FAQs
General
Finance
General
Why plant churches?
Because we believe God wants there to be local churches among unreached peoples. A local church is God's community in which people find ultimate fulfilment and spiritual destiny. It's the community through which he reveals himself to the world.
What does it mean to be 'unreached'?
An unreached people group is a group of people culturally united in language and ethnicity where less than two percent are evangelical Christian. It has understanding and/or acceptance barriers (What is a people group?)
What does it take to plant a church?
There are 3 key processes:
1. Share the stories of Jesus
2. Walk alongside those who are seeking him
3. Gather these seekers and new believers into communities of faith.
WEC believes that cross cultural ministry should be catalytic: our presence starts a reaction that leads to local movements of people into faith communities.
Where does WEC plant churches?
WEC has a ministry presence in more than 90 people groups in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Central Asia, the South Pacific and Latin America. Some WEC Centres primarily facilitate the sending of cross-cultural workers from local churches, while others catalyse new churches among unreached people groups.
Does WEC do aid and development?
God has called WEC to evangelise the least-reached as soon as possible, plant local churches and mobilise the church for missions. We believe that evangelistic and mercy ministries are 100% compatible and many of our teams are engaged in aid and development work as they evangelise, mobilise and plant churches.
What does WEC New Zealand do?
WEC New Zealand's mission is "mobilising courageous disciples and churches to join with WEC in reaching the least-reached peoples worldwide."
Does WEC work in teams?
Yes, there is a growing emphasis on teams throughout ministry in WEC. Our teams vary in size from three people upwards. WEC workers can expect to be part of a multicultural and multidenominational team.
What are the requirements to join WEC?
We’re looking for courageous followers of Jesus Christ to join with us in reaching the nations. We recognise that God has made each one of us fearfully and wonderfully, and because of this we are all uniquely shaped for life and ministry.
Criteria for beginning Candidate application process
People who want to join WEC must:
* Have the endorsement of their home church leadership to enter missions candidacy
* Agree with our statement of faith and our ethos / core values
* Have read the whole Bible
* Have evangelism & discipleship experience
* Be emotionally healthy and suited for the ministry they are interested in
* Enjoy a vital and growing relationship with God
For a thorough outline of criteria contact us.
What does WEC believe?
See our statement of faith.
What does W.E.C. stand for?
WEC stands for 'Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ' and reflects our desire to give the remaining unreached peoples an opportunity to respond to the gospel.
How are decisions made within WEC?
WEC operates from a principle of unanimity in decision making. That is, we have a confidence that God will speak to His people and we will best understand His will through seeking Him together and waiting and praying until unity of mind is reached.
What happens when a unanimous decision cannot be reached?
Where there is a strong sense of God’s direction but the field or team are unable to reach a point of unity, those with reservations are encouraged to acknowledge this and free the majority to move forward.
In a crisis where there is a serious division of opinion, no decision should be made without at least a day of prayer, humbling and fasting. If unity is not attained, then a two-thirds majority decision will be final.
Finance
How do people ministering in WEC get money?
For most Christians in New Zealand, God faithfully provides through a job, business, pension or some sort of economic activity. People in WEC, however, perform a service that generally does not produce an income, either for themselves or for WEC. As they share their vision for the world with churches, small groups and individuals, God faithfully provides financial support for our workers.
How do I give money to people ministering in WEC?
There are several ways to give to a person.
- Send a cheque payable to 'WEC International' (see address below) with a note designating who and what the money is for.
- Via direct deposit into WEC International's account. For further details please contact the Finance Office.
- There is also the opportunity to give in kind, especially when people are on home assignment. They may need housing, a car, or holiday accommodation.
Does WEC ask for money or make appeals?
WEC does not make financial appeals. Our priority in serving is always to give. Therefore finance is not a dominant feature of any singular communication or ministry unless there is a relational context that allows the WECer to take the initiative in talking about finance.
Does WEC pay a salary or wage?
No one in WEC receives a salary or wage from WEC. All people serving with WEC are volunteers, some full and others part time.
How do I arrange for WEC to receive a gift from my estate?
If you would like to arrange to leave WEC a gift as a part of your estate then please contact the NZ Director or Finance Office.
Is giving to WEC tax deductible / does it allow Donation Tax Credits?
Gifts to WEC workers who are overseas are not tax deductible. However, giving to WEC workers and work in New Zealand is deductible / does allow the donor to claim Donation Tax Credits.
Does WEC take a commission or administration fee?
2% of given support, which is capped at $60 per month, is requested from our workers.
Do people serving in WEC have to raise a certain amount of money before they can move into their ministry?
No. But as a guide, before people go to a ministry area for the first time they need to have their plane tickets in hand, set up costs, several month's living expenses, and a good indication of continued support.
How does WEC decide on the level of support a person requires?
Each field determines a guide as to basic living and ministry costs within the country. On top of that each person decides if they would like to add components such as superannuation, home assignment travel, or insurances. The final level of support, then, is different for each person.
What happens when people do not get enough support?
People serving in WEC who have low support are encouraged to seek the Lord in fellowship with their field leadership. If required the field will consult the wider leadership, including WEC New Zealand and their sending church/s to find solutions.
How does WEC the organisation get money to operate?
WEC the organisation does not have a large source of income and each person serving in WEC needs to see God, through his people or other means, provide both their personal and ministry needs. It does have some income through ministry activities, gifts, and bequests. Like all areas of WEC ministry, WEC New Zealand sees God provide for its role of facilitating Kiwis and their churches to plant churches among unreached people groups.
How does WEC plan for ministry if there is no regular income?
God directs our ministry, often challenging us to bold faith. Therefore, we do not let finance determine our ministry, rather God's hand on us as individuals and as a fellowship determines our ministry. Finances can be a part of the circumstances through which God guides us but they are never the only one.
Who do I contact to find out more information about finances and WEC?
WEC International New Zealand
35 College Drive
RD 1 Taupiri
3791
(07) 824 3211
0800 GOINTO (0800 464686)
info@wecnz.org