Alongsiders movements are rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, and every Alongsider is a follower of Jesus. We believe that God came alongside us first (1 Cor 1:4) and now He invites us to come alongside others. This is why Jesus lived among us and called his followers to love their neighbours and invite them to experience His healing and transformation. This is what His Kingdom looks like on earth, as in heaven (Mt 6:10).

Best Practices:

Doctrinally, Alongsiders places itself in the mainstream of historic Christian confession, as outlined in the historic creeds such as the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed or the more recent declarations from Lausanne and the Micah Network. We are open to partner with a broad range of Christian denominations and organizations, even when we don’t agree 100% theologically. We consider these partnerships a subversive opportunity to spread a wholistic Kingdom-centred vision.

Cautions:

We are careful to maintain our identity as a Christian movement, so we do not allow non-Christian groups to use the name Alongsiders. However, we will gladly share resources with them as appropriate.

We want to ensure that every young Christian, no matter how inexperienced or lacking in confidence, can participate in an Alongsiders movement. One to one discipleship is a beautiful first step towards reaching out, for these young believers. Because of our concern for reaching children who are struggling, we believe that focussing one to one will allow them to receive the attention and healing they long for. Very often those children who need the most love, have the greatest difficulty receiving that love.

Best Practices:

As a discipleship movement that was birthed in the Non-Western world, we see one-to-one discipleship in the context of small groups, families and churches.

Cautions:

Sometimes church leaders want to equip youth to disciple more than one child. We respond by encouraging them to “start with one”. If they are able to remain faithful to that first discipleship relationship, then certainly, an individual Alongsider may choose to reach out to more children.

Throughout history, young people have been on the forefront of almost every social movement for change. Many countries today are disproportionately young. They are idealistic, energetic, hopeful, hungry for change, and more technologically connected. This is an unprecedented moment in history – as the rise of world-changing technology is embraced first by young people around the world. Alongsiders movements are youth movements. This is our time.

Best Practices:

We aim for the majority of Alongsiders in any Alongsiders movement to be aged between 16 and 30. Some contexts may have potential for youth as young as 13 or as old as 35. It requires prayerful consideration to warrant such a shift. We also seek coordinators who are not too much older than the Alongsiders.

Cautions:

While there are occasional individual exceptions, we are not called to help older people make disciples, nor do we reach out to those who are not children, in our disciple making. Our focus is on youth and young adults discipling children.

Jesus gave special care and attention to children. He said that whoever welcomes a child in His name welcomes Him (Mk 9:37). We see God as their heavenly father, longing to ensure that they experience belonging and welcome into the family of God. We reflect the heart of God when we welcome and walk alongside children.

Best Practices:

We are committed to learning and implementing the best strategies and practices for walking with and protecting vulnerable children. We base our work on The Circle of Courage. We have observed that the most fruitful interaction occurs with children from 6 to 15 years of age and our comics are aimed at this age group. We recommend that there be 5 years of age or more between the child and their Alongsider so there is more of a mentoring relationship than a peer relationship.

Cautions:

Everyone needs someone to come alongside them. However, we are called to focus on children under the age of 18.

Jesus came to bring good news to the poor (Lk 4:18). We believe God has a particular concern or bias towards those who are poor and struggling. Reflecting God’s heart, Alongsiders movements have a special concern towards who are downtrodden and those who struggle to meet their basic needs. These may be children who experience abuse, neglect, injustice, are economically poor, or who are marginalized or discriminated against in some way.

Best Practices:

We have a bias towards poor and vulnerable children – but we define that broadly, and it may include children who are not economically poor, but are struggling in some other way. We consider children who live outside the influence of a local church family as spiritually poor, so where safe, we prioritize those who are unchurched, or without a relationship with God.

Cautions:

The Alongsiders movement is not primarily a model for internal Sunday School programming or for discipling the children of regular church members.

Jesus chose to move in among us because love is most fully expressed in the context of an ongoing mutual relationship. Alongsiders movements are rooted in communities and we encourage Alongsiders to reach out to their own neighbours first – in those places where they live, work and study - before travelling across town. True discipleship is showing someone how to follow Jesus in everyday life. So we seek to be a part of the daily routines of a little brother or sister, and to show our love as an act of relationship rather than as a weekly volunteer program.

Best Practices:

Our research has shown that the closer an Alongsider lives to their little brother or sister, the deeper the relationship that can be formed. Travel costs, time, and other obstacles mean that the ease of bumping into each other is an important factor in sustainability. For that reason, we encourage Alongsiders to chose a child who lives closer than 1km if possible.

Cautions:

It takes greater faithfulness and commitment to walk alongside someone who lives further away, but some can do it. Engaging cross-culturally or by travelling to other ethnic or socio-economic communities requires a uniquely anointed young person, so it is not our core model of discipleship. Generally speaking, we equip insiders (not outsiders) to become Alongsiders.

Joining the Alongsiders movement is a commitment to a global learning community of Christians who seek the best for those who are vulnerable. The injustice and danger facing children in our own communities and around the world compel us to work together to greater effectiveness. We need each other. We submit to one another. And we commit to pray and work together as a global movement.

Best Practices:

We guard the integrity of the movement through important stewardship practices such as child protection and regular training. We gather regularly at personal cost, to help and encourage one another.

