Increasing medical costs worldwide have made health insurance an essential element of personal financial planning. Health insurance is not optional in today’s world. In recent years, we have witnessed several missionaries benefiting from the FIM health insurance plan in substantial ways. We have also witnessed extremely high medical burdens accumulating on some who chose not to participate in the plan when that option existed. In accord with sound financial policy, and to better care for the FIM family, the FIM Board of Directors has determined that missionaries are required to enroll in the FIM group plan. The following information will explain why the Board of Directors requires missionaries to participate in the Fellowship International Mission group plan. The operational motto of the Mission, “Flexibility in ministry with Integrity and Accountability,” applies as much to the operation of the Mission in general as it does to the individual missionary. We use the word “integrity” in its sense of “soundness.” In Titus 2:7, Paul exhorts Titus to teach with integrity. The word used in the King James Version, “uncorruptness,” carries the idea of “chaste, without contradiction.” The term denotes general soundness. The New International Version has captured the meaning by saying, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness. . . .” We at FIM value sound doctrine, but we also want our organization to be characterized by soundness. We want churches and individual donors to regard what we do for the cause of Christ as worthy of their support. Such soundness benefits the ministry of God’s Word in multi-faceted ways.

Consider these principles that help define that “soundness.”

Principle 1 – FIM bears a responsibility to God. God’s standard for us as believers is to measure our lives and ministries by whether or not they bring glory to God. As a Mission, we need to insure that God’s name is not defamed because we failed to care for the health insurance needs of our missionary family. The Mission bears a moral responsibility to prevent missionaries, their supporting churches, and individual supporters from being burdened with crushing medical bills. In addition, God is glorified when we care for His servants in the best possible way. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we read, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” In addition, God expects our ministry to be conducted in an orderly way. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”

Principle 2 – FIM bears a responsibility to the sending churches of our missionaries. Most churches today place high expectations on their partner mission agencies. They expect mission agencies to implement policies that are in the best long-term interests of the work their missionaries are doing. Health insurance is typically a part of that expectation.

Principle 3 – FIM bears a responsibility to the Christian community at large. Good healthcare comes with a huge price tag. Missionaries without health insurance typically turn to their churches and individual supporters for funds to cover those costs. This burden drains away resources that would be better spent other ways and induces an “emergency” approach to giving.

Principle 4 – FIM bears a responsibility to its missionaries and their families. Unexpected healthcare expenses can compromise the future of missionary families by adding stress and limiting ministry. Often the only resources missionaries can use to meet unexpected healthcare expenses are funds previously set aside for other purposes. Spending down these accounts seldom solves the problem, but simply relocates and delays the burden.

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