New Team Pack

Pioneering & Multiplication
A Practical Guide to Starting a New YWAM Team

A Work in Progress

YWAM Western Europe

You may download this document as a pdf file by clicking on this link and opening the file with Adobe Acrobat Reader [[Media:New Teams Pack (draft 5).pdf |New Teams Pack]]

Introduction
It's so exciting that you are dreaming of starting something or going somewhere new to share God's love with different people. You are probably feeling a mixture of emotions: excited, enthusiastic, daunted, challenged.

Whether you are thinking about pioneering in the UK, somewhere in Europe or the ends of the earth, you need to think through and plan how you are going to build something that will last. This booklet is a guide to help you think through all the different stages and processes.

Remember you are not alone; there are people to help you in this. We, in YWAM Western Europe, want to see you succeed.

Strategy on planting new teams is constantly evolving. One way of describing current strategy might be this:

One of the strengths of this process is that it breaks a long term plan into bite size pieces. Becoming fully established in an area can take years and this booklet is a guide to help you get there. This pack is not meant to restrict or burden you and indeed can be implemented in various ways. Every pioneering situation is different. Aspects of pioneering will be easy in some locations / ministries but painstakingly difficult in others. Some teams will find favour in certain areas where as others will find favour in totally different areas. Work with what you've got. Don't compare. Listen to God and work with your location / team, with your calling whatever that looks like. Have freedom to be yourself. The more you function out of who you are the easier you will make the process on yourself.

One thing that is crucially important is to hear from God and be praying every step of the way. If He has said 'go', nothing is insurmountable.

Stage 0 - I'm a YWAMer
You have joined a mission known for its pioneering and you might be sensing the Holy Spirit prompting you to start a new team – but don’t yet know where, what or with whom. Remember God can speak to you through experience, what you enjoy and what God brings blessing to, so try a few things. Get involved in what is already happening where you are and see where God takes you.

In order to see new teams and ministries birthed, it is the responsibility of current teams and bases to be encouraging each and every person in YWAM that might be led to start a new team or ministry and continuously be talking and praying about starting new teams and ministries.

Remember the motto of YWAM is ‘To Know God and make Him known’, so don’t be surprised if you do end up doing something completely new and different.

Stage 1 Eye on: Plan to Start Team or Ministry with focus on specific location or ministry
This is the first stage; the dreaming and strategising.

1. Look for a guide or support Person

An important and foundational part of your journey is to find someone who can support you, encourage you and even guide you through the process of starting a new team – as much or as little as you need. In choosing your guide, you should select someone whom you can trust and have confidence that they will be able to help you start the team/ministry you have in mind.

YWAM is a rich well of resource from which to draw from. With over 50 years of experience in planting new teams, there will be someone who can assist and support you in starting and establishing a new team. Initially that guide may be on the same team as you; it may be a couple of people.

For example, YWAM has some people specifically available for guidance through all stages of planning and implementing a new team. In addition there exists specialist knowledge, skills and experience that you can draw from in areas such as children & youth, street ministries, cross-cultural outreach, evangelism, fund-raising, church planting and prayer. Ask around and take advantage of this previous experience available to you.

2. Choose a location

This could be done in multiple ways. You may live there already, have been brought up there, visited and it has stayed in your heart, had someone suggest the idea and God was speaking to you through it.

It is important to scout out the land. Go and have a look, get a feel for the place. Ask God to speak to you while you visit about His plan for that city / town / area. Write it down and keep a note of all that God says.

3. Decide what you will do

Has God given you specific areas of society to focus on? Is there a particular group of people you love and want to see God known among them? What are the needs you see? Ask God what He wants to do in that city/area – what is YWAM's role or voice in that place? Hold it in prayer until it becomes real (inside you) that you can step naturally into it. Research what is already happening in that area as well as what has happened previously in the area – what has YWAM done (outreaches, youth events etc) and what involvement other missions organisations have had. Try to find out about how the local churches work together, are they united? Are they open to others coming in? Have they experienced YWAM before? God speaks about His original plan through this process.

4. Get advice

Consult early and broadly with wise council but particularly your local leaders/ national leaders. Start with prayer, personally, in groups and in the location you want to go to. Get wider prayer cover. Nurture the vision in your spirit.

Information on the knowledgebase helped YWAM Taunton to understand the history of YWAM in the south west of England; the challenges, successes and helped them to plan better as they re-pioneered in this area.

