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Pick a Mission Fitting Your Church's Vision and Beliefs
Your church’s first time to hear of your agency choice should never be at the point of requesting your pastor to sign an agency’s pastoral reference form. This is a decision best made jointly with your sending church.
Imagine this scenario: Your parents have every reason to believe that they have a warm, close relationship with you. They’ve raised you well. Without warning, you notify them that you’ve developed a roman c relationship (with someone they’ve not heard of previously), got engaged (without their approval), and already set a wedding date for the near future. But, wait, there’s more! You continue. As you tell them this incredible new news, you tell them that you and your intended expect them to totally pay for an extravagant wedding; and, on top of that, you’re expecting them to financially support you for the rest of your life. How do you think that would go over? That scenario is analogous to you “deciding” to be a missionary, go out and apply to a mission board, get accepted, choose or be assigned to a prospective eld, and THEN telling your church about it. How could you expect that to work?
Hopefully by now you are convinced of a strong, local church-centered ministry philosophy. Yet your church’s heart to be deeply involved in your ministry does not negate the usefulness of having a partnership relationship with a reputable sending agency. You’ll need prayerful discernment as you and your church leaders sift through the information and promotional materials. Asking the right questions will save you a lot of headache and surprises down the road.
Local churches tend to overestimate their abilities and underestimate the complexities of functioning as their own mission agency.
Why do you need a mission agency?
For a variety of theological and practical reasons some churches and missionaries question the need for a mission agency. After all, the churches in Acts directly sent missionaries. And, at first glance, it seems much less expensive to bypass the mission agency.
Local churches tend to overestimate their abilities and underestimate the complexities of functioning as their own mission agency. A well-selected mission agency lends its specialized expertise, adding benefits and help to the local church in managing some complex issues, including:
Should you serve with your denomination’s mission agency?
The answer is: very possibly! However, it would probably be a mistake to make that assumption without also asking the right questions to help confirm your decision.
What are the questions you should be asking about potential mission agency partners? Here are some important places to start.
What should you expect in the application process?
Once you’ve chosen your sending agency, you’ll apply to become a member. This process will include:
After reviewing your application, the mission agency may extend an invitation for you to attend its one or two week Candidate Orientation School (or equivalent) at its headquarters and at your own cost. The agency is relying heavily on your references and test results, along with orientation, to make a decision on offering you membership. Your local church should know you far better than what the agency can know about you through a relatively limited process. This is why your church’s recommendation is arguably the most important element of your application.
Candidate Orientation usually includes the following elements:
If you have been diligent in preparing, you will probably receive a letter of acceptance with contingencies. The contingencies will address specific needs for personal growth, development, and/or skill building and requirements for your prospective specific field and ministry.
Though not common, it’s ideal for your sending church and sending agency to draft a written partnership agreement or memo of understanding to secure their ongoing role in your ministry direction, shepherding, and evaluation. See the book, HERE to THERE to find Appendix B: A Sample Sending Church - Mission Agency Partnership Agreement (simplified)
Now you begin the path of focused preparation for field ministry.
Questions for reflection:
Resources are shown in the book, HERE to THERE
Imagine this scenario: Your parents have every reason to believe that they have a warm, close relationship with you. They’ve raised you well. Without warning, you notify them that you’ve developed a roman c relationship (with someone they’ve not heard of previously), got engaged (without their approval), and already set a wedding date for the near future. But, wait, there’s more! You continue. As you tell them this incredible new news, you tell them that you and your intended expect them to totally pay for an extravagant wedding; and, on top of that, you’re expecting them to financially support you for the rest of your life. How do you think that would go over? That scenario is analogous to you “deciding” to be a missionary, go out and apply to a mission board, get accepted, choose or be assigned to a prospective eld, and THEN telling your church about it. How could you expect that to work?
Hopefully by now you are convinced of a strong, local church-centered ministry philosophy. Yet your church’s heart to be deeply involved in your ministry does not negate the usefulness of having a partnership relationship with a reputable sending agency. You’ll need prayerful discernment as you and your church leaders sift through the information and promotional materials. Asking the right questions will save you a lot of headache and surprises down the road.
Local churches tend to overestimate their abilities and underestimate the complexities of functioning as their own mission agency.
Why do you need a mission agency?
For a variety of theological and practical reasons some churches and missionaries question the need for a mission agency. After all, the churches in Acts directly sent missionaries. And, at first glance, it seems much less expensive to bypass the mission agency.
Local churches tend to overestimate their abilities and underestimate the complexities of functioning as their own mission agency. A well-selected mission agency lends its specialized expertise, adding benefits and help to the local church in managing some complex issues, including:
- Retirement plans
- Group health insurance
- Field supervision and accountability
- Language study
- Financial management involving foreign currency
- Compliance with tax codes and requirements
- Experienced strategy and personnel management
- Visa and immigration legalities
- Corporate identity and team issues in the target country
Should you serve with your denomination’s mission agency?
