Why do many missionaries join agencies?
Why do some missionaries serve independent from an agency?
» more related questionsQ: Should I join a larger missions agency or a smaller one?
A: Consider several factors.
The biggest concern is: does this agency work in the country that God is leading you to serve? Next, is the agency big enough to give you proper support and leadership on the field and support in your home country? You want an established group that has member care guidelines in place and is financially responsible. Integrity counts in missions more than in most fields. You want to be affiliated with an agency with a good reputation.
A: Look at advantages of all sizes - and most of all, God's fit for you.
Larger agencies have advantages:
- There are more opportunities for service, so you might better be able to find something that fits your gifts closer.
- Built in support system with others in the organization.
- Name recognition can help with fundraising.
Smaller agencies have advantages:
- Less bureaucracy.
- Can be more flexible.
- Potential for new ideas might be better.
I suggest you start not by looking at an organization, but by what, where or who interests you. For instance, if you're interested in ministering to Muslims, start by looking at organizations that specialize in work with Muslims, such as Frontiers. If you're a nurse, start by looking at organizations that do medical missions or community development work.
Sure, a lot of very good organizations that don't specialize in nursing or Muslims will still be able to put you and your interests and expertise to very good Kingdom work. But more important than the size of an organization is how it fits with where God has for you to serve in this season of ministry.
- There are more opportunities for service, so you might better be able to find something that fits your gifts closer.
- Built in support system with others in the organization.
- Name recognition can help with fundraising.
Smaller agencies have advantages:
- Less bureaucracy.
- Can be more flexible.
- Potential for new ideas might be better.
I suggest you start not by looking at an organization, but by what, where or who interests you. For instance, if you're interested in ministering to Muslims, start by looking at organizations that specialize in work with Muslims, such as Frontiers. If you're a nurse, start by looking at organizations that do medical missions or community development work.
Sure, a lot of very good organizations that don't specialize in nursing or Muslims will still be able to put you and your interests and expertise to very good Kingdom work. But more important than the size of an organization is how it fits with where God has for you to serve in this season of ministry.
A: Smaller may be better.
answer from Jim, who has served for ten years in Kazakhstan and now the USA. He is with a smaller agency, The Mission Society, www.themissionsociety.org.
There are so many excellent agencies that it can be hard to know where to start. Our agency was one of 270 represented at the huge Urbana missions conference.
Size is one way to get started at narrowing your choices.
Some advantages of a large agency are:
1) They are usually older - more established and mature.
2) They will usually have more opportunities worldwide.
3) They often have regional setups that will connect you with other missionaries once on the field.
Some advantages of a smaller agency are:
1) They are usually more personal - you get to know the staff in a more personal way.
2) Often there can be greater flexibility in helping you pursue a specific call. A larger organization for the sake of efficiency may tend to have molds that you need to fit into.
3) You'll find you have more opportunities to impact the way the agency develops. The fact it is less established can allow for more rapid adaptation to new realities.
I have huge respect for many of the larger agencies - they do incredible work. There are many people who do and should serve in them. But as a veteran missionary from a smaller agency and now on staff, I'll give a plug for it. I recall the years of exploration during which staff members walked with us to help explore our specific call, rather than sending us forms to complete and simply deploying us to a pre-defined role. We keep a very personal connection with our missionaries, from the time they first contact us onward. And we are able to adapt to very different situations since there is not such a large missionary force that we are forced to work only in general categories.
Your own calling will also determine whether a small or large agency is best for you.
There are so many excellent agencies that it can be hard to know where to start. Our agency was one of 270 represented at the huge Urbana missions conference.
Size is one way to get started at narrowing your choices.
Some advantages of a large agency are:
1) They are usually older - more established and mature.
2) They will usually have more opportunities worldwide.
3) They often have regional setups that will connect you with other missionaries once on the field.
Some advantages of a smaller agency are:
1) They are usually more personal - you get to know the staff in a more personal way.
2) Often there can be greater flexibility in helping you pursue a specific call. A larger organization for the sake of efficiency may tend to have molds that you need to fit into.
3) You'll find you have more opportunities to impact the way the agency develops. The fact it is less established can allow for more rapid adaptation to new realities.
I have huge respect for many of the larger agencies - they do incredible work. There are many people who do and should serve in them. But as a veteran missionary from a smaller agency and now on staff, I'll give a plug for it. I recall the years of exploration during which staff members walked with us to help explore our specific call, rather than sending us forms to complete and simply deploying us to a pre-defined role. We keep a very personal connection with our missionaries, from the time they first contact us onward. And we are able to adapt to very different situations since there is not such a large missionary force that we are forced to work only in general categories.
Your own calling will also determine whether a small or large agency is best for you.
A: Larger may be better.
For nine years I went on short term mission trips with a small agency and learned much from the agency and its missionaries and leaders. However, when the time came for my family and I to go full time, there were several concerns about the small agency. I presented these to the head of the agency and he was very happy to address them. The outcome, however, was a tough decision as the answers to the questions were not satisfactory. God directed me to consider two larger agencies that filled the needs and addressed my concerns.
First, determine what it is exactly that God has called you to do. Is there an agency that lines up with that focus regardless of their size? It could also be that you start with a smaller agency and go to a larger one as I did, or visa versa.
Interview the agency leaders. Write down your concerns and then ask them questions as if you were applying for a job. Give them situations and see how they handle them. Here is an example that I used during my interview process with all of the agencies. Since my family is going to serve full time with me, my concern is for their safety. I asked, if the country should have an uprising, what is your policy and procedure for the missionaries that are in that country? The follow-up was, have you ever done this before? Some of the smaller agencies do not have policies or procedures for this and some do.
Finally, the most important one to ask is God. You have done your homework and found out all the facts. God will reveal what you need to know for your future. Read James 1:5.
First, determine what it is exactly that God has called you to do. Is there an agency that lines up with that focus regardless of their size? It could also be that you start with a smaller agency and go to a larger one as I did, or visa versa.
Interview the agency leaders. Write down your concerns and then ask them questions as if you were applying for a job. Give them situations and see how they handle them. Here is an example that I used during my interview process with all of the agencies. Since my family is going to serve full time with me, my concern is for their safety. I asked, if the country should have an uprising, what is your policy and procedure for the missionaries that are in that country? The follow-up was, have you ever done this before? Some of the smaller agencies do not have policies or procedures for this and some do.
Finally, the most important one to ask is God. You have done your homework and found out all the facts. God will reveal what you need to know for your future. Read James 1:5.
A: Focus on fit, not size.
The most important thing to consider in a mission agency is its DNA -- its purpose for existence and ethos. You wouldn't work with a strictly Medical Missions agency if your goal was to do Bible translation. You want an agency that will be a good fit for your goals, calling and personality. The agency I work for is a very narrow-minded agency in the sense that we have a specific purpose -- mobilizing and training missionaries who will reach the unreached by planting and multiplying the local church. We also send to that end. Our aim is not starting seminaries or being a medical mission, rather our aim is to reach the unreached. Regardless of the qualifications, if someone wants to join us whose aim is not in line with that, they would not be a good fit.
A: Look for an agency which fits you.
Like us, each agency has a personality. You need to find one which fits you. Smaller agencies tend to be more specialized, and you may develop a closer relationship with everyone in the agency. Larger agencies tend to offer more options for service, and have more fringe benefits, usually involving financial and insurance options.
In any case, the only right answer for you is the one which the Holy Spirit shows you.
In any case, the only right answer for you is the one which the Holy Spirit shows you.
