It may make you uncomfortable to treat a missionary like you are subjecting them to an interview process. However, most of them should understand and if they would like you to partner with them would encourage you to ask these questions. It communicates that you care and it will help you to understand more about what you are getting behind and do it more wholeheartedly. Anyone who asks these types of questions before supporting a missionary or their church should be commended.
FOUNDATION
What is the ministries sense of calling to this specific work? Why does the missionary believe they are called to this, what kind of qualifications, experience, and training do they have?
What is this ministries understanding of the Gospel? There are a lot of causes out there simply serving men. If a mission does not have a firm grasp on the Gospel then it cannot be a God-centered ministry.
Is this ministry biblically sound and Christ-centered? This is not the same as asking if they belong to your church or denomination. Often we may not participate in a good work the Lord is doing if we make that our criteria. But, do ask enough important theological questions to know if you are more or less on the same page and that they have the theology necessary to help them endure well on the mission field. You might also ask how they would handle different theological situations or what they believe about issues important to you.
How does this ministry communicate the Gospel and biblical truths to the culture they are in? Do they understand the culture and are their methods for reaching them informed, effective, and wise?
[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”#87bff0″ class=”” size=”16″]Understand more about what you are getting behind and do it more wholeheartedly Share on X[/pullquote]
IMPLEMENTATION
What sets this ministry apart from the other ones you could invest in? There are a lot of ministries to give to out there. Some encourage people to choose two or three and back them in a serious way, as opposed to supporting many in smaller ways. What is it about this ministry that would make you want to support them in a large way?
Does the ministry actually do those things that it tells you it’s going to do? Of course, situations may change on the field and everything cannot be predicted or controlled. It is possible that we may have one plan and God have another. Missionaries must possess flexibility and be able to roll with the punches. However, is their direction and intentionality consistently working towards the vision the ministry communicated with you? What is the fruit and evidence of it?
Do the ministry leaders possess strong character and integrity? If you don’t personally know them, try to get an objective view. Ask them what their weaknesses are and see how they respond. Consult with others. Get in touch with their pastors or people who have worked under or alongside them in ministry.
What church has sent them out or what church(es) are they working alongside? What church they are apart of should answer many questions about their theological distinctions and methods. It also gives you a contact base to follow up on them with and get character references. It is highly important that the ministry be tightly connected to a church in the States and/or abroad.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Are they using the funds efficiently? A good portion of the funds should go straight to fieldwork, however it is normal for a portion of the funds to go to overhead and fundraising. Ask them what percentage is used for each and how the funds on the field are being used.
This may be a bit much, but I have heard of organizations calculating souls won to the dollar. Each missions context is different, requires a different amount of workers, a different method at times, different amounts of money for different projects, and will result in differing amounts of fruit. Judging by souls won seems like a poor way to calculate efficiency. Rather, look to the integrity of the workers, the soundness of the strategy, what is being taught by them, and the perseverance in the work over time.
How much money do they need and how long will they need your support? Ask them what their long-term goals are and for how long they plan to need your support. If they are long-term missionaries, consider sticking with them for the long haul. If you don’t think it is a ministry you can stick with for 20 or 30 years, or for life, then I would recommend finding one you can commit to in that way.
Are they financially accountable/transparent? “Accountable” can mean a lot of different things to different people. Ask them if they do periodic financial reports and if they are available by request.
Before giving elsewhere, have you fulfilled your giving obligation to your local church? Giving to your church should take first place. You should also ask your church how they are using the money and if they are funding missionaries. What percentage of their funds goes to what?
ACCEPTIONS
There may be acceptations to this and God has done many great things through missionaries who did not fit all of these criteria to a T. I would never put God in a box, however, these questions can give you a good basis to get you started praying about where to invest your money.
For two other excellent articles on this topic visit the websites of:
The EFCA, Evangelical Counsel for Financial Accountability
Eternal Perspective Ministries with Randy Alcorn
Do you agree with our list of questions? What other questions are important to ask a missionary?
Not to be a word police, but your "acceptions" should read "exceptions." God bless.
Noted. lol