Our Distinctives

What Makes Interserve USA Distinctive?

1. Integrated view of ministry:  Humanitarian services are not a propaganda tool for the message of spiritual salvation, but part of ministry to the whole person.  We believe the purpose of mission is not limited to planting churches but is to glorify God by making disciples of all nations, and ministering to the needs of others in Jesus’ name.
   
2. Emphasis on the local church:  We believe the local body of believers is God’s intended vehicle for mission.  Interserve acts as a facilitator and extension of local churches’ involvement in worldwide ministry.  The local church commissions workers in Jesus’ name and the local church in the area of service is the base of evangelism and outreach.  All Partners are expected to identify with a local church both at home and overseas.  All partners are expected to support the development of the local church in their area of service, including planting new ones.
   
3. Interdenominational:  We are not non-denominational; we encourage pluralism and welcome the distinctives that each denomination brings to our fellowship.  Where possible we place Partners in ministries compatible with their own denominational background.  We also welcome partnerships with independent churches and congregations which seek to develop cross-cultural ministries as a local church, in 10/40 window fields.
   
4. Tentmaking:  Because we work in a part of the world that is hostile to missionaries as such, we gain access for the gospel through offering professional skills for the benefit of the people of the country in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ, without strings attached.  Tentmaking is more than creative access; it is a modeling of lay ministry, with integrity and a servant’s heart.
   
5. Cooperation:  We are willing to cooperate with anyone as long as we do not have to compromise the biblical nature of our witness.  We do so in order to demonstrate Christian unity and exercise responsible stewardship of resources.  We do not have, nor do we intend to begin, any “Interserve” projects.  Any new initiatives will be in the context of joint programs, cooperative efforts.  It is our goal to be in appropriate partnerships with others on every level.
   
6. Broadly Evangelical:  Interserve’s basis of faith is inclusive, within the bounds of our doctrinal statement.  In all other matters we admire and encourage personal conviction, but not divisiveness.  For example, we do not wish to be known as either “charismatic” or “non charismatic”, nor do we require conformity in worship styles or every detail regarding baptism, eschatology, etc.  We ask that no Partner push a doctrinal position not included in our Statement of Faith, in such a way as to alienate others in the Fellowship.
   
7. Discipleship:  The core of our calling is to bring individuals of all the nations in our area of service into a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.  Because of restrictions on public ministry in most countries, and because we believe it is Jesus’ model, we emphasize one-on-one discipling, the sharing of our gifts, knowledge, experience, and walk with Christ, with another person.  Friendship evangelism and leading small discipleship groups are the primary ministry skills to be developed and applied.
   
8. Federal in Government:  Interserve operates internationally with a federal system.  The various entities within Interserve (National Councils and fields) cede some authority to the international leadership team, while retaining some for themselves.  The International Office and staff have some responsibilities for facilitating communication as well as decision making and supervision regarding Regions and the Fellowship as a whole, but each field of service or National Council also has responsibilities for decisions regarding strategic planning and partner supervision in their geographic area.
   
9. International:  All National Councils are equal Partners in the Interserve organization.  We use simple English as a common, working language, but do not want to have any one dominant national or regional cultural ethos.  We are committed to cultural diversity in leadership, ways of doing business, worship, etc.
   
10. Affirming All the Gifts of the Body:  We base our service assignments on individual abilities, seeking to place people in positions appropriate to the way God has gifted them as well as their availability and the proximate needs.  In particular, we affirm that women can have and may exercise gifts for leadership, on any level of the Fellowship’s organization.
    
11. Targeting the hardest:  A comparison of Interserve’s areas of service with a map of the unreached peoples of the world will show virtual overlap.  We are working in the heartlands of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.  All our Partners work in an area in which roughly ninety percent of the world’s unreached peoples live but where only three percent of the missionaries work.  We therefore emphasize long-term, career service as the best way to do ministry in our areas.
    
12. Family:  We seek to be a community of faith, caring for one another on every level (social, spiritual, physical and emotional).  Healthy relationships are very important to us.  At the same time, we encourage the development of individual gifts and an appropriate independence in applying those gifts.