Welcome input from others: pursue people that are more mature or have been where you are that you can learn from or glean wisdom from; visit other locations to help sharpen your own vision; welcome objective perspectives to what you are doing as well as constructive criticism from people you trust.

The YWAM knowledgebase is an ever growing amount of information about every aspect of YWAM and ministry. Some of it is very current, some of it has been there a while.


 * "Information on the knowledgebase helped us understand the history of YWAM in the South West of England; the challenges, successes and helped us to plan better as we re-pioneered this area." YWAM Taunton in the South West of England

If you feel God guiding you to start a new work and your team leader disagrees or it doesn't fit with the vision of that location, talk through the reasons and listen carefully. If you still want to pursue it, talk with the National Leader or National Core Team. It may be that your vision fits better with another team.

5. Write a Vision and Strategy Paper (VSP)

Vision statements tend to develop gradually. When a new team was starting in Northern Italy, the leaders spent half a day each week for most of a year with their guide to get to the point where it was clear what God was saying and where there were to start. Even then, when the team began, parts of the plan changed and grew and developed while other parts were pruned. The Vision Statement then is an ongoing developing document.

So, as the plan develops as clearly as possible, lay out what God has said to you about what He is calling you to, what your vision is and how you are going to get there. Develop clear vision/mission statements and strategic processes, both for the short and long term: 5 or 10 year plans. You need to be able to communicate the vision early on. Think and ask who you should go to if you find this difficult.

This is a developing process. It is not likely that the detail will be possible until the team has come together. So, it may be broad brushstrokes and what you feel God has said thus far. Set goals — There are many different models for goal setting, eg SMART. As much as you can at this early stage, develop broad goals but with specific steps. For the long term multiplication of the ministry, make sure you are always thinking beyond your location and not too internally: city — nation — world.

Ask yourself, "How do I stay connected with YWAM's larger vision of the nation?"

Each team's vision statement will look different. There are examples of VSP' from 2 teams given on the knowledgebase so that you can see what others have done. Work on your own vision and strategy; initially you may copy others but it will develop into your own vision. Once the team is up and running you should regularly sit together and talk and pray and review the vision to see how God is leading you to fulfil and grow it.

Have fun with it – dream big.


 * Specific
 * Measurable
 * Attainable
 * Realistic
 * Time-framed

6. Intentional training

How do you get ready and what do you need to be ready? What skills are important as you start out? What is out there? There is always a tension between developing as a leader and yet also developing the ministry skills needed. Try to keep a healthy balance between the two.

Do you need to develop skills in evangelism, leadership, mercy ministries, church planting, starting a business, minimum bookkeeping and administrative functions, fundraising? There are YWAM's UofN training programs, such as Leadership Development Courses, Schools of Evangelism, Schools of Frontier Missions, Principles in Youth and Children's Ministry, School of Islamic Studies that you may consider to help you for your journey ahead. It may be worthwhile settling into your new location / ministry before considering further training to have a better idea of what training you will need. However, it may be better to get training before you go that you aren't leaving for several months just as you're getting starting. If you can't go yourself, spend time with someone who has so they can impart their knowledge and learning to you.

Ask around and find out what is available both in and out of YWAM. Look out for people you can learn from and glean all that you can from them.

Stage 2 - One Foot In
This stage is planning, making connections, talking, visiting, praying, prayer walking, exploring, trying out, experimenting, meeting local people, finding out the needs and opportunities. Looking at the skills that might be needed and how I could get them....

1. A Guide to Writing a Memorandum of Understanding Look at the Appendix for A Guide to Writing a Memorandum of Understanding.

Write a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with your team members and a supporting base

It is helpful to have a strong partnership with a sending base / team, if possible. Accountability, spiritual and legal oversight and support are all key elements to this. As with the Vision and Strategy Paper, each Memorandum of Understanding is specifically discussed and written for each new team.

2. Find/recruit team members

Now that you have a vision, you can start talking about it and describing it to others. Share what you are excited about with friends, DTS trainees, SOE and other YWAM school trainees and anyone interested. Use social media and the internet. One of the best places to recruit is from your sending team – we believe in generosity!

