When an important issue like this arises, it brings to light the spiritual state of everyone involved. Let us first consider the candidate.
Over the past few years, this individual will doubtless have faced problems, difficulties, and opportunities that have arisen in their family, their assembly, and in the community. If they have not handled these situations wisely, then they are not ready to be commended. Workers already on the field have enough to face without having to deal with a fellow worker who is immature. So elders have to act responsibly in such cases, even if their reluctance to commend an eager but unready candidate may be regarded by some as lack of love or vision. Although they are not lords themselves, they must act for the Lord (1 Pet. 5:3; Heb. 13:17).
Let us assume, however, that the candidate has proven himself mature. What does commendation involve? Allow us to suggest this definition: Commendation is a prayerful response toward God by spiritual men in the light of the proven fitness of a candidate for service in another area. It takes place when a servant of the Lord is called of God to leave the location where he has been serving to work in a new, unspecified sphere. Scripturally, this is a Spirit-guided exercise, having no immediate connection with money or with the requirements of a secular power. Barnabas and Saul were commended to the grace of God—not to men, nor to a place, but to minister wherever and however the Lord would direct them (Acts 14:26). Commendation, therefore, is not a commissioning, but a releasing, of those already called of God (Acts 13:1-3).
As far as “letters of commendation” are concerned, the apostle Paul carried no letter. Rather, his letter was continually being written as he served (2 Cor. 3:1-3)—but only spiritual persons could read it (13:4-6). In the case of Timothy, he was well spoken of by the brethren at two cities, and Paul could vouch for his potential. These things were enough to prove his worth; no letter was required.1
The above does not, however, address what may be required by human governments. If we expect them to honor tax-deductible receipts, for instance, we must conform to their rulings. They operate on a system that recognizes only ordination or its equivalent, and so require written approval of a worker and accountability by those commending, as well as by any other agencies involved such as CMML or MSC.2
Nevertheless, we must not allow the natural demands of secular authorities to muddy the waters as far as our understanding of commendation is concerned. The candidate must go forth with confidence in God, not in human promises, pledges, or guarantees. Nor should those commending a worker require that he obtain pledges for a certain amount of money before he leaves. Commendation means releasing the Lord’s servants to the ministry to which God has called them. The worker goes out in faith that the Lord will provide. Thousands can testify to the sufficiency of the Sovereign Lord in these matters. Let us not presume to lay down extra-biblical requirements that interfere with His rights.
1. It is a scripturally sanctioned courtesy for someone traveling from one company of believers to another to carry a letter of introduction. Apollos and Phoebe provide illustrations of this (Acts 18:26-27; Rom. 16:1-2). But this is not the same as a worker’s commendation.
2. More specific details of governmental requirements may be obtained from these agencies in Canada and the U.S.:
www.msc.on.ca or www.cmmlusa.org