AGREEMENT FOR CO-OPERATION
This Agreement for Co-operation is made the 20th of November' 06
BETWEEN: KEHILAT HA'SEH AL HAR ZION (KHAHZ)
(THE CONGREGATION OF THE LAMB ON MOUNT ZION)
THAT MEETS AT CHRIST CHURCH, JERUSALEM AND:THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF INDONESIA (GIDI – GEREJA INJILI DI INDONESIA) of P 0 Box 233, Sentani 99352, Jayapura, Papua Province, Indonesia (GIDI) of the second part.
BASIS OF CO-OPERATION
- We, KHAHZ and GIDI, as partners in this agreement seek the following:
- That a bond of Christian love and fellowship be established and maintained between us;
- That the spirit of this agreement is maintained at all times in the conduct of ministry and interaction with each other.
- Recognizing the unity of the Church world wide we agree to work in partnership in the development and promotion of the Kingdom of God. We further agree to work as a team in partnership with other Christian organizations, while maintaining our freedom to co-operate with other Christian groups outside of this agreement.
- WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE LIVING IN THE TIME WHEN GOD IS RESTORING HIS KEHILAH (CHURCH) IN ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH UNIVERSAL. WE UNDERSTAND OUR NEW RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHURCH IN PAPUA AND THE KEHILAH IN JERUSALEM TO BE A STEP IN THIS PROCESS OF RESTORATION. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE BUILDING OF RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THESE TWO PARTS OF MESSIAH'S BODY IS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PROPHETIC PURPOSES OF GOD FOR ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS IN THESE LAST DAYS. IT IS THE TIME IN GOD'S ESCHOTOLOGY WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GRAFTING THE WILD OLIVE BRANCHES FROM THE NATIONS INTO THE CULTIVATED OLIVE TREE OF MESSIANIC ISRAEL IN A FELLOWSHIP THAT EXPRESSES THIS INCARNATE REALITY. IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE ACHIEVED TO EXPRESS THE TRUE UNITY OF THE ONE BODY OF JEW AND GENTILE, WE HAVE COMMITTED OURSELVES TO JESUS TO BUILD TOGETHER IN A RELATIONAL WAY. WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPHETIC TEACHING FROM THE WORD OF GOD AS ESSENTIAL TO BRINGING US INTO THE RELATIONSHIP THAT GOD HAS ALWAYS WILLED FOR THESE TWO PARTS OF HIS BODY. FOR THIS VISION TO BE REALIZED, WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THERE TO BE TEACHING FROM ZION IN THE FORM OF SEMINARS THAT WOULD BE ORGANIZED EITHER IN ISRAEL OR IN PAPUA. WHILE WE REALIZE THAT THIS TEACHING SHOULD COME THROUGH THE MESSIANIC COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL, WE ALSO WANT TO RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF THE RICHES OF THE GENTILES, THAT WHICH MESSIAH HAS IMPARTED TO HIS BODY IN PAPUA. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT THAT WE ARE SIGNING TODAY IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A PLAN OF GOD THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL UNFOLD AS WE WALK TOGETHER IN THE COMMUNION OF LOVE AND IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS GUIDANCE. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT KEYS IN THE END-TIME PLAN OF GOD WHICH WILL LEAD TO THE COMPLETION OF THE MYSTERY OF THE BRIDE WHO IS MADE READY FOR THE LORD'S RETURN AS THE CHURCH AMONGST THE NATIONS COMES INTO HER RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE MESSIANIC COMMUNITY IN JERUSALEM.
- This agreement is between KHAHZ and GIDI and as such applies to all overseas workers, long or short term, sent by the partners on missionary assignments. Individual personalized Ministry Statements will be drawn up for all overseas workers, which will be signed by the overseas worker concerned and representatives of our Churches.
- Although individual workers will not be expected to sign this Agreement for Co-operation each Church is expected to make copies available to overseas workers to read it and to make themselves familiar with our Fspirit of the co-operation.
- Any behaviour or action that Is seen to be in breach of the spirit of this Agreement will result in immediate discussions with appropriate Church leaders and, if necessary may lead to the cancellation of the work permit.
Church Membership and Ministry Statement
Church Membership
- Overseas workers affiliated to GIDI and approve by KHAHZ will become full members of KHAHZ, enjoying full membership rights, and be committed to all Church membership responsibilities.
- Overseas workers affiliated to KHAHZ and approve by GIDI will become full members of GIDI, enjoying full membership rights, and be committed to all Church membership responsibilities.
- At all times overseas workers shall be expected to cooperate with the national leadership of the host church as well as the recognized structure of their own Church body.
Ministry Statement
- Before an overseas worker is recruited the relevant body within KHAHZ or GIDI will write a ministry statement. This will be exchanged between the churches for the purposes of consideration and recruitment.
- Anyone showing interest in the position should have the necessary character, academic or professional qualifications. In addition, the overseas worker must be prepared to commit themselves to this Agreement for Co-operation and the Church Constitution, Rules and Guidelines of the receiving church.
- An overseas worker entering the work of KHAHZ or GIDI will be made familiar with these documents and the appropriate national Church leader will assist in this matter.
