Why do many missionaries join agencies?
Why do some missionaries serve independent from an agency?
» more related questionsQ: How do I select an agency?
A: It's like a marriage. Do your homework.
A: Look for a fit.
How you choose an agency depends on all sorts of factors:
where you desire to serve
what you desire to do
what are your "essential" doctrinal positions
how much input you have in your assignments
what your home church thinks of the agency
how much support you are required to raise, and what percentage goes to the home office
view of the family. For example, how your children will be educated, how much time a married couple are away from each other, what happens in case of family difficulties
foreign language training--where, how, for how long.
If at all possible, speak to a missionary in an organization you are thinking about joining that works in an area you are thinking about going. They can give you the most accurate perspective of the pros and cons of that area.
If at all possible, speak to a missionary in an organization you are thinking about joining that works in an area you are thinking about going. They can give you the most accurate perspective of the pros and cons of that area.
A: Get perspective and ask questions.
When considering a mission agency, it's important to remember that at least four parties have roles in this decision -- you (the prospective missionary), God, the organization, and the church. Concerning the latter three, it’s important to recognize their role and interact with them often. Pray a lot -- consider not so much how and where God can use you, but tell the Lord you will go and serve for His sake no matter how difficult this might be. Realize and be aware of what God is doing in the world through taking a missions class like Perspectives. It will be difficult for you to do your part in making a decision on an agency without embracing the big picture of what God is doing in the world and without being equipped with His promises in the Word. Before we can know His will, we must be committed to doing it and to discovering His total plan for the world. This plan goes beyond the particular country or agency where you wish to go.
Next, the agency must select you as well, and you will be under their authority on the field. You are also under their authority in the selection process. Remember that the kingdom of God is bigger than just the one agency you may have your heart set on. The agency must consider how you will fit on one of their teams; therefore, your not being accepted usually is not a poor reflection on you. Lastly, your home church has a great role in sending you. Do they feel you are ready? Have you met with your pastor to pray about this? Do you wish to be a co-missionary of your church and the agency? What does the church think of the agency you've chosen?
This aside, what role do you, the prospective missionary, have? To begin with, God expects you to be thoughtful, careful, and discerning. Matthew 24 and 25 describe God's plan to first bring people from all people groups to know Him before Jesus will return. Once Jesus returns, the passage describes how judgment will ensue and God will look at how we treated the poor, hungry, destitute, and sick as we fulfilled the Great Commission. It is important to remember that how we fulfill the Great Commission does matter. Methodologies of mission organizations have great consequences. Do they treat the poor as you would treat Christ? If the agency does not work with the poor, how will you personally treat the poor or how will they be impacted? Will you be working with unreached peoples? Does the agency address people's physical, spiritual, emotional, or holistic needs?
Does the agency make disciples or just evangelize? Are they committed to planting an indigenous church where there is no church? How does the agency care for their missionaries? How do they resolve conflicts?
These questions can help you discern where the Lord is calling, but they presuppose a knowledge of the principles of scripture behind them. The agency's answers to these questions can then guide you. Taking time to pray and discover these answers will be a wonderful experience.
Next, the agency must select you as well, and you will be under their authority on the field. You are also under their authority in the selection process. Remember that the kingdom of God is bigger than just the one agency you may have your heart set on. The agency must consider how you will fit on one of their teams; therefore, your not being accepted usually is not a poor reflection on you. Lastly, your home church has a great role in sending you. Do they feel you are ready? Have you met with your pastor to pray about this? Do you wish to be a co-missionary of your church and the agency? What does the church think of the agency you've chosen?
This aside, what role do you, the prospective missionary, have? To begin with, God expects you to be thoughtful, careful, and discerning. Matthew 24 and 25 describe God's plan to first bring people from all people groups to know Him before Jesus will return. Once Jesus returns, the passage describes how judgment will ensue and God will look at how we treated the poor, hungry, destitute, and sick as we fulfilled the Great Commission. It is important to remember that how we fulfill the Great Commission does matter. Methodologies of mission organizations have great consequences. Do they treat the poor as you would treat Christ? If the agency does not work with the poor, how will you personally treat the poor or how will they be impacted? Will you be working with unreached peoples? Does the agency address people's physical, spiritual, emotional, or holistic needs?
Does the agency make disciples or just evangelize? Are they committed to planting an indigenous church where there is no church? How does the agency care for their missionaries? How do they resolve conflicts?
These questions can help you discern where the Lord is calling, but they presuppose a knowledge of the principles of scripture behind them. The agency's answers to these questions can then guide you. Taking time to pray and discover these answers will be a wonderful experience.
A: Be thorough and ask questions.
Here's my advice for one going through the process of joining a missions organization:
1. Review their theological orientation.
2. What is their passion? Do they have a unifying focus to their work? If so, what is it?
3. What's their relationship with the local church? How do they give leadership to your local church in the sending process?
4. Who makes the decisions? Are the leaders open to new ideas?
5. What's the organization's vision for the next five years?
6. How are missionaries supervised? Do missionaries have to submit reports? Are they read?
7. How does the mission avoid paternalism? How do they maintain their vision while listening to and developing national leaders? Does the mission have plans to move nationals into positions of authority? Is the mission developing institutions and entities that will be able to be supported nationally? Are national leaders expected to just carry on the pattern that the missionaries have established, or are they expected to lead with their own vision and are they empowered to do so?
8. How do they work with other denominations/ministries/mission organizations, etc.?
9. What's their philosophy/approach to member care and crisis management?
10. What provision is made for missionaries' children? How and where are they to be educated?
11. What kind of orientation is given to missionaries before they go to their place of service? ...when they return to their home country?
12. What provision is made for the missionaries' continuing education? Are study leaves encouraged?
13. How much language preparation does the agency allow the missionary candidate to have? What does the organization say its weaknesses are? (This gives insight into openness to change and healthy self-awareness in need for growth.)
Don't forget the local church. Seek leadership/counsel from your local church/pastor from the beginning of the process. Set up a regular time to meet/pray/discuss the process with him or her.
1. Review their theological orientation.
2. What is their passion? Do they have a unifying focus to their work? If so, what is it?
3. What's their relationship with the local church? How do they give leadership to your local church in the sending process?
4. Who makes the decisions? Are the leaders open to new ideas?
5. What's the organization's vision for the next five years?
6. How are missionaries supervised? Do missionaries have to submit reports? Are they read?
7. How does the mission avoid paternalism? How do they maintain their vision while listening to and developing national leaders? Does the mission have plans to move nationals into positions of authority? Is the mission developing institutions and entities that will be able to be supported nationally? Are national leaders expected to just carry on the pattern that the missionaries have established, or are they expected to lead with their own vision and are they empowered to do so?
8. How do they work with other denominations/ministries/mission organizations, etc.?
9. What's their philosophy/approach to member care and crisis management?
10. What provision is made for missionaries' children? How and where are they to be educated?
11. What kind of orientation is given to missionaries before they go to their place of service? ...when they return to their home country?
12. What provision is made for the missionaries' continuing education? Are study leaves encouraged?
13. How much language preparation does the agency allow the missionary candidate to have? What does the organization say its weaknesses are? (This gives insight into openness to change and healthy self-awareness in need for growth.)
Don't forget the local church. Seek leadership/counsel from your local church/pastor from the beginning of the process. Set up a regular time to meet/pray/discuss the process with him or her.