We strongly recommend that you pioneer a new ministry with at least one other person (other than a spouse) so that you can make decisions together, pray through issues and be a support for one another. Know what your gaps are, try to think through what roles need to be filled and pray for God to send people to fill those gaps. Those that have not yet done a DTS can join your team for a while (up to a year?) and then do a DTS, or you could later provide an urban-based DTS so that ministry and training can run alongside each another.

Time commitments from team members preferably would be a minimum of 2 years, with a willingness to continue. It takes time to build something in a new place and if possible you don't want your team regularly changing. Although the commitment of the team leader should be much longer than this, establishing something takes years.

3. Network with people in the location

Look for a "Person of Peace". Keep looking for the people who will open doors for you. They may know lots of people in the town, they may know how 'things are done' in the area. They may be well connected with local government, local churches, money, resources etc. God has gone ahead of you to prepare the way for you. You just need to find out what He has done to prepare for you. Visit and get to know people. Plough the ground, invest time and begin relationships. If you have had a regular involvement for a year beforehand, when you move you are already there. If proximity to that place is harder in terms of distance, then look for summer service opportunities or projects to support once in a while. Take short term teams; bless the local people and churches.

4. PR Strategy

Create a website or a blog – get help from IT experts from your sending base if you are unsure about this. In YWAM England, the preferred web address is .org. Having an email address the same as the website adds a look of professionalism, although it's not essential, likewise with business cards. Create a Facebook page and invite everyone you know. Create a flier that you distribute everywhere. Remember to get these proof checked – you don't want a spelling mistake which so easily happens. Be willing and active to accept speaking engagements: in churches, youth groups, YWAM teams / DTS's.

5. Support in Place

You should have an ability to create your own personal support network. Develop a supporters' network to include prayer, finances, personal well-being with regular newsletters. Newsletters may include blogs, emails, written letters, phone calls, facebook, twitter etc.

For advice on this go to YWAM Heidebeek's fundraising website.

There are also people throughout Western Europe who can help and advise you.

For more information look at the appendix: Financial Boundaries and Guidelines.

6. Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

In many ways this could have a booklet all to itself. If you are in the will of God then you should probably expect some serious spiritual warfare. Don't be surprised when it comes along, you shouldn't think something's wrong and don't shouldn't give up. The Oval community faced eviction for a long time and huge financial challenges. The Derby base burnt down before the team even began ministry there. Leicester faced a number of challenges including severe financial struggles and having thier home targeted by unpleasant youths for a prolonged period. There may be times when you wonder if you can keep going. It's normal. Be honest with friends, leaders and guides about what's going on, so that you do not begin to feel isolated.

Stage 3 Two Feet In: Team Up and Running
The team is beginning to come together: ministry is beginning, facilities found. It's possible that the leaders of the team have moved, but not yet all the team. You may be hosting visiting teams but nothing permanent yet.

This is the exciting point of actually moving to your new location or launching the ministry.

1. The Vision

The vision will become clearer as you begin to set up the team and ministry. Putting the vision into practice is when God confirms direction and action.

2. Find a place to live, work and meet If you are starting a new location, make a list of what you need and the most accurate budget you can - how many people, cost, accommodation, space/meeting room. Have faith and believe that God provides for all your needs and more. Ask Him where you should look and what He wants to provide for you and your team.

Think about what time of year you want to move. Different seasons can affect the mood of you and your team; summer is perhaps more optimistic than winter.

3. Communication



There are so many different ways of communicating today. Take initiative and be creative. Don't expect others to do it for you. Always be ready with a small flier / postcard with brief information and contact details to give out when people ask.

Within your team, keep communications flowing regularly. Meet regularly (at least once a week initially) to pray, sharpen each other, eat together, communicate and minister to one another. Have a centre point for internal communication like a whiteboard/pin board. Always be inclusive; cc people on emails, make sure married couples are kept in the loop for example the spouse/parent who might not be in the meeting. Include everyone in team decision making – others might be leading their own team soon so include them in the thinking process so they can learn as you go.

In YWAM, keep connecting to regional leaders and sending base, and enable a good flow from upper to lower levels. Use existing YWAM resources. Look at EUROCOM COMPACK tool (on knowledge base). Find like minded people to sharpen one another, link into existing networks. Perhaps link with other teams nearby to pray with and cross pollinate with. It is healthy to regularly visit other bases and connect with ministries/outreach elsewhere.