- All overseas workers will be responsible to a person nominated by the Church in his/her particular area of ministry. Where a person is assigned to an institution he/she will be responsible to the head of that institution. If the worker is assigned to Church work he/she will be responsible to the District Chairman or a delegated leader.
- Ministry Statements will be reviewed regularly and may be adjusted by mutual discussion as skills and needs develop.
Pastoral Care and Personnel Support
- As partners we encourage overseas workers to be an integral part of a local Church so that they come under the pastoral care of host pastor.
- General Executives of the churches will be included in discussions relating to the ministry and conduct of any overseas worker serving under this agreement. In the light of that we will encourage mutual care, support and exchange of information, including circular prayer letters and annual reviews. The partners will make every effort to maintain direct contact with each other at all times either through email, telephone, or fax especially in relations to the ministry of the overseas workers.
New Workers
- Each church will develop a workable procedure for the orientation of the new overseas workers in order to help them settle into life and work in the host country.
Annual Review
- Both churches will require each overseas worker to present a written report of his/her ministry to the Annual District Conference or its equivalent. During this time they will need to meet with the District Chairman or his equivalent to discuss their current ministry.
End of Term
- Each overseas worker concluding a term of service with either KHAHZ or GIDI will be given a written invitation from the host church to return to the host country and to continue ministry if that is thought appropriate.
Special Circumstances and DeveIopments
With the benefit of many years of experience of overseas workers, we recognize that certain circumstances do develop that need special attention. The list below describes some that have occurred, but recognize that others may develop in the future and partners would ask the overseas workers to show due respect to host country laws and cultures.
Cross-cultural marriage
We recognize that the Gospel removes all racial and tribal differences. We agree that all single overseas workers discuss with church and mission leadership any relationships that could lead to marriage.
Inappropriate Moral Behaviour
We require that all overseas workers maintain Biblical teaching with reference to monogamous heterosexual marriage. Any breaches of this by way of immorality or adultery would lead to immediate discussion of the situation with KHAHZ and GIDI leadership.
Commitment
Overseas workers in Israel on KHAHZ sponsorship and vice versa who wish to change their commitment to any other agency will need to meet all costs relating to such a move and may be asked to leave the country and KHAHZ/GIDI accommodation before any such negotiations begin.
Cooperation with other Christian – Mesianic Communities
Remembering the requirements of Clause (d) above arid recognizing the unity of the body of Christ, KHAHZ/GIDI are happy for any of their overseas workers to contribute to the work of other Christian – Mesianic Communities within the host country. We would, however, require that discussions are held with the relevant partner leadership before any commitment is made.
Tent Making Ministry
We recognize the opportunities available to Christians to serve in Government and NGO (Non Government Organization) positions, therefore the partners would be open to discuss the sponsorship of KHAHZ/GIDI Overseas Workers to such positions, with a view to furthering the Christian ministry.
Research and Further Study
- We encourage ongoing study therefore would be open to its overseas workers enrolling in programs at the Universities in host countries or any other academic institution, but would ask that such intentions be shared with the host partner leadership to ensure that:
· unnecessary demands are not made on the person concerned;
· the conditions required by the host governments are not infringed.
Conditions and Responsibilities
- Receiving or host church will be responsible to:
· Wherever possible, assist in helping to find housing for overseas worker on existing mission stations on the understanding that an agreed rent is paid by the overseas worker to the landlord.
· In a new ministry situation give as much help as possible to secure property for rental or purchase for a reasonable price, but the costs will be the responsibility of the overseas worker or the sending partner.
· Arrange the transfer of overseas workers to and from the airport at the start and completion of terms of service.
- Sending church will be responsible to:
· Set and ensure that each overseas worker has adequate support for himself/herself and all dependants to cover travel to and from the host country; living costs (including adequate furnishing and personal effects).
- Ensure that adequate insurance cover is in place to cover all heath needs for the overseas worker and all dependants.
· Include in any support the total costs incurred in the education of their own children. Overseas workers are free to opt for whichever form or education that they prefer for their children's needs.
· Agree with each overseas worker the length and frequency of Home Responsibility. This information, however, should be agreed at the beginning of each term and made available to the host partner leadership.
· Have an agreed procedure for dealing with any form of crisis relating to their own personal commitment to the receiving partner. While the receiving partner will do all that it can assist personnel in times of crisis it recognizes that the sending partner has the right of final decision.
Acceptance and Amendments to this Agreement
The partners agree that the signing of this document by the recognized and authorized leadership of the partners represents an unqualified commitment to its requirements.
Adjustments and modifications may he made to this agreement at any time, but only after discussion and the mutual agreement of both partners. Jerusalem, 20th November 2006
Signatories to this Agreement
For and on behalf of KHAHZ : For and on behalf of GIDI :
(Chairman of GIDI Synd)
Pastor Benjamin Berger Pastor Lipiyus Biniluk
Pastor Reuven Berger Witness :
Pastor Jason Sentuf
(Gereja Pekabaran Injil
“Jalan Suci”, Papua)
Pastor Ishak Isir
(Gereja Baptis “Anugerah”
Indonesia)
Pastor Otto Kobak
(Gereja Injili Di Indonesia)