Cautions:

Integrity requires that the name Alongsiders is available only to those who align with the 7 Defining Characteristics, vision and mission, and core values of Alongsiders.

At Alongsiders, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We encourage our Board members to build strong connections by meeting face-to-face, sharing meals, and enjoying fellowship together. To foster these close relationships, we focus on forming National Boards with members from the same city, resisting the urge to spread across multiple locations. This way, we stay true to our relational core and strengthen our movement.

We believe in building genuine relationships with our donors, and our National Board members play a key role in fostering these connections. They lead the way by engaging personally through phone calls, coffee meetings, and sharing updates or messages of encouragement via WhatsApp and other channels.

Occasionally, we also host fundraising events like dinners or creative gatherings. These events provide a wonderful opportunity to share our vision, connect with donors on a deeper level, and inspire them to support the mission of Alongsiders.

Each Board Member brings a different set of skills, interests and passions to Alongsiders. And there are as many ways to walk alongside the movement as there are Board members.

Some provide coaching to individual leaders, while others faithfully pray and intercede. Some contribute financially, and others offer technical expertise, administrative support or specialized training. Together, they walk alongside the movement, each playing a vital role in its growth and impact.

1. Experience: Individuals with expertise in nonprofit governance, financial management, and strategic planning, ideally with some background in international development or grass-roots movements in Asia, Europe, Latin America or Africa.

2. Engagement: Highly engaged people with a demonstrated commitment and investment in the mission of Alongsiders and a willingness to contribute their time, knowledge, and networks.

3. Diversity: A diverse mix of skills, spiritual gifts, and perspectives, geography and gender to enrich board discussions and decision-making.

4. Character: Embodies the ethos and posture of Alongsiders and are people of integrity and character.

5. Capacity: Ability and wisdom to both support and challenge when needed/appropriate. As well as technical ability to engage online with our leaders via WhatsApp and Zoom.

• Term: Board members serve a three-year term, which can be renewed for an additional three years, with a mandatory one-year break after completing six years of service.

• Meeting Attendance: Board members are expected to attend all scheduled board meetings, with a minimum attendance rate of 75% per year.

• Active Participation: Board members are expected to actively participate in meetings and take on specific roles or projects as needed.

• Fundraising Support: National Board members are expected to assist with local fundraising efforts, whether by leveraging personal networks, attending events, or securing donations.

• Annual Contribution: Board members are encouraged to make an annual financial or other sort of contribution to the organization, demonstrating personal commitment to Alongsiders success.

In addition to regular board meetings—held on Zoom for the International Board and in person for National Boards—we encourage all board members to attend our annual International Leadership Gathering in Cambodia at least once during their three-year term.

This gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect with key leaders from around the world, meet the Cambodian Support Centre team, and witness Alongsiders in action at a camp or event.

• Conflict of Interest: Board members are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest and abstain from voting on matters where a conflict exists.

• Confidentiality: Board members must maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information discussed during meetings or related to the organization’s operations.

• Ethical Conduct: Board members must adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct and act in the best interest of the organization.

• Non-Participation: Failure to attend three consecutive board meetings without prior notice or valid reason may result in removal.

• Conflict of Interest Violation: Engaging in activities that constitute a conflict of interest, without disclosure or resolution, may lead to removal.

• Unethical Behavior: Any behavior that violates the organization’s code of ethics or brings disrepute to the organization is grounds for removal.

• Non-Compliance: Repeated failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities outlined in the terms of engagement can result in removal.

• Sabbatical Leave: Board members may request a temporary leave of absence for personal or professional reasons, subject to board approval. The duration of the break should not exceed one year.

• Reinstatement: After the approved sabbatical period, the board member may resume their duties, contingent on the board’s agreement.

• Notice Period: Board members wishing to resign should provide a written notice at least 30 days in advance, allowing time for the board to make necessary arrangements for their replacement.

• Transition: Resigning members are encouraged to assist in the transition process by briefing their successor or providing relevant documentation and insights to ensure continuity.

• Interested individuals express their interest in conversation with us over Zoom or over coffee.

• The candidate provides a brief introduction, including your background, skills, and why you are interested in joining the Alongsiders board.

• Complete the official board member application form, which is available on this page.

• Include your resume or CV and any relevant references.

• Answer questions about your alignment with Alongsiders' mission, values, and how you can contribute to the board.

• The current board or a designated committee will review your application.

• After review, you will be contacted for further discussion.

• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview, either in person or via Zoom, with current board members or the selection committee.

• The interview will explore your experience, commitment, and how your skills align with the needs of the board.

• References provided by the applicant will be contacted to verify qualifications, character, and suitability for the board role.

• At this stage we will also request a criminal background police check (due to the nature of our work with children).

• Following the interview and reference check, the current board or designated committee will discuss and decide on the applicant’s appointment.

• Successful candidates will receive a formal written offer to join the board.

• New board members will participate in an orientation program to familiarize themselves with Alongsiders' mission, governance practices, and current systems and practices.

• They will be introduced to other board members, staff, and key stakeholders.

• Upon completion of the orientation, the new board member will be officially appointed and begin their term of service.

• The appointment will be announced to the broader Alongsiders community and you will be added to the appropriate WhatsApp groups.