Congratulations! But now, you face the important decision of choosing a mission board. Even more important than the country in which you will work, the board with which you will serve will largely determine your happiness and effectiveness as a missionary. Unity of doctrine, methods and common goals with those you labor with will alleviate tensions and frustrations. Friction on such issues saps the energy, robs the joy and diverts the focus from the ministry of a missionary. Some things need to be considered in choosing a mission board.

I. Doctrinal Position:

A clear allegiance to the authority of Scripture in all doctrinal positions is inexpressibly important. Firm belief in the verbal plenary inspiration of the Bible in its original languages settles authority for doctrine and life. Making experience and rationalism the basis of theology seems to be all too prevalent today. A position on Scripture settles the fundamentals of the faith, the message and the hope of the mission task. Doctrinal harmony will flow from this common faith among all your fellow missionaries. Pay attention to the doctrinal statement of a mission board and whether it abides by its teachings.

II. Baptist Distinctives:

If you and your home church are Baptist, you would treasure Baptist distinctives. Any label that truthfully reveals the content of a bottle has great value. This is equally true of mission boards. Many consider themselves “Baptistic” but refuse to start Baptist churches. This term seems to reveal a desire for the support of Baptist churches but a refusal for commitment to the disctinctives and label of “Baptist.” Such distinctives include Biblical authority, autonomy of the local church, priesthood of all believers, the ordinances of believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper, individual soul liberty, saved church membership, the offices of pastor and deacon, and separation of church and state. So, if you are a Baptist, you would desire to serve under a Baptist mission board.

III. Concept of the Mission Task:

What is the major thrust of missions? Some understand the task of missions to be embodied in the maxim “soup, soap and suspenders.” While missions may include such things, the real thrust of missions is in evangelism, establishing churches with the results of that evangelism and training national pastors for those churches. The order is important. While there may be different means to augment the above tasks, these three factors embody the real work of missions. Nothing should divert a mission from this purpose. Therefore, it would be important to serve with a board that makes its business evangelism, church planting and training workers.

IV. Financial Policy:

