Information
to assist a group to setup a flying patrol outback.
But,
"Tackle nothing you can't bathe daily in prayer"
- as per Jer. 33:3
Patrols
usually do innovative Religious instruction in School classes
in the daytimes; - and evening teaching functions with families
and groups.
Begin,
at least three months before departure:
1.
Confirm leader and team members, organise functions; rehearse
and conduct local meetings to practice and gain experience
and confidence, raise support as required. Discuss the project
with your home Church; it is a missionary
venture; tell them that you wish to represent the Church
and wish their commissioning and sending functions; and that
you'll report back to your church the account of the patrol.
2.
Arrange pilot, book plane (verify hours / maintenance release
/ no double bookings / conflict, no of passengers, luggage,
weight limitations etc.);
3.
Suggest an itinerary and calculate total plane costs. Err
on the high side, include setup phone/fax cost; landing fees,
accommodation if required, occasional meals, drinks etc.,
– agree on equal-share budget;
Verify
aviation insurance is effective, current and adequate; with advice from your reputable Aviation Insurance consultant."
4.
Appoint one team member as Organiser/Secretary, responsible
to arrange/adjust/confirm fax, phone itinerary details;
5.
Agree on team duties; loading/unloading, tie-downs, phone
calls, meetings log, literature, results, costs, other, etc.,
Keep pilot free to concentrate on nav/fuel/flying duties.
Create an A5 line-flyer/handbill/advertising sheet to fax
out.
Create your itinerary page to reduce to an A5, and match the
two pages together then fax the A4 sheet to each place four
weeks ahead: . ( Ask us for samples).
6.
Fax or mail Schedule Flyer & Covering letter to each place
one month lead time, clearly asking for changes within a week.
Book overnights first; fill in days when nights confirmed.
Fax or mail this proposed schedule to the Outback Patrol office,
to help avoid overlap .... with other teams at the same time.
Two
weeks ahead:
7.
Personally follow-up with phone calls to each contact two
weeks ahead; (identify, explain, ask clearly for confirmation)
8.
Confirm or adjust each place as required to complete itinerary
as far as possible by one week ahead.
9.
Keep pray-ers in the picture each week. Continue rehearsals,
local meetings, raising travel support.
One
week ahead:
10.
Print and distribute final Patrol Schedule to team and supporters
by one week ahead, for prayer and support.
11.
Fax final schedule to each place during week before departure,
request replace this and destroy previous proposed itinerary.
Fax or mail this final schedule to the Outback Patrol office,
understanding details may change during Patrol week. Note:
When each place receives your entire schedule, they understand
your priorities, which helps them fit you in rather than request
changes.
Patrol
Time:
12.
Proceed with, and fulfil the schedule as arranged.
Daily,
phone ahead to each place team intentions; landing time, pick
up request, etc., This 'may' be done from school to school.
Carry pocket full of coins and itinerary. b. Use Decision
Cards in meetings where appropriate; Keep record of decisions,
etc.,
During
Patrol,
confirm dates, details and arrangements at each place for
your next Patrol. Each team member keep their own diary of
patrol places, people, events, stories, testimonials, etc.,
Suitable diary time is in the plane between stops.
Each
team member
make pictures, video or tapes of meetings, people, functions,
etc., f. Watch for towns with FM radio; discuss option to
take OP program Monday nights 7-8pm Sydney time.
13.
En-route on Patrol, adjust itinerary as required, due weather,
delays, breakdowns, changes, team, etc., a. In the event of
uncertainty, team leader has the final word/vote/decision.
Seek agreement in the Spirit.
14.
Overfly and cancel late towns to maintain itinerary as much
as possible. Phone apologies or changes to each place.
15.
During the week, patrol's progressive report should be completed
in detail. Fax to Patrol office upon return.
16.
Phone report back to sponsors results; offer praise and rejoicing
for God's blessing.
After
the Patrol is completed:
17.