To the world, use social networking sites, email your news regularly. Put time aside to plan what a website, blog or other media might include so you can direct people to more detailed information and perhaps recruit more staff and interns. Listen to teachings and get a flavor for what God is doing in our world today. Watch the news / sport and be aware of what is happening outside of our Christian bubble. This will help you in your intercessions or even conversation starters with new people.

4. Process with the National Leadership Team Every new team does need to be approved through the National Leadership Team. This team is there to support YWAM teams in the nation and should be aware of what is happening in the country. Often they know the wider perspective of what is happening in the nation and will be able to advise the team of the bigger picture.

5. Outworking of and Engagement with YWAM DNA/Values

Being a small team means you need to think about your key values and DNA and how you carry and outwork YWAM Values and DNA. These should be expressed in your MOU. See the YWAM Foundational Values. Having to be in non Christian environments everyday forces you to pray more. New teams shouldn't try to recreate their mother base in miniature form. Think about supporting other bases in certain projects; go and pray for other bases. Talk about the YWAM values and how we are living them out. How can we, as a team, work on this?

Attend big YWAM gatherings such as conferences or prayer gatherings, to be in the midst of the heart of YWAM, particularly the YWAM National Gathering for all staff, families and trainees (the Annual General Meeting is also held at this time). Get ongoing support and coaching from others in YWAM (particularly a new YWAM center/location). Get in guest speakers to bring God's word, challenge and inspire. Having relational support and regular visits make you feel connected to the wider vision. National leadership forums are worthwhile to strategise, communicate and seek God together.

Enjoy the network get togethers, particularly the Small Teams Network (for England) and any others that interest you. They are all open groups, where anyone is welcome.

6. Networking skills with pastors and church leaders and local leaders

A skill to learn; we cannot ignore relationships with local churches in a given location. Even if it's just open communication, that's better than silence. This process hopefully has started already in Stage 1 and 2 as you develop relationship with the city before you go.

Introduce yourself to local pastors. It is really important to ask the question: 'Where are the potential partnerships for ministry?', 'How can we serve you (training, serving, support, projects?', 'how can we help them (churches) grow?' However, don't make promises you can't follow through on. Will they make space for you? Make sure they have understood what you have said!!  You are not moving to do your 'own' thing; you want to link into and strengthen what is already spiritually happening in that area, although you may be doing something different practically. If you are going to a closed country this may be more difficult. Ask God to give you a person of peace and the right connections.

7. Being a missional presence in a strategic location

What is missional presence? – Missional presence is more than doing outreach once a week on a Friday. It might not be daily but maybe it should be. What are the needs of your community? How are they being met or not met? What partnerships are available with church, organisations and government? Do the local churches have combined worship and prayer sessions? Can you help to support them? What is the spiritual inheritance and anointing of the area? Show the gospel at all times through lifestyle but also look for the gaps. No one will be threatened by you focussing on places no one else wants to be, i.e. church for drug addicts. Having a focus on the 10/40 window is great but should this be at the cost of local outreach? Try to have a balance of both. If a new team is preparing to move to somewhere in Africa in 2 years, where will they get their 'practical' training? Are there people groups in your community they can get to know?

Think about such things as, what's your proximity to city centre? Ease of transportation? Nearness to other local ministries? Is there a university? Church planting opportunities – among other nationalities, arts centre, business people, gay centre?

Do regular evangelism in the area, creative and varied. Work with local churches. Aim towards having a voice of influence both within the church but also in society. We want to be light in the darkness and bear fruit in the Kingdom.

Avoid unnecessary duplication. Have a regular and strategic prayer/intercessory presence: 24-7 prayer rooms, prayer walking. Try to have access to intentional basic and perhaps ongoing evangelism training. This might be in-house or getting it from somewhere else. Create a 'reflective practice' environment that is small group based - regularly thinking about what you doing, how they are doing, how to improve etc. Include mentoring relationships. Perhaps it is helpful for DTS's and other staff of larger training bases to go and visit other YWAM locations to see what they are doing and share good practice. You don't have to focus on just one project or ministry, a small team can have a surprising amount of hands in different pies as well as utilising non YWAM volunteers (such as local youth workers or ex YWAMers). Think through theologically why YWAM should be present in a location in terms of missions and evangelism.

You will learn how to persevere, how to be determined, persistent, indomitable and how to keep going when it gets tough.

