In Our "Whatever" World, Do Standards Matter?

What would our world be like without standards? Where would we be without some measure of comparison for quantitative or qualitative value Batting averages and marathon times would be meaningless. Prescriptions would be dangerous. Professionals, purchases, products, organizations, and businesses would not merit our confidence. We would be lost in a sea of confusion and fear. Only by adhering to an exact and acknowledged standard can performance, products, people, and even our best plans be measured.

 

Dr. James Dobson in Dare to Discipline relates the study where social psychologists observed elementary school children in a playground protected by a high fence. The children ran with abandon, playing joyfully within the confines of the fence, unaware and unworried about the busy street just a few feet from the play area. Some theorists decided that the fence was too restrictive, that it inhibited the children, and that they should have more freedom. So, the fence came down.

 

When the children entered the playground the next day, instead of running with their previous abandon, they tended to huddle together at the center of the play area. Unsure of their limits, they appeared insecure and fearful. The conclusion was and is clear: We need normative parameters in life. We need fences. We need standards. We need to know where the limits are. We can then live within those limits, within those standards, with creativity and freedom.

 

To periodically review our CrossGlobal Link standards and to evaluate our performance within those standards is healthy. We are reassured that we are adhering to exacting theological, financial, relational, and moral standards. Reassured, as well, are our friends, pastors, supporters, and the Christian public.

 

I encourage you to read these CrossGlobal Link member agency standards. Let us praise God for His sustaining grace as we all “take pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men” (II Cor. 8:21).

 

Since its beginning in 1917 CrossGlobal Link (then called Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association of North America) has maintained definite requirements of its member missions. In the area of finances, from its beginning, the association has insisted that members demonstrate accountability of all funds received and practice full financial disclosure. Theologically, CrossGlobal Link has never wavered from its strong biblical position. The association’s high standards have gained for it and its members a reputation of proven excellence and integrity. Thus, the Christian public can support CrossGlobal Link missions in full confidence.

 

CrossGlobal Link Standards

Membership Standards

1. Each mission subscribes unreservedly to and reaffirms annually the CrossGlobal Link Bylaws, Confession of Faith, Standards, and Policy on Relationships.
2. Each mission is approved by and reviewed regularly by the CrossGlobal Link Board.
3. Each mission participates in activities of CrossGlobal Link (including the Annual Meeting), contributes dues, and submits an annual statistical report.
4. Membership is open to:
   a. Sending organizations involved in cross-cultural ministry which have as primary objectives evangelism and establishing and/or developing churches.
   b. Service organizations operating in support and furtherance of the objectives of evangelical cross-cultural missions and/or evangelical national churches.
   

Doctrinal Standards and Purpose

1. Each mission has clearly stated articles of faith consistent with the CrossGlobal Link Confession of Faith, and maintains a non-charismatic orientation.
2. Each mission gives evidence satisfactory to the association as to the purpose and rationale for its existence.
3. Each mission is involved only in programs and activities that are consistent with its stated purpose and those of CrossGlobal Link.

Organizational Standards

1. Each mission is governed by an active board that demonstrates organizational control, including broad policy-making authority.
   a. The board is composed of at least seven members.
   b. A majority of the board members are nonstaff and not immediate family members.
   c. The board meets at least semi-annually.
   d. Membership for church-based mission initiatives and other unique mission structures may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
2. Each mission has sufficient personnel to make it a viable organization able to carry out its purposes and to meet CrossGlobal Link standards.
   

Financial Standards

1. Each mission demonstrates financial responsibility by issuing an annual financial report prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, audited by a chartered accountant or certified public accountant in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
2. Each mission prepares financial statements that are consistent with the CrossGlobal Link-sponsored Accounting and Financial Reporting Guide for Christian Ministries (published by the Evangelical Joint Accounting Committee). Minimum financial statements include a balance sheet, a statement of activity, a statement of changes in financial position, and notes to the financial statements.
3. Each mission has an active audit or finance committee, a majority of whom are nonstaff, which is responsible to:
   a. Maintain a direct line of communication between the board and the external auditors.
   b. Assist the board in fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities relating to accounting and reporting practices.
   c. Insure that there is no conflict of interest in its financial operations.
4. Each mission submits a copy of its audited annual financial report to the CrossGlobal Link office, and will furnish a copy of its financial statements to the public upon request.
5. Each mission uses no more for its administration and fund-raising than is reasonable for its size and purpose.
6. Each mission exercises faith in God for the provision of needs without strong solicitation of funds.
7. Each mission uses all donated funds for the purposes for which they are accepted. No payment by percentage of receipts will be given to any consultant or persons involved in fund-raising activities.

