The last few weeks, we have covered some things that are important to have before you start deputation. This week we will conclude this part of the series with things that you need. Specifically, some documents that will be good to prepare now before you start deputation.
- Confirmation letter: This is used to email and mail to pastors to confirm the meeting you scheduled with them. I would recommend once you first book a meeting, to email one out right away, so the pastor can see it and put it down on his calendar. If there is no email address then mail him one out. I always mail a copy the month before we are scheduled to be with a pastor. This helps to remind the pastor and church that we are coming. I would make sure on your confirmation letter that you put your picture, your contact information, dates and time of the meeting, as well as what you can do in the service (preach, sing, testify, etc). I would keep it to less than one page.
- Prayer letter: You can either design this yourself or get someone to help you with the design. Things that you want on your prayer letter would be: picture, name, where you are going, what you are doing, contact info, social media info, sending church info, and support address info. I would suggest keeping it to one page. Break up into shorter paragraphs and
bold, italics, underline or highlight things to draw attention to them. I would recommend sending this out every month to stay in contact with supporting churches as well as future churches you will be in and non-supporting churches you have been in. Send out an email prayer letter as well as a mailed copy! Let people know what has been going on as you
travel – maybe a blessing or even a trial you had that month, what you have been reading in your Bible, where you have travelled and things like that! Make sure to stay in touch with your churches on deputation and also while on the field! - Letterhead/Thank you letter: This is so that you can write thank you notes or letters to churches that have had you in. You can also use this to write a short note to a pastor or church and let them know about how deputation has been going or maybe even a big upcoming event for you and your family. Again, make sure your picture is on it, your contact
info is on it as well as where you are going and what you are doing!
4. We have covered over the last few weeks several things that should be put together or that you should have before you start deputation. Anything you send out, remember that it needs to have your picture, name and contact info on it! On every thing you send out or give to people, you want people to remember and know who you are when they see you! Maybe you are a missionary, I would love to hear your thoughts and input on the suggested items, as well as things I may have missed. If this is the first article you have read, please, go back and read parts 1-3! Let us know where you are a missionary to, or maybe if God has called you to be a missionary and you are about to start deputation, in the comment section below! Next week wewill start getting more into what to do on deputation, from phone calls to meetings!