Stage 4 Many Feet Out
This is when you are recognised both inside and outside YWAM as a ministry in your area and you are looking to multiply the team or ministry into another location. Multiplication will only happen when you are thinking about making yourself redundant at some point. From the start, be thinking about how others could do what you are doing. There are separate guidelines for becoming a charity. Here are just a few points of what you should know. Responsibilities as a team leader And each team should write their own team priorities. And they should end up in your Memorandum of Understanding.

Legal Responsibilities

In the UK it is a legal requirement to have policies in the following areas: These policies can normally be obtained from your Personnel team, but your guide will know where to look. Make sure you have a copy of these for your location. Every staff member must be registered as self employed and do tax returns each year if here for longer than 6 months. Everyone working with children or vulnerable adults, or leading someone who does, must have a police check (Disclosure & Barring Service - DBS). If you have questions, ask – it's important to get this right. New Staff Applying
 * Protection for Children and Vulnerable Adults
 * Privacy
 * Health & Safety
 * Health & Hygiene

Up until this point your team member's applications will have been processed in conjunction with your supporting base, so you will have some understanding of the process. It will save you a lot of time and effort to use existing application forms. Ask the personnel office at your sending base for copies and advice on this process. Have a copy of and follow the Personnel Procedures Document (purple folder) and Visa Information Document.

Sharing knowledge and experience

There are many different ways to share your lessons, experiences and vision. Here are a few:
 * The Knowledge Base www.ywamkb.net has a wealth of information that you can use and add to.
 * The Advance Magazine is distributed to supporters, friends and members of YWAM England bimonthly and is regularly looking for articles.
 * Incarnationalgraffitti.com is a YWAM blog site aimed at provoking creativity, missional thinking, dialogue and spirituality engaging in an urban Europe
 * Social networking provides quick and easy ways of sharing what you are up to.

Helpful contacts

You will need to find out who is available in your nation and in YWAM Europe to help with some of the following key things. In England and Wales we have the following:
 * Visas – Sarah Opper in Wrexham visaoffice@ywamengland.org
 * Self Employment and Tax Help – Anne Sloan in Harpenden
 * Personnel – Anne Sloan in Harpenden
 * National Operations (legal, financial) – Dale Lambert in Harpenden
 * DBS Child and Vulnerable People Protection – Sandi Robb
 * U of N Office for registering schools – Mandi Dreyer registrar ema@uofn.edu
 * Communications – ?

Becoming a separate charity

Once you have become a fully established team / location, you can start looking into becoming your own charity. There are plenty of people and information to help you in this process, so much so it required a further pack. Well done for getting this far. May God bless you in your adventures into knowing Him more and making Him known in the process. Now make yourself redundant to encourage multiplication.

Jesus said in Luke 10 'I have given you all authority'

Rationale: Why must we start new teams?
It is a privilege to serve God and play a part in seeing His kingdom come. Several different perspectives persuade us that the key mechanism for seeing His kingdom reach the whole world is the massive multiplication of teams that will reach into every people group and every aspect of society. God's way of blessing all peoples is to send us as part of teams and ministries into each people group, to be near every person.

Loren Cunningham, founder of YWAM

Loren was asked about the future of YWAM. "What would I want to see? If everyone were able to do the will of God for their life, that would be the greatest thrill. Now what would be the outcome? I believe the outcome would be thousands and thousands and tens of thousands of new ministries, born, pioneered, started and released out to serve the world. So the outcome would be they would begin serving the Lord in a way that would change the world. So if I look back on YWAM a hundred years from now, I would like to say they started a hundred thousand or hundreds of thousands of ministries and that to me would be the most fulfilling thing I could think about." See the video, "Loren Cunningham talks YWAM"

And recall the vision God gave to Loren about the waves of young people crashing onto all the continents and nations of the world.

YWAM Global

Omega zones — We are committed to a project of seeing ministries active in each of the 4k zones around the world, particularly amongst the least reached. Read the information about YWAM's Project 4k and then check out the websites.

David Hamilton – This is YWAM! DNA Norway clip.