The follow-up to new commitments begins now; mail, phone,
encouragement. Continue as required.
18.
Ensure all Patrol funds are in; bills are paid, nothing outstanding.
Prepare reconciliation/report. Copy to OP. Expect landing
fees three months later.
19.
Be sure the team meets one week later to review, discuss and
rejoice in prayer together. For accountability.
20.
Offer to counsel members of next Patrol team what you've learned;
how they may apply themselves to their opportunity.
21.
Please note suggestions, hints, corrections, etc., of how
the ministry can be conducted better; how people can be reached
for Christ more speedily, best follow up methods, and how
the few believers outback can be encouraged in the faith,
better.
22.
Diaries of the Patrol may be suitable to publish for the encouragement
of the sponsors. Please consider this as a vital part of the
ongoing ministry. See the October '95 Team Diary at OP..
23.
Pictures, video, diary or tapes of the patrol may be helpful
in telling the outback story. Also, please consider this another
way to share the story and encourage others to go. G. Planning
for your next flying Patrol: Be sure to book yourselves for
your return visit, during your actual patrol. In this way,
you reduce your workload, and report a worthy follow-up and
new outreach for the future.
General
Matters:
24.
Vital Items:
You
are a representative of Outback Patrol, and The Lord Jesus
Christ.
That
the planning and execution of the patrol arrangements follow
the proven process of contacts, information, booking, adjustments,
accountability, follow up, etc., etc., as described.
When
a team does not wish to follow the Outback Patrol format,
please proceed with your own management criteria. Outback
Patrol will be praying and supporting you as much as possible,
but cannot be associated with your ministry if you do not
follow proven and accepted Outback Patrol methods.
When
you find a better method, please use it, and include it in
these
notes for future teams to benefit.
It
is to be understood and accepted that teams of Christian people
working with Outback Patrol comply with the Outback Patrol
Mission Statement of Faith and Practice, which has been observed
and respected since 1961. To do this, team members are asked
to especially and strenuously avoid doctrinal or belief conflicts
either publicly or in personal discussions with locals. You
will meet people who disagree with you, so be prepared to
avoid confrontation. When in doubt; err toward caution. Weakness
argues; strength resists. When theology is argued, atheism
grows. It is better to remain silent and thought a fool than
to open the mouth and remove all doubt.
Your
witness will leave an impression; either favourable or unfavourable;
ensure it is wholly favourable, even when in direct conflict
with error, disagreement or sin. Be a Barnabas rather than
a Peter or Paul, -- as even Paul admitted that Barnabus came
out on top in the end.
Read
Romans #14 for light on this matter . . .
While
you are working with Outback Patrol, you have only one function;
to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Leave conflict and
arguments to other people, or to a later time. Do not bring
OP into such a cloudy area.
25.
Local Christian work outback is very frail at best. Do your
part to make it stronger.
Notes
to Team:
Attempt
to complete the Patrol detail arrangements completely within
and by members of the team. In this way, each is aware of
the process and are informed of places, people, changes and
opportunities, and even the problems that may arise—to
cover in prayer and expect victories—each day.
Les
Nixon at Patrol HQ is eager to offer all the support possible
and will assist upon request. However, the final confirmations
and arrangements are wholly the responsibility of the Patrol
team, to avoid misunderstanding, missed details, and confused
arrangements. Consult and use previous Patrol itineraries
as a sample of what you should do, and how you should do it.
Complete and return the information below for Patrol office
information.
Proposed
Dates:
Proposed
Team Name:
Leader:
Phone/Fax:
Sec/Organiser:
Phone/Fax :
Pilot:
Plane:
Phone:
Member/s:
Phone/s:
Skills:
Name
of Commissioning Church:
Our
mailing address is:
Outback
Patrol National HQ
36 Georges Crescent,
Georges Hall, NSW
Australia 2198
Phone
02 9727 2759 if you are in Australia or 61 2 9727 2759 if
you are outside Australia.
Opportunity down under
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