What's it like applying to a mission?

In a word, rigorous. I had never experienced such a rigorous process, though I had three different jobs in commerce before entering Christian ministry.

There are large application forms to complete - covering personal and doctrinal matters. Also there are personal and doctrinal interviews, based on the forms.

Then there is the medical and psychological assessment, conducted in London at Interhealth. Up to this point, Pat and I had separate forms, examinations and interviews.

Finally there is the Council Interview, when you appear together before the Mission Council. (This was made slightly less daunting for me because I knew almost half the people there already.) At the conclusion of this interview you know if you will be joining the mission team.

Considering the number and size of forms, and the number of interviews and examinations, I am quite surprised that it all got done in less than 8 weeks! We were welcomed into the mission on July 8.

Comments

Alan said…
Just in case a prospective missions candidate reads this, I can assure you that all was a joy from start to finish.

Even the interview with the psychiatrist was interesting and diverting.

And all with the constant assurance of the presence and support of the living God.
12:07 pm
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A bit about music exams in UK and France

They're really different. I think I have already mentioned that while in the UK people generally find a private teacher for their instrument, or do it through a school scheme, here there are municipal music school, conservatoires and so on. The situation is a little more complex than I had first understood, because the schools vary in the rigidity of their organisation: the most, the conservatoires, next the municipals, then the associations. Our music school is an association, but it tends to apply the standards of the municipal schools with its programme of cycles, etc. Britain - grade 1 to 8, grade 8 being roughly equivalent to A-level, pre university/conservatoire. France - 3 cycles, each taking about 4 years, with 3ème cycle being roughly equivalent to grade 8. Theory of music - UK to take grade 8 you need theory grade 5. In France you study theory alongside your instrumental studies, very slowly. Catrin's flute music is MUCH more difficult than the stuff she does in theor
Read more

The Kitchen

 Our new apartment will be equipped with toilet and bathroom etc. but not with anything at all in the kitchen. Not even a sink. So we need to purchase a kitchen and engage a kitchen fitter. A friend who knows how to fit kitchens suggested buying an Ikea kitchen. "They're guaranteed twenty years and they honour their guarantee", he said. "I've proved it". Well I don't know any other kitchen laces in France, and I can't imagine there's much that's cheaper than Ikea, so I was happy to accept his advice. So it was that on Monday I booked an appointment with the Ikea Kitchen Planning Service in the centre of Bordeaux. The woman was friendly. "You've already started the process", she said, (have we?) "so that will save us lots of time". "What are you aiming for?" Something not too country, something discreet, something that can adapt to whatever colours we put in the rest of the room. She understood our dislike of
Read more