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Furlough is generally considered an every other year event. As As a rule of thumb, the average length of furlough is three months. On a typical three-month home service leave, 8-10 weeks will normally be spent strengthening ministry support with individuals and churches and promoting the international ministry (MTD and recruiting). The The remaining month may be divided among travel and vacation time for personal recuperation or spiritual preparation for the missionary and his/her family. Travel Travel to and from the field is included in the furlough. The duration and frequency of furlough may be adjusted in coordination with the missionary's supervisor.
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During furlough years, international missionaries are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of PTO (four calendar weeks), even if their tenure with Reliant would normally allow for only 15 days. These These extra days are intended to support travel and adjustment needs during furlough. Common Common practice of most missionaries to use 2-4 weeks of that PTO allowance during the 3 month furlough furlough period. If If the missionary would like to use their furlough PTO at another point in the year, they may coordinate with their local supervisor, and shorten their home stay in correlation to that PTO. PTO days may be spent at the location of the missionary's choice. In the event an international employee does not take home service leave, he or she should follow the policy in PTO.
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In preparing for furlough, international employees should conduct a thorough review of their MTD status three months prior to departure and write a strategic plan for doing ministry team development while in the States. Employees may consult with their supervisor and MTD coach for specific advice and direction about support strategies and a plan for their home service leave. A written copy of the MTD furlough plan and goals must be given to the supervisor and emailed or faxed to the International Liaison at the Reliant headquarters at least one month prior to departure. International International employees are responsible to raise the total amount of funds determined by Reliant to cover the salary and expenses required for their position.
Notify Reliant of Arrival in the US
International missionaries should confirm their arrival in the US within the first week of their return to the United States on furlough. This can be done by email or phone. As As an employer, Reliant is required to know that an employees is working within the US. Missionaries Missionaries should inform the International Liaison of their travel plans and MTD goals. International International employees are also strongly encouraged to visit the Reliant office in Orlando, Florida, during their home service leave in order to strengthen relationships with the office staff.
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International Missionaries are requested to schedule a Professional Debrief with the Missionary Resources Team during their furlough. This This is best done between the second and fourth week of furlough. It lasts It lasts approximately 90 minutes. The The Professional Debrief allows the missionary to inform the Reliant team about successes, challenges and needs they experienced during their prior term.
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- What is my MTD goal while stateside? How much do I hope to raise in (ex. recurring gifts?)
- Are there MTD supplies I need to order prior to my arriving in the US?
- What advance work can I do to set up appointments? Consider Consider setting aside several evenings per week for the month prior to arrival for setting appointments.
- See Guide for Returning to Full-Time MTD and Returning to Full-Time MTD Resources
Tips:
- Begin thinking about MTD and your furlough about 6 months prior. Take those 6 months to "scrub" your Reliant donor data.
- About 1-2 months prior begin planning and making contact to schedule appointments while stateside.
- Consider multiple communication tools, such as Skype, Facebook, Twitter, texting, email, etc. See See Using Communications Media in MTD for more details.
- Consider asking existing donors to increase their giving.
- Consider asking existing donors for help with transportation and housing.
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- What are my housing and transportation plans?
- Have I scheduled time for relaxation and refreshment?
- Some retreat centers are free to missionaries if you reserve them in advance. See Free Retreat Centers for more details. This is a great opportunity for your family to get away and do something relaxing for free.
- Are there any specific areas I need to be praying through while on furlough?
- What are my expectations when I come back with family and friends?
- What is realistic?
- Consider reading these Re-Entry Resources
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- Consider visiting the Reliant office and schedule that visit prior to your furlough. Reliant Reliant Staff meetings are Tuesdays at 9am and the team loves to hear from our missionaries in those meetings.
- Do I have specific questions for the Reliant office to bring up during my professional debrief?
- Insurance Questions. See See Insurance Overview for International Missionaries
- Support goal worksheet questions. See Support Goal Worksheet for Internationals
- MTD questions. See See Guide for Returning to Full-Time MTD
- Policy questions
- Reimbursement questions
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