The answer is: very possibly! However, it would probably be a mistake to make that assumption without also asking the right questions to help confirm your decision.
What are the questions you should be asking about potential mission agency partners? Here are some important places to start.
- What’s the agency’s doctrinal statement? This area is of paramount importance. It drives every agency’s field ministry and leadership decisions. You’ll want substantial agreement in doctrine rather than general agreement over a broad “evangelical” statement of faith. How does its doctrinal statement compare with your church’s doctrinal statement in the following areas? >> God’s sovereignty >>The sufficiency of Scripture >>A God-centered view of salvation >>Agreement with the five solas of the historical Reformation >>Strength in the primary matters of the Gospel (such as the deity of the Triune God and the exclusivity of the Gospel) >>Appropriate freedom in secondary matters, matters of Christian conscience, and disciplinary issues
- How does the agency operate financially? Consider at least three key areas. >> How are you expected to raise financial support? >> What is the agency’s monthly administrative fee? >> Does the agency operate with financial integrity?
- Is the agency experienced in your ministry or region?
- How is the agency organized to lead the work on the field?
- How willing is the agency to partner with your church? The answer to this question can be a deal breaker with your church. If your church wants to authentically partner with you and your ministry, the prospective mission agency partner must allow for an enlarged role for your sending church. See some of the sample terms in Appendix B: A Sample Sending Church - Mission Agency Partnership Agreement (simplified) - available in the HERE to THERE book.
- What is the agency’s missiological framework and strategy?
- How does the agency relate to indigenous Christians on the field?
- What quality of member care does the agency provide?
- What does the agency’s “Member handbook” tell you? An agency should be glad to let you read its manual of organizational policies. It’s a helpful glance inside the organization that will inform you on issues such as: >> Rules and regulations for behavior, >> Organizational structure, >> Expectations for accountability and reporting, >> Support requirements and expectations, >> Administrative costs, >> While the handbook probably won’t be a major factor in deciding on an agency, its description of the agency’s organizational culture may tip the balance in favor of one over another.
- How does the agency address current issues and trends?
What should you expect in the application process?
Once you’ve chosen your sending agency, you’ll apply to become a member. This process will include:
- References: You’ll be asked to provide character references from your church, school, workplace and friends. The agency will likely ask your references for other references.
- Bible and doctrine assessment: You’ll usually take standardized tests to determine your basic Bible knowledge and theological understanding. The best doctrinal exams will frame questions in a field context, such as, “Over coffee, a Muslim friend asks you to explain the Trinity … “ Ideally, the mission will provide both a score and feedback to you regarding your results on the tests.
- Psychological testing: Though the effectiveness of secular normed standardized psychological testing is questionable, many agencies use this means to discern aberrant behavior or weaknesses that could become a liability or disqualification for field service. We encourage a more biblical approach of relationship and discipleship tailored to building leadership character (e.g. 1 Tim. 3, “above reproach”) of ministry leaders. If you and your church leaders work with you through your answers to direct, probing questions, that process will be worth more. See Appendix C: 21 Questions for Missionary Candidates - available in the HERE to THERE book.
After reviewing your application, the mission agency may extend an invitation for you to attend its one or two week Candidate Orientation School (or equivalent) at its headquarters and at your own cost. The agency is relying heavily on your references and test results, along with orientation, to make a decision on offering you membership. Your local church should know you far better than what the agency can know about you through a relatively limited process. This is why your church’s recommendation is arguably the most important element of your application.
Candidate Orientation usually includes the following elements:
- An introduction to the agency’s history and vision
- A virtual tour of the agency’s fields of service and types of ministries
- An intensive series of interviews and evaluations
- Pointed questions about your testimony, personal life and ministry experience
- Instruction about expectations, requirements, and public image as a member of the mission
- Instruction about fund-raising and accountability
If you have been diligent in preparing, you will probably receive a letter of acceptance with contingencies. The contingencies will address specific needs for personal growth, development, and/or skill building and requirements for your prospective specific field and ministry.
Though not common, it’s ideal for your sending church and sending agency to draft a written partnership agreement or memo of understanding to secure their ongoing role in your ministry direction, shepherding, and evaluation. See the book, HERE to THERE to find Appendix B: A Sample Sending Church - Mission Agency Partnership Agreement (simplified)
Now you begin the path of focused preparation for field ministry.
Questions for reflection:
- What's most important to you about the mission agency you would join? Why?
- Does your sending church have strong relationships with any mission agencies, and if so, which ones? Are any of these possibilities?
- Have you participated in any agency's short-term trips? What did you like about those agencies? What did you dislike?
Resources are shown in the book, HERE to THERE