Missionary Safety Guidelines for Churches Using Digital Missions Display
MissionaryConnect and the Digital Missions Display are designed to help churches keep the missionaries they support visible before the congregation. At the same time, some missionaries serve in locations where public exposure of certain details could create risk.
For this reason, churches should exercise care when publishing missionary information within the MissionaryConnect platform.
These guidelines are intended to help churches protect missionaries while still allowing the congregation to remain informed and engaged in the work of missions.
Be Careful With Exact Locations
Some missionaries serve in countries or regions where public ministry activity may attract unwanted attention. In these cases, churches should avoid displaying exact city locations.
Instead, churches may choose to:
• Display only the country or region
• Place the missionary in a nearby neutral location
• Use a general mission field description rather than a precise location
MissionaryConnect allows churches to control how location information appears on the map.
Limit Sensitive Personal Information
Churches should avoid publishing information that could expose missionaries to unnecessary risk.
Examples of information that should be handled carefully include:
• Home addresses
• Personal phone numbers
• Detailed travel schedules
• Sensitive ministry contacts
• Names of local believers in restricted areas
When in doubt, it is better to provide general ministry descriptions rather than specific operational details.
Use Discretion With Photos and Media
Photos and videos can be powerful tools for helping a church understand a missionary’s work. However, images may also reveal sensitive details such as locations, local believers, or ministry activities.
Churches should ensure that any photos or videos published on missionary profiles have been approved by the missionary and are safe to display publicly.
Work With the Missionary
Missionaries serving in sensitive fields often have clear guidelines from their sending agency or ministry board regarding public communication.
Church administrators should work directly with missionaries to determine:
• What information can be shared
• What information should remain private
• How their ministry should be represented on the display
MissionaryConnect works best when the church and missionary communicate clearly about these matters.
Review Missionary Profiles Periodically
Church administrators should periodically review missionary profiles to ensure information remains safe and appropriate.
This review should include checking:
• Location information
• Media and photos
• Written descriptions of ministry activity
Regular review helps ensure that the display continues to protect missionaries while keeping the congregation informed.
Protecting the Work of the Gospel
The goal of the Digital Missions Display is to help churches remain connected to the missionaries they support and to encourage prayer for the mission field.
At the same time, churches must exercise wisdom when sharing information about ministry work in sensitive regions. Careful stewardship of missionary information helps protect those serving on the front lines of the Gospel.
By following these guidelines, churches can keep the harvest field visible while honoring the safety and responsibility that comes with representing missionaries around the world.