Operational Standards

1. Each mission maintains a reputation for integrity and stability in all its operations in North America and overseas, practices high ethical standards, and avoids all conflicts of interest.
2. Each mission conducts a thorough survey before entering a new geographic area or people group. Before starting the ministry, consultation is held with other evangelical missions and/or churches working in the area or among the people group.
   

Personnel Standards

1. Each mission carefully assigns and supervises its personnel in order to practice good stewardship and achieve maximum effectiveness in the use of gifts, abilities, and training of missionaries and staff.
2. As an evidence of Christian integrity and mutual respect, any member mission considering recruitment of a person from another Christian organization is expected to consult with the leadership of that organization before entering into serious negotiations.
3. Any member mission considering acceptance into its fellowship of a person under discipline or released for any reason by another Christian organization is expected to consult with the leadership of that organization before proceeding.
4. Each member mission has a board-approved sexual conduct policy for its membership.
5. Each member mission has a board-approved conflicts of interest policy.
   

Confession of Faith

The member missions do affirm and declare their belief in and defense of the historic Christian faith as set forth in the following:

1. We believe that the Bible, consisting of Old and New Testaments only, is verbally inspired by the Holy Spirit, is inerrant in the original manuscripts, and is the infallible and authoritative Word of God.
2. We believe that the one triune God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Adam, created in the image of God, was tempted by Satan, the god of this world, and fell. Because of Adam’s sin, all men have guilt imputed, are totally depraved, and need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit for salvation.
4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God, was born of a virgin, died vicariously, shed His blood as man’s substitutionary sacrifice, rose bodily, and ascended to heaven, where He is presently exalted at the Father’s right hand.
5. We believe that salvation consists of the remission of sins, the imputation of Christ’s righteousness, and the gift of eternal life received by faith alone, apart from works.
6. We believe that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent, and that it will be visible and personal.
7. We believe that the saved will be raised to everlasting life and blessedness in heaven, and that the unsaved will be raised to everlasting and conscious punishment in hell.
8. We believe that the church, the body of Christ, consists only of those who are born again, who are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ at the time of regeneration, for whom He now makes intercession in heaven and for whom He will come again.
9. We believe that Christ commanded the church to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person, baptizing and teaching those who believe.

Conflicts of Interest Policy

The first sentence of Article I in the CrossGlobal Link Bylaws states:

 

"The purpose of this association shall be to establish standards of accountability and integrity..." In this light, CrossGlobal Link has a mandate to conduct all of its affairs decently and above reproach both in the sight of God and man. That accountability includes a commitment to operate with the highest level of integrity and to avoid conflicts of interest. Any potential conflict of interest on the part of any official board member, CrossGlobal Link staff, and/or their families shall be disclosed by such member in writing to the board at least annually and made a matter of record. Conflicts of interest may arise in, but are not limited to: the supply of goods and services, the leasing of equipment, purchase or sale of real estate, investments or other property, honoraria or royalties for properties or services provided by CrossGlobal Link, its board, or employees. If board members, CrossGlobal Link staff and/or their families are in a position of potential favor for services rendered, bids for said services shall be served.
When any such interest becomes relevant to any subject requiring action by the board or any of its duly constituted committees, the member having a potential conflict shall call it to the attention of the board or committee and the member shall not vote on the subject with respect to which he/she or a member of his/her immediate family has a conflict of interest, shall not attempt to influence the vote of any other member, and shall not be counted in determining the quorum for dealing with the subject with respect to which the conflict exists.

Any member who is excluded from voting because of such conflict of interest shall briefly state the nature of the conflict and answer pertinent questions of other members when such interested member's knowledge of the subject will assist the board or any of its committees.

The minutes of the meeting shall reflect that a disclosure was made, that the interested member abstained from voting, and that the member was not counted in determining the quorum for dealing with the subject with respect to which the potential conflict exists.

Relationship Standards
In view of growing theological confusion, CrossGlobal Link has established standards to guide its relationships and those of its member missions.

1. Association: CrossGlobal Link is a voluntary association of evangelical missions which have committed themselves to a testimony of fellowship and oneness in the body of Christ, working together without organic union but in mutual interdependence.
2. Cooperation: CrossGlobal Link and its member missions encourage cooperation with all other evangelical groups which share basic doctrinal and operational agreement.
3. Fellowship: Where evangelical groups hold distinctive doctrinal emphases that make cooperation difficult, CrossGlobal Link acknowledges oneness in Christ through proper Christian respect and missions comity.
4. Communication: Where theological inclusivism and apostasy make organizational association, cooperation, or fellowship with certain groups impossible, communication may be necessary on a nontheological level, especially in dealing with government authorities.

Member missions are urged to exercise discernment in the application of these standards in order that the essential unity and public testimony of CrossGlobal Link may be maintained. In situations of uncertainty, the Board of  CrossGlobal Link will assist any member mission in establishing such guidelines.