Why do many missionaries join agencies?
Why do some missionaries serve independent from an agency?
» more related questionsQ: Should I go with my denomination that provides a salary or with a non-denominational agency and raise support?
A: Consider the advantages of both.
Are you happy with the work that your denomination is doing, their policies, their history, etc.? If not, and you feel called to serve God as a missionary, you might want to explore a non-denominational agency. However, don't leap too quickly. Take your time to explore. Grass may look greener on the other side of the fence, but a closer look may lead you closer to home for other reasons.
Is your denomination serving in areas or geographical situations where you heart is pulling you? If not, you'll find agencies that are.
There are advantages of going out under your denominational board.
- You are familiar with their theology, polity, and ways of doing things.
- You may not have to raise support, since usually the denomination has their mission budget, and if they accept you, they will support you.
- You have a ready-made support system in the churches that make up the denomination.
- You will feel more a part of your home church.
- You will be able to have an influence in your denomination as the years go by.
He led us to a non-denominational mission agency. We did not feel happy with the theological orientation of our denomination when we were ready to go abroad, even though I had served as a minister within this denomination and had attended one of its seminaries. We had to raise support, which by God's grace we did. Most of it came from churches of our denomination! Our experience has been a happy one, but so was that of my parents who served within the denomination.
Is your denomination serving in areas or geographical situations where you heart is pulling you? If not, you'll find agencies that are.
There are advantages of going out under your denominational board.
- You are familiar with their theology, polity, and ways of doing things.
- You may not have to raise support, since usually the denomination has their mission budget, and if they accept you, they will support you.
- You have a ready-made support system in the churches that make up the denomination.
- You will feel more a part of your home church.
- You will be able to have an influence in your denomination as the years go by.
He led us to a non-denominational mission agency. We did not feel happy with the theological orientation of our denomination when we were ready to go abroad, even though I had served as a minister within this denomination and had attended one of its seminaries. We had to raise support, which by God's grace we did. Most of it came from churches of our denomination! Our experience has been a happy one, but so was that of my parents who served within the denomination.
A: Don't let fear of raising support make your decision.
The easy answer is to go for a salary with your denominational agency so you dont have to beg for money. But that ends up being the wrong reason. Raising support is hard, no doubt. But there are some real advantages you may not have if your funding comes automatically from a denomination:
You learn to share your vision in a way that is compelling and invites others. It is important to be able to do this, since when you are on the field, there will come many times that you will wonder what you are doing there and being firm in your vision and call are important.
You realize that you cannot do this on your own in a very tangible way. You see how God provides. That is an important lesson to learn and to live once on the field.
Many missionaries on denominational salary do not make the effort to build a solid prayer support team. We were so thankful for the hundreds of people we had praying for us people we probably never would have met if not for the support-raising.
Denominational agencies can do well if they do a good job connecting individual missionaries to individual local churches for partnership and prayer support.
You learn to share your vision in a way that is compelling and invites others. It is important to be able to do this, since when you are on the field, there will come many times that you will wonder what you are doing there and being firm in your vision and call are important.
You realize that you cannot do this on your own in a very tangible way. You see how God provides. That is an important lesson to learn and to live once on the field.
Many missionaries on denominational salary do not make the effort to build a solid prayer support team. We were so thankful for the hundreds of people we had praying for us people we probably never would have met if not for the support-raising.
Denominational agencies can do well if they do a good job connecting individual missionaries to individual local churches for partnership and prayer support.
A: Ask God for his specific plan for you.
When I was preparing to join WEC International, I was approached by a denomination that offered full support if I would join them. Doctrinally we were in harmony, and it seemed ideal. However, the denomination did not work where the Lord was leading my wife and me. About the same time a church contacted us and said that if we would work with them for two years in the USA then they would pay our total support overseas later. That was really exciting. But as we prayed, we felt the Lord leading us to decline and join WEC immediately.
We did join WEC, and saw God provide funding for us after very little time visiting friends and churches. When we got to the field, God arranged the political situation in Guinea-Bissau for us to be able to be the first missionaries to enter the Muslim half of the country and work with the blessing of the Muslim governor. Six months later the entire situation changed, and if we were not already there we could not have entered that part of the country. So if we had taken the generous offer from the church, we might have missed a wonderful open door.
God has a particular plan for you and He wants you to trust Him (Psalm 32:8,9) to find His way. Though I serve with a non-denominational agency, I am on the missions committee of a denominational church and I encourage members to serve with the denomination even as I recruit for WEC. I see full validity for both. Ask those who know you for input and pray for guidance.
We did join WEC, and saw God provide funding for us after very little time visiting friends and churches. When we got to the field, God arranged the political situation in Guinea-Bissau for us to be able to be the first missionaries to enter the Muslim half of the country and work with the blessing of the Muslim governor. Six months later the entire situation changed, and if we were not already there we could not have entered that part of the country. So if we had taken the generous offer from the church, we might have missed a wonderful open door.
God has a particular plan for you and He wants you to trust Him (Psalm 32:8,9) to find His way. Though I serve with a non-denominational agency, I am on the missions committee of a denominational church and I encourage members to serve with the denomination even as I recruit for WEC. I see full validity for both. Ask those who know you for input and pray for guidance.
