Field Network

How the Field Network Works

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Sending Pathway

The Field Network gives sending churches access to healthy, well-prepared field teams, partners, and local church. At Upstream Sending, we believe sending well also means receiving well. We only facilitate sending once we know the receiving team is ready. This includes an onboarding process for the field team to ensure alignment, preparedness, and shared expectations.

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Alignment-Based Community

Everything we do is aimed at helping churches send well. A key part of this is connecting healthy sent ones to known, trusted teams that share common theological beliefs, missiological values, and field practices. These shared foundations promote unity, leadership coaching, and aligned expectations for long-term partnership. We help churches find the right fit among national partners and global organizations.

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A Network of Leaders

The Field Network is also a global community of ministry leaders—cross-cultural workers, national pastors, and team leaders—who learn from and support one another. This community is encouraged and equipped through leadership development, coaching, and relationships facilitated by Upstream Sending and its partner churches.

Field Network Process

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To join the Field Network, prospective field teams and national partners must align around four key areas:

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• Theological Statements

• Missiological Values

• Field Practices

• A Field Team Covenant
   

Our process is centered on alignment, not authority. We’re not here to control ministry methods, but to foster collaboration and clarify expectations—reducing the risk of misunderstanding between teams, national leaders, sending churches, and organizations.

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The process begins with an initial conversation. From there, teams complete an application (including questionnaires, references, and team documents), participate in an interview, and host an on-site visit from Upstream staff before entering formal partnership.

Benefits for Field Teams & Leaders

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• Greater clarity and health for field teams

• Access to a trusted sending pipeline from vetted US churches

• A global network of like-minded ministry leaders

• Leadership development and encouragement from Upstream’s staff
   

If you're interested in learning more, contact Justin Dodson, our Field Network Director.

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Please note: The Field Network is focused on ministry collaboration and leadership support. Upstream Sending does not provide financial support to field teams or national partners.

 

Field Teams Practices

 

The following are values and practices we ask every team, partner organization, or local church in the Field Network to agree upon and put into practice. The application of these values and practices will look different depending on the team and location. We also recognize that no Field Network partner will perfectly apply these principles. All we ask is that field teams adopt these values and strive to be faithful in their application. Upstream Sending will help field teams develop these practices, as needed.

 

1. We will be humble learners of our host culture, people, and local church leaders.

 

Working cross-culturally takes humility. Sent ones should approach their new culture and team with the posture of a learner, honoring the work of others before them. By cultivating an appreciation for the host culture and the unique yet faithful cultural expressions of Christianity, sent ones can foster understanding that paves the way for effective cross-cultural ministry.

 

2. We are committed to the local church in our field context. 

 

Sent ones should enter their field context humbly, seeking to establish meaningful relationships and learn from the local church and its leaders. We do not bring all the answers with us, but desire to serve alongside the national local church and join in committed membership where possible. Where membership is not possible, or advisable, collaboration and friendship should be the goal. 

 

3. We value team members as whole people, not just the work they produce.

 

Rather than valuing only what team members produce, teams and field partners should strive to see sent ones as whole people, created in the image of God, who have needs and limitations beyond the ministry context. This means allowing sent ones to have a meaningful life outside of ministry including a healthy work-life balance. This also means embracing the reality that sent ones, like all people, are broken vessels with limitations, sin, and times of significant suffering that call for seasons of grace. 

 

4. We will provide a defined level of community for all members on the team.

 

We were made for community. Field partners should ensure each member has real opportunities for community in their field location, within the team and with others in the local context. Deep and meaningful relationships are critical for maintaining healthy presence over the long term.

 

5. We have an accountability process for our team members, including our team leader(s).

 

In cross-cultural ministry, maintaining a close watch on one another's life and work fosters mutual edification and growth. Accountability does not need to be punitive but should be seen as a means of loving one another in community together. We ask each field partner to establish a clear accountability process related to a sent one's personal life and ministry work, including a yearly review and an ongoing personal development plan, both provided by Upstream Sending. A field partner may choose to add other elements of accountability as spelled out in their team covenant.

 

6. We have an organizational structure, decision-making process, and conflict-resolution process. 

 

Field partners should establish a clear organizational structure, ensuring that each team member knows under whose authority they work. Similarly, a defined process for decision-making and conflict resolution enables team members to have proper expectations in their daily activities and provides guidance on addressing any conflicts that arise. These elements should be outlined in the team covenant.

 

7. We have a clarified onboarding process and mentorship for new team members.

 

Field partners will provide a process for receiving, training, and encouraging new team members in advance of their arrival. They will also have a clarified and ongoing process for mentorship, which should be explained to team members. These elements should be spelled out in the team covenant. 

 

8. We give strategic direction and training for ministry engagement.

 

Each field partner should have a plan outlining their strategic vision and ministry practices. This plan should be presented to each team member as part of their onboarding process, ensuring that everyone understands their role in the team’s strategic direction. Field partners should also provide an appropriate level of training for ministry engagement in their local context.

 

9. We make sure everyone knows their role on the team and where their gifts can be used for strategic ministry. 

 

Field partners will help each team member understand the requirements and expectations of their role, their place in the overall strategy, and work with team members to help them exercise their gifts for the benefit of the team and the purposes of ministry.

 

10. We value the churches that send people to the field and seek to honor them through communication and ongoing relationship.

 

It is the local church who sends (Acts 13:3), and receives back its sent ones (Acts 14:26-28) in order to glorify God for all he does in building his Kingdom. We want to honor the sending church by maintaining real relationships and ongoing communication with them, rather than delegating the work of mission to the field alone. We ask that Field Network leaders communicate with, and collaborate when needed, with sending churches that have sent ones on their team. 

 

11. We have an expectation that every team member will maintain a deep abiding relationship with God. 

 

All ministry begins with and flows from an abiding life with Christ. It is vital for each sent one to maintain a deep abiding relationship with God, including personal spiritual rhythms and corporate (local church) expressions of worship and community. Accountability and encouragement in this area should come through community on the field and through formal accountability and resources from Upstream Sending and the sending church.