The choice of a mission agency is more critical than the choice of the country in which you serve. You read that correctly! With factors such as doctrine, values, policies, services, and co-workers, the stakes for selecting the right agency are sky-high. So how can you ensure you are choosing the right one? Imagine a path between where you are now and your final decision. It has many intersections along the way where you’ll need to decide which way to go. The decisions often build upon each other – with the first being the most foundational, setting the direction for the rest of the journey. Let’s take a look at the most significant decision points on this path and what you’ll need to consider to land on the final selection that’s right for you.
First Fork in the Road: Doctrine
This first decision is foundational and regulated by your doctrinal compatibility. Every mission organization has a doctrinal statement, but the differences can be nuanced, so you’ll need to take a close look at the doctrinal position of the agency you are considering. If there are doctrines with which you do not agree, your decision is an easy one. But if you are in general agreement with the doctrine of an agency, there are three areas to dig deeper within this category.
The first critical area to explore is what is NOT written. Doctrinal statements are not equally detailed. Some make very general statements, while others are very specific. If a doctrinal statement is generic and your convictions are detailed, you will need to decide if you can work with an agency and co-workers who may be doctrinally diverse from you. On the other hand, if an agency holds a position that you do not hold, it is ethically wrong to join that organization.
A second critical issue to consider is whether the agency remains consistent with its stated doctrinal position. Some agencies require all members to periodically reaffirm their commitment to the doctrinal position, and others do not. Some agencies require compliance in the home country but relax their position overseas. So it is important to explore the consistency issue.
A third critical area is the agency’s approach to relationships. Some agencies are broad in their ecumenism. Others may be more careful about cooperating only with believers who are doctrinally compatible. Exploring each of these areas will help you decide which direction to take at your first important intersection on the journey.
Second Fork in the Road: Values
Most agencies will publicly declare their “values.” This is a list of qualities or principles that summarize what is important to them as an organization. This will reveal their personality as well as where they place priorities. It lets you know how they make decisions and where they will focus their resources. For instance, an organization that claims the “centrality of the local church” as a value will be very different from an agency that does not make the local church a priority. Agencies that value teamwork will be radically different from the ones in which missionaries do not work together.
An agency may have a specific philosophy of ministry or it may not. You must develop your own set of values and know your strengths and areas of challenge as well as your standards and preferences. Make sure that you have the freedom to proceed with your ministry in a way that is compatible with your own personal philosophy of ministry. An agency’s values statement may give you good insight, but it would be wise to talk to mission leadership and missionaries about how the values are practiced out on the field.
You will also want to look at where the agency places its core missions emphasis. Some focus on church planting, while others add church planting to a long list of other things they do. Some agencies are very institutional in their culture, while others are more family-oriented. All these are areas that define the overall culture of an organization, which is important when it comes to fit and function. Once you determine which agencies fit, you’re ready to move on to the next key decision on the path.
Third Fork in the Road: Policies
Every agency has a constitution, by-laws, and policies that govern how they operate. It is possible to be entirely compatible in doctrine and values but mismatched in policy. Policies deal with a wide variety of issues such as finances, purchasing a home, reporting, organizational structure, support schedules, schooling your children, furloughs, prayer letters, personal standards, medical insurance, field organization, Bible translations, retirement, and church planting methods just to name a few. Take a detailed look at the agency’s policies and be intentional to work through how it might play out in the field because these will become the guidelines by which you will operate your life and ministry.
These policies have likely been established because of many years of experience in missions and are designed to protect and guide you to a successful missionary experience. Ask probing questions about the ones of which you’re unsure and be cautious about rejecting a board because of a policy you don’t understand. However, also be very careful about joining a mission family that has policies you cannot live with. As you move forward along the path, you’re getting closer to finding your agency home. The next intersection to consider is Services.
Fourth Fork in the Road: Services
When it comes to services offered to missionaries, there are basically two kinds of mission boards: clearing houses and full-service agencies. A clearing house’s main service is to receipt funds so that donors can receive a legitimate tax-deductible receipt. A full-service agency has an entire menu of services they provide to missionaries and donors. When deciding between these two types of agencies, a good question to ask yourself is if you want to create your own support system or if you want an established support system serving you.
Full-service agencies provide many areas of support such as financial services, training, accountability, income tax filing, bill paying, recruiting, prayer letters, visa assistance, field conferences, emergency management services, audio/visuals, literature, coaching in fundraising and networking, member care services, life-long learning opportunities, conflict resolution, team members recruiting, and any number of other services. Before dismissing these as unnecessary or too costly, be aware that international ministry is complex and sometimes difficult to navigate. For example, a full-service agency will provide help in language learning strategies and training in culture adaptation whereas you’d have to take this on yourself if you went the clearing house route.
As a full-service agency, we believe strongly that the support we offer to our missionaries has made a clear difference in their success on the field. Many missionaries on their own have rendered themselves ineffective simply because they did not have someone to guide them in these fundamental areas. Plus, with an increasingly volatile world, you may determine it’s wise to have a support system behind you with expertise in how to handle crisis or emergency situations. The value of a full-service agency is that it will provide expertise and services that are not easily found elsewhere. So as you come to this penultimate junction on your journey, take a look at the services offered to make sure they provide the level of support you desire.
Last Fork in the Road: Candidate Orientation
You have now reached the last critical intersection on the path – Candidate Orientation. Most agencies will have some form of orientation to the mission agency. This is a time for you to get to know this organization in depth. All the items listed above should be reviewed in detail and the leadership should give you ample time for Q&A. Before you sign on the dotted line, you should have the opportunity to explore any areas of interest. It is helpful to talk personally with the mission leadership to understand their heart and attitude regarding all that is written. This can only be done face to face. You will want to get to know the leader at headquarters that will serve your field as well as the leadership on the field.
This last step of face-to-face discussion should reconfirm to you that all the previous paths taken up to this point were correct decisions. Near the end of the candidate orientation, you will face your final fork in the road to make your decision. Take time to prayerfully review each of the previous decision points and carefully assess if you are on the right path. Do you feel uneasy or unsettled about any of the areas? If so, determine what is causing discomfort or apprehension and address it. Do you have any unanswered questions or concerns? Find the right contacts and get the answers and details you need to make an informed decision. If you are at peace and the Lord is confirming your direction, you’re ready to make your final selection. And that’s when the adventure really begins!
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