YWAM's Global Leadership endorsed a paper of pioneering new teams saying "YWAM applauds the release of new pioneering efforts and challenges our staff to innovate and multiply in order to fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.Therefore, both the sending location and receiving location will welcome and facilitate pioneers to begin new YWAM ministries, allowing them to pursue their dreams and vision without unnecessary requirements or hindrances.Concretely, this means that every receiving entity must welcome the entry of new teams into their sphere; and every new team must begin developing relationships with the local YWAMers immediately upon arrival, or better yet, before." For the full paper 'Pioneering New Ministries in YWAM'

YWAM Western Europe

In YWAM Western Europe we are committed to seeing multiplication of teams in Europe. These teams will be engaged in the whole range of outreach activities including church planting, pregnancy counseling, working with women, training and supporting churches in evangelism, children's work, cafe/restaurant outreach.... See the video, "YWAM Poised and on the Brink"

Strategic

Multiplying new teams and ministries is not only the best way of reaching the billions of people with the gospel, it is the only way. There are millions of people in thousands of cities, towns and communities who will remain effectively isolated from the gospel until someone comes and initiates something new where they are. See the essay entitled "Why plant churches" by Tim Keller

Humility suggests that we will be only one of the many groups that take part, but we want to do all that God has for us!

New Teams Skills List
Over a couple of years we did a survey among hundreds of YWAMers in Europe and asked the question, "What skills were absolutely essential in starting your new team or ministry. This list then is not just what we thing might be needed, but what was essential, what they needed to survive and then flourish as a team. Look at the list and consider how and when and where you might pick up the skills. Spend time with another team, do a YWAM school, go to university, adult education college, find a mentor....

Everything on this page was identified by people who were working in new teams in urban areas in W Europe. As such, it is a pretty accurate list of what is really needed in starting a new urban team and not a selection of good ideas of what might be helpful. Each person who contributed to this list were answering the question, "What skills, abilities and competencies might be needed to start a new team in Europe?" And this is not an exhaustive list, it is a work in progress.

Skills and behaviours needed when starting a team


 * Hearing from God
 * Choosing a location. (incl. Reconnaissance)
 * Deciding what to do. (incl. prototyping)
 * Finding/recruiting team members
 * Raising some money to start for me, team members and team ministry
 * Getting permission to start
 * Getting ongoing support and coaching from others in YWAM to start. (particularly a new YWAM team/location)
 * Making local contacts
 * Finding a place to live
 * Finding a place to work and meet
 * Prayer
 * Communication in YWAM
 * Communication to the world
 * Networking skills with pastors and church leaders and local leaders
 * Skills in Evangelism
 * Inventing new evangelism strategies
 * Skills in mercy ministries
 * Skills in church planting
 * Starting a business
 * Ability to create your own personal support network
 * Minimum bookkeeping and administrative functions
 * Team bonding and healthy team/community life
 * How to be pigheaded (a figure of speech meaning, stubborn, determined, persistent, indomitable) and keep going when it gets tough
 * Sharing knowledge and experience through the KnowledgeBase etc

Other skills


 * Releasing
 * Strategizing
 * Category: Creativity
 * Offering a Workshop: How can I take my vision and put it into practice. Making strategic step by step plans. Practical steps to take back and work on
 * Spiritual warfare in pioneering

Then What?


 * How do I multiply my team?
 * How do I develop my own skills and leadership further?
 * How do I find my voice in YWAM?
 * How do we network with the rest of YWAM and involve them in what we are doing?
 * How do we measure how well we are doing?
 * How do we bring it to a good close if we need to?

This is not an exhaustive list neither will you have to do everything on this list. It is simply a menu to select from.

A Guide to Writing A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Here are some points to get you started in the process.

Accountability


 * This is important for the work that you are doing and on a personal level. It may be different people for different areas. This is especially important for areas such as your objectives, finances, spiritual life, moral standards. If you are going to a different nation, your sending nation might be defined more in terms of pastoral cover……… Start with a smart plan. (It's OK if it is a basic/simple SMART plan) How can someone keep you accountable to something if they don't know what your objectives are? Also try to define 'accountability' and what your expectations are. This is not about control; it's about support. There should be a pass over of authority and responsibility to the local team.


 * Who should they be accountable to? At least 2 of the following (but not just 4 and 5):


 * 1) Regional leaders (sending nation but more importantly the nation they are in)  See GLT notes: Appendix.
 * 2) The sending base
 * 3) Member care
 * 4) Local leaders: YWAM or other spiritual leader
 * 5) Partner

Spiritual Support


 * There should be a commitment to pray for each other from both the sending base/team and the new team.
 * There should be commitment to share burdens. If something is worrying you, talk about it.

