People seeking to serve for more than one year with AIM now require enhanced Bible-knowledge. This is to help ensure AIM has the best missionaries possible, resulting in Christ-centred churches among all of Africa’s peoples.
Applicants being processed in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, with a view to service from January 2010, are now required to meet a number of criteria. These can be met through accredited Bible college courses or other agreed training such as KYB, Perspectives or a church Bible study program. This applies to people of all professions and to husband and wife in the case of couples coming to serve.
As well as Bible skills, AIM is looking for people who have been well discipled and are practised in discipling others. Members serving with AIM International are encouraged to see spiritual, Biblical and missiological training as a life-long endeavour, and not just limited to pre-service preparation.
Before people can depart for service they need to meet requirements 1 to 5 below. While there is an advantage in having the remainder completed prior to departure, objectives 6 to 9 will not be required to be met until later, usually during the first term of service or first home assignment. Experience has shown people find it difficult to meet study requirements while abroad in service.
People joining AIM’s two-year cross-cultural training program, Training in Ministry Outreach (TIMO) from January 2010, are now required to satisfy 1 to 4 prior to departure. During TIMO they will satisfy 5, 7, 8 and 9.
1. Bible Survey – will be able to articulate the major redemptive story line of the Bible and the unity of the Biblical story.
2. Study of the Life of Christ combined with a study of key epistles – will be able to articulate what the Bible teaches about Jesus Christ by focusing on the Gospels’ witness to him and the way key apostolic writings (e.g. Romans) interpret his significance and message.
3. Doctrinal Study – will demonstrate a knowledge and belief of the primary Doctrines of the Bible as stated in the AIM Constitution Article 111.
4. Study of Inductive Bible Study Methods – will demonstrate an ability to think Biblically and apply Scripture to daily living.
5. Study in Christian formation and the spiritual disciplines – will demonstrate a knowledge of the spiritual disciplines and will evidence a maturing Christian walk.
6. Study of Church History – Will demonstrate a knowledge of the history of the church, and will evidence a high regard for the local church as God’s representative in the world
7. Study of the Biblical perspective on Missions, and practical missiology – will demonstrate an understanding of the Biblical view of missions and its practical implications
8. Study of the history of missions – will demonstrate an understanding of the work of the Spirit in unleashing the biblical story to the nations
9. Study the principles of Christian Education and communication, including their application in a cross cultural setting – will be able to communicate Christian truths effectively in personal witness and small groups.
Contact AIM Australia for more information on requirements for AIM workers and missionaries.
December 2010
