congregation as well as Heart to Honduras staff and other missions leaders.

4. Current financial resources given to Heart to Honduras are crucial for our overall strength and ability to
continue in ministry. Money used for the Sister Church Program must be in addition to current giving. Only
with such designated additional support will we be able to provide the services necessary to make SCOPE
possible and effective.

Proposed Christian Lifestyle Seminar

Purpose: To prepare minds and hearts to be intentional servants of Christ and others (applicable to local
and cross-cultural ministries).

Place: The church fellowship hall or an informal setting provided by the church.

Time: Six hours, which could be scheduled:

Saturday, 9am-3pm

Friday, 7-9 pm; Saturday 8am-noon

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings (two hours each)

Consecutive evenings (if resource persons are available in the area)

Other options proposed by the congregation

Leaders: Heart to Honduras staff, church staff/leaders and national leaders chosen by Heart to Honduras

Format:

1. The Cry for Justice in the Old Testament
Key passages: Isaiah 58; Micah 6:6; Amos 6:4; Zechariah 7:4-12

2. The Ministry and Teachings of Jesus

3. The Practice of the Early Church

4. The Call for Christian Servanthood/Discipleship

5. Partnering with Your Sister Church

Preparation: A reading list of Scriptural passages and Christian books will be provided to prepare
individuals attending the seminar.

If you are interested in your church pursuing a sister relationship with a church in Honduras through SCOPE,
please talk and pray about it with your church leadership. Because of the scope and potential impact of
sister church relationships, it is imperative that involvement in this program have the full support of your
church leadership. Once your church leadership has affirmed its support, let us know of your desire to
become involved by contacting Jim Usher.