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HOW
TO CHOOSE A MISSION AGENCY
 The
choice of a mission agency is more critical than the choice of the
country in which you serve. The agency and your co-workers can often
"make or break" your missionary experience. Therefore,
it is imperative to understand how to choose the right agency. This
decision process is similar to walking down a path and coming to
a series of splits in the road. At each "Y" junction you
need to make a decision to go left or right. That will put you on
a path that will lead you to another split in the road where your
decision will lead yet to another split. So with this imagery in
mind, start down the path of choosing the right mission organization
for you.
 FIRST
FORK IN THE ROAD:
DOCTRINE
- The
first decision is regulated by your doctrinal compatibility. Every
mission organization has a doctrinal statement, but there is a
lot of variety at this point. 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 already made for
you. But there is more to this than mere agreement with what is
written. One of the critical issues to decipher is: What is NOT
written?" Doctrinal statements are not equally detailed.
Some make very general statements. 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 co-workers who are
doctrinally diverse from you. On the other hand, if an agency
has a position that you do not hold, it is ethically wrong to
join that organization.
- A
second critical issue to consider is whether or not the agency
remains consistent with their stated doctrinal position. Some
agencies require all members to periodically re-affirm their commitment
to the doctrinal position…others do not. Some agencies require
compliance here in the States, 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 with believers who are doctrinally incompatible.
Exploring each of these issues will help you decide whether to
take the road on the left or the right.
 SECOND
FORK IN THE ROAD:
VALUES
Most agencies will publicly declare their "values." This
is a list of issues summarizing what is important to them as an
organization. This will reveal their personality. It is a list of
their priorities. It lets you know what they will do in making decisions
and where they will focus their resources. For instance, an organization
that says the "centrality of the local church" is a value
will be very different from an agency that does not make this a
priority. For instance, some agencies value teamwork. That organization
will be radically different from the one in which missionaries do
not work together. An agency may have a specific philosophy of ministry
or it may not. 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. The values statement may give you a good
insight but you may wish to talk to mission leadership and missionaries
about how values work themselves out on the field. You will also
want to look at where the agency places its 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…others more family oriented. All of these are
areas that define the "culture" of an organization. Once
you find the agency that "fits," choose that path until
you come to this next fork in the road.
 THIRD
FORK IN THE ROAD:
POLICIES
Every agency has a constitution, some "by-laws" and certain
policies that govern how they operate. It is possible to be entirely
compatible in doctrine and values but their policies may become
an irritant to you. Policies deal with a wide variety of issues
such as: finances, purchasing a home, reports, organizational structure,
support schedules, schooling your children, furloughs, prayer letters,
personal standards, medical insurance, field organization, Bible
versions, retirement, church planting methods or any other topic.
Take a look at the agency's policies because these will become guidelines
by which you will operate your life and ministry. These policies
have been established because of many years of experience in missions,
so be cautious about rejecting a board because of a policy you don't
understand. It is highly likely that the policy is designed to protect
and guide you to a successful missionary experience. But also be
very careful about joining a mission family that has policies you
cannot live with.
 FOURTH
FORK IN THE ROAD:
SERVICES
From this vantage point, there are basically two kinds of mission
boards. The first is a "clearing house" that receipts
funds so that donors can receive a legitimate tax-deductible receipt.
The second type is a "full service" kind of agency. This
second type has an entire menu of services they provide to the missionary
and donors. One of the critical decisions to make is whether you
want to be on your own or if you want a support system serving you.
Full service agencies provide for many areas of support that the
"clearing house mission" does not. Some of these functions
are: financial services, training, accountability, income tax filing,
bill paying, recruiting, prayer letters, visa assistance, field
conferences, emergency management services, audio visuals, literature,
coaching in support raising and help in making contacts, 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
ministries is ever increasingly complex. For instance, you definitely
want help in language learning strategies and training in cultural
adaptation if you plan to serve in foreign fields. Many missionaries
on their own have rendered themselves ineffective, simply because
they did not have someone to guide them in this area. With an increasingly
volatile world, you definitely want someone behind you that knows
how to handle a crisis or a hostage situation. The value of a "full
service" agency is that they will provide expertise and services
that are not easily found elsewhere. So as you come to the fourth
fork in the road, take a look at the services to make sure they
provide the level of support you desire.
 FIFTH
FORK IN THE ROAD:
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 of the items listed above should be reviewed in detail.
The leadership should give you ample time for questions and answers.
This process is similar to courtship. Before you say the final "I
do," it is critical to make sure that you really want to get
married. The candidate orientation is similar to a final date prior
to the wedding. Before you sign on the dotted line, you will 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 of all that is written. This can only be done
face-to-face. It should re-confirm to you that all the previous
paths taken up to this point were correct decisions. You will want
to get to know the leader at the home office that will serve your
field and you will want to get to know the leadership on the field.
Near the end of the candidate orientation you will face your final
fork in the road to make your final decision. If you have taken
all five paths up to this point, the decision will be obvious to
you.
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