General Policy

  Furlough is generally required for international employees. There are main purposes for it:

  1. Strengthening ministry financial support with individuals and churches by visiting and casting vision to ministry partners.
  2. Promoting international ministry needs.
  3. Physical, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation, time with family, and reconnection with American culture.

Furloughs are temporary work assignments away from the missionary's field of service. Therefore lodging, travel and ministry expenses are reimbursable. While we want missionaries to pursue activities that renew them, furlough activities are typically far from restful. 


Details to Know



The furlough time provided to international missionaries is six weeks per year of field ministry. Many find the healthiest frequency to be every two years (so typical furloughs are three months in duration). On a typical three-month home service leave, 8-12 weeks will normally be spent strengthening ministry support with individuals and churches and promoting the international ministry (MTD and recruiting). The portion may be divided among travel and vacation time for personal recuperation or spiritual preparation for the missionary and his/her family. 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.  Missionaries may do MTD from a field location, and use part of their furlough allotted time for that activity. They may also make shorter trips to the US for fund-raising and recruiting.   However, no more than three years between visits to the US should be allowed. First-term missionaries may be required to serve two years before a furlough in order to acclimate with their ministry culture. 


During furlough years, international missionaries are entitled to 5 extra days of PTO. Thus 20 days is the minimum in a furlough year, even if their tenure with Reliant would normally allow for only 15 days. These extra days are intended to support travel and adjustment needs during furlough. The common practice of most missionaries is to use 2-4 weeks of that PTO allowance during the 3-month furlough period. If missionaries would like to use their furlough PTO at another point in the year, they may coordinate with their local supervisors and shorten their homestays in correlation to that PTO. PTO days may be spent at the location of the missionary's choice.

We understand that while on furlough, it may be difficult to separate "working days" and "PTO days" since many locations you visit will serve dual purposes. Remember, Reliant does not track your PTO, whether on a furlough year or a non-furlough year. It is between you and your supervisor to determine how closely you will track your PTO. Keep in mind that time off is a vital part of furlough and should not be neglected. This will enable you to return to the field ready for a new term, rather than returning more depleted than when you left.



International employees must consult with their supervisors to determine an appropriate time for furlough in order to minimize disruptions to the ministry. Consideration will be given to families with school-age children who desire to coordinate their home service with school breaks. All furlough requests must be approved by a supervisor at least one month prior to the home-service departure date; however, Reliant recommends that furloughs are scheduled at least six months in advance. 


It is incredibly important to understand how furlough, or any time in the United States, affects your insurance coverage. If you are enrolled in the Aetna plan, your coverage will continue uninterrupted. However, while you are not subject to a deductible overseas, you will have to meet a deductible for any medical expenses incurred within the United States. Additionally, Aetna has different rates of coverage for in-network and out-of-network expenses. Please confirm with Aetna and/or your medical provider that they are in-network before receiving treatment. If you decide to use an out-of-network provider, make sure to understand the costs upfront. You can review the details of the Aetna plan here.

Because medical treatment may be more expensive in the US than overseas, if you plan to have a major medical procedure while in the U.S., it is best practice to notify Aetna ahead of time for approval, even if pre-approval is not explicitly stated or required.


If you are not covered under the Aetna plan, but have a national plan through your country of service, you are responsible for knowing what your plan covers while you are in the US and obtaining additional insurances as necessary.


See also: Travel Assistance insurance for ACE International Travel Assistance information


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 supervisors and MTD coaches for specific advice and direction about support strategies and a plan for their home-service leaves. 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 Reliant at least one month prior to departure. International employees are responsible to raise the total amount of funds determined by Reliant to cover the salary and expenses required for their position.


International missionaries should notify Reliant of their travel plans for furlough using the Travel Notification form. Please include your "home base" and up-to-date contact information. You do not need to list out every city within the US that you plan to visit. Unless you inform us otherwise, we will assume you have returned to your country of service on the date noted on the form. Please send an email to international@reliant.org if your travel plans change from what you originally submitted.


Expenses incurred during home assignments are considered work-related and are eligible for reimbursement according to Reliant's reimbursement policies. Such expenses include airfare to and from the United States, transportation costs, lodging and food expenses (see Per Diem - U.S.). Some expenses (such as those for family members not employed by Reliant) may be considered taxable according to Reliant's reimbursement policies.


International missionaries are requested to schedule a professional debrief with a member of the International Team during their furloughs. This is best done between the second and fourth week of furlough. It lasts approximately 90 minutes. The professional debrief allows you to inform the Reliant team about successes, challenges and needs you have experienced during their prior term as it relates to your ministry role, MTD and your employment with Reliant. We recommend and expect that someone from your ministry or church will be debriefing with you on a more personal level.



Are you a part of a country that has a totalization agreement? If you are a missionary in one of the countries listed in the Furlough Request, you may need to plan a 6-month exit from the host country every 5 years to comply with the agreement, Please contact hr@reliant.org if you have questions. 




Forms to Complete

The furlough form and the travel notification form must be completed with all expected travel.


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Questions to help prepare for furlough

MTD

  • 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 arrival in the US?
  • What advance work can I do to set up appointments? 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 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. 

Personal

  • 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

Reliant Office

  • Reliant Staff meetings are held virtually on Tuesdays at 9am EST. We love to have missionaries share during those meetings, and understand that might be more feasible when you are in a US time zone. Let the International Liaison know if you would like to share.
  • Do I have specific questions for the Reliant office to bring up during my professional debrief? 

Sending Church

  • Are there any areas of concern that I need to discuss with my sending pastor/church?
  • What tools or support might I need from my sending church?
  • Do I feel I have a good level of support and/or communication from my sending church? 
  • What other support would I like to see?