Click here to see a diagram modeling the Luke Society PMT authority and accountability.

For more information about Luke Society history, philosophy and structure please refer to the more detailed PMT Manual. Click here for PMT Manual

Keeping in mind that there is no standard requirement, PMTs typically consist of at least one medical professional and one business professional and possibly their spouses. The Luke Society works with a PMT to determine who would be a good fit to join based on the ministry director’s needs and personality.

The Luke Society will be looking for PMT who ascribe to the statement of faith and have an understanding and agreement with the Luke Society philosophy.

If a PMT is considering adding to their team, we ask that you allow the Luke Society U.S. office to interview the new PMT and provide feedback.

We ask for an initial five-year commitment. This is necessary so that a relationship can be built. The typical PMT relationship formally lasts around 10 years, yet the friendship often lasts a lifetime.

The Luke Society likes to wait two or three years after partnering with a ministry before pairing the director with a PMT. This allows the ministry director a chance to get their feet on solid ground and for the Luke Society to make sure this is a good ministry candidate. These first few years are growing years where the ministry director is learning to follow their own vision as they interact with their community

After the Luke Society partners with a ministry for 2-3 years we usually work to pair the ministry with a PMT (unless political circumstances make this impractical or dangerous for a PMT or director).

After the PMT relationship has lasted 7-10 years a number of things can happen…

1. The ministry will be thriving and ready to have decreased visits and contact from their PMT. This does not necessarily mean the end of the PMT/director relationship, however it usually does indicate a change in focus and frequency of contacts.

2. The ministry director might be at an age of passing the ministry on or retiring and phasing out their ministry. Either way this often changes the PMT relationship greatly. The Luke Society will work with the PMT to determine what is best for the ministry and the PMT moving forward.

3. The ministry may need ongoing support and contact. In this situation, the Luke Society will work with the director and PMT to continue to relationship.

When there is a transition, it is good to remember not to make promises. For example, stating that you will keep supporting the ministry or will give certain financial support. The Luke Society office would like to work through a transition plan together with the PMT.

The following outlines and defines the normal stages within ministry development:

• Trial Ministry: A ministry partnership that is started after central office staff and the regional coordinator interview and make a field visit to a contact who possesses a vision for service that is compatible with the vision of the Luke Society. A budget is approved during this one to two year period of evaluation to determine if a long-term relationship will be mutually agreeable.

• Early Ministry: A ministry which has passed the phase of Trial Ministry during which the activities of the ministry are further organized and consolidated. This will generally take place in the second and third year of a ministry’s existence. During this time, the ministry director will be strengthening relationships with the community, working to become established as an NGO (Non-Government Organization) with a local Board of Directors and establishing a work team to support these activities. A PMT is not assigned by the Luke Society until after this important stage of defining the ministry, to minimize the risk of a director drifting from his/her original vision and mission.

• Developed Ministry: These are ministries that have been able to clearly establish their mission, vision and work project. At this stage, a PMT might be arranged if the central Luke Society, director and PMT all agree that it would be safe and beneficial to do so. These ministries continue to receive Luke Society support but are also free to establish relationships with other Christian ministry organizations, so long as their philosophy does not contradict that of the Luke Society. This stage might typically include year 3-10 since inception.

• Mature Ministry: Ministries that have been successfully following their vision and mission for at least 10 years. They might continue to receive financial support and spiritual encouragement from the Luke Society, but no longer depend solely on this support since they are approaching self-sufficiency from within the ministry and/or help from other Christian organizations. PMT members might begin to play a less active role at this stage.

• Alumni Ministry: Ministries, which for a variety of reasons, no longer have a direct relationship with the Luke Society. However, the ministry is always considered a member of the family. Reasons can range from a director’s retirement to change in vision or termination of support for other reasons.