In Tepid Praise of Independent Missionaries (Part 2)

Over the night, I feel like there is one more area of praise when it comes to Independent Missionaries.

E. Finances. I have seen the budgets set aside for a missionary family to serve overseas through an American mission agency. The numbers can be pretty staggering, at least compared to what many independent missionaries have. Independent missionaries TEND to be more cost effective in the work they do. Additionally, they have tseen he ability to invest their (limited) funds in areas that they see are best… without having to convince a team mobilizer and accountants back in the home country. We have seen that in times of local disasters where we could immediately put some money into specific areas well before agencies are able to respond.

Okay, so I gave some positive things… what about negative things. After all, I said my praise is tepid.

#1. Poor vetting. Independent missionaries often have had little vetting to verify their competence, education, and spiritual resiliency. Of course, sometime agency vetting ends up setting aside good people. However, such vetting often does identify people who REALLY SHOULD NOT GO INTO MISSIONS! I have definitely met a few (thankfully only a few) independent missionaries who I question whether they should be in missions.

#2. Training. Independent missionaries have to develop their own self-training program. Some do that and, in fact, may do better than what some agencies do. However, some independent missionaries may be woefully under-trained, or mis-trained.

#3. Finances. Independent Missionaries often struggle to stay supported. This can be true of Agency missionaries… especially those that get (humorously) labeled as “faith-based.” Nevertheless, I have seen far too many independent missionaries have to leave because of support issues. This is even more noticeable when it comes to education for children and medical care. While Independent missionaries may often be able to minister more frugally… that is not always a good thing. Additionally, I have know at least a couple of examples of independent missionaries who were REALLY GOOD AT SUPPORT-RAISING. In fact, I would argue they were TOO good. There can be a problem with lack of oversight/accountability in this area. This leads to the next point.

#4. Accountability. Independent missionaries must create their own accountability partners to some extent… especially in the field. Agency missionaries USUALLY have an accountability system in place. If independent missionaries decide that they don’t need accountability partners, or choose ones that are not good holding them accountable… that is a problem.

#5. Independent missionaries have to do it all in some sense. They have to support raise, take care of their own education, medical care, legal status, among many other things. That can be draining.

The freedom and flexibility that can help an independent missionary be more successful, can also lead to their downfall. It is not for everyone. I would say that people who are rejected by mission agencies should do some deep soul-searching to see if the concerns of the agencies have merit. Independent missionaries have to create their own accountability, training, partnerships, and more. There is great potential, but also great potential pitfalls.