Legal Oversight

Support from a Helper or Guide
 * The partner base should cover the new team with legal & accounts covering (although you need to keep accounts records) until they become their own charity. However, you are responsible for personal legalities, eg. Employment status and tax returns.
 * There is currently an overarching liability insurance for the whole of YWAM England, and should be for each nation, of which each established team contribute to the cost of. If you are going to another country you will need to find out about this.
 * Make sure the new team is protected from all the red tape and bureaucracy that the sending base might put onto a new team which might be unnecessary.  New teams don't want to be sucked into lots of pointless decision making policies.


 * How many visits does a team need? Monthly, quarterly? Actual visits or phone calls/emails?  You should have clear people to connect with.   Attend network meetings.
 * Their 'contact' person needs to be the right person.
 * There should be a minimum of a 2 year commitment, with a willingness to continue.

Anything else you think is relevant. This is a mutual agreement from both sides, decided through discussion.

Pioneering New Ministries in YWAM
Isaiah 62:10: ‘Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.’

August 2008 – YWAM GLT Working Paper

YWAM applauds the release of new pioneering efforts and challenges our staff to innovate and multiply in order to fulfil the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Therefore, both the sending location and receiving location will welcome and facilitate pioneers to begin new YWAM ministries, allowing them to pursue their dreams and vision without unnecessary requirements or hindrances. Concretely, this means that every receiving entity must welcome the entry of new teams into their sphere; and every new team must begin developing relationships with the local YWAMers immediately upon arrival, or better yet, before.

Because of YWAM’s relational nature, whether you are sender, receiver or pioneer, be proactive in effective relationship by excellent and continued communication and cooperation with the others involved. Make time to listen and understand each other’s hearts, clarifying hopes, expectations and concerns. Extend and build trust, believing the highest/best in the others involved. In every geographic location on earth, YWAM has leadership in place that is responsible for the coordination, facilitation, and over-sight of YWAM activities there. Our leaders have cleared paths, gained valuable local experience, and prayed diligently for more workers among the people they have loved and served. Welcome their advice and include them in your planning. Our leaders desire to multiply and pray for workers from their own locations to be sent out elsewhere to begin new ministries. We encourage this releasing attitude and trust that our pioneers will be freely sent out and commended from existing ministries and schools.

Because YWAM values decentralization, we believe that local accountability and care is in the best interest of the individuals entrusted to us. Ideally, a ministry that commissions and sends out a new team will continue to love and support those sent out even though they relinquish their over-sight responsibility as these rightfully begin to relate to YWAM leadership in their new region.

YWAM desires to empower its ministries and pioneer teams by giving them freedom to decide on their own vision, residence, and YWAM staff  additions, rather than leaving such decisions to the leadership in either sending or receiving regions. However, all ministries and pioneer teams must use care to protect our existing ministries and staff within a nation by honouring any legal status and responsibilities to which YWAM may be subject within that nation regarding our YWAM name, ministries, properties, finances and visa requirements.

YWAM respects the countries and peoples among which we minister. We believe that prioritising language and cultural study is helpful in launching more effective and enduring ministries. This also helps to nurture humility and a learner attitude in our workers.

Financial Boundaries and Guidelines for Pioneering Teams
It is important to know what you financially need and what you are spending. Raise some money for yourself, fellow team members and the team's ministries. Have a realistic budget and accurate record keeping – you need to know what's going on. Accounts are easier to keep on top of if you do it as you go.

Initially it is ideal for your accounts to go through your sending base for at least the first year or two. As an exception, it can also go through your national accounts. So you do not need to start your own bank account. Work out the details of how you can work together with your sending base and what your expectations are on both sides. This ought to be included in the Memorandum of Understanding between you and your sending base.

If YWAM contributes to paying the rent on any property, eg for hosting teams, then the property needs to be leased in the name of YWAM, approved by the board of the charity that your are a part of. Alternatively you may rent privately using your own name.

Ask for guidance and help. Whomever you have asked to guide your team should know where to turn for answers. Here is a basic template of an excel sheet you can use. There is a formula in the box to help you.



There are various people who know how to do this that can help you. Keep all receipts and show what your expense was used for.

Be generous. You cannot out give God. He is a generous God so follow His example. There will be times of financial difficulty, but God will never leave us without what we need, especially when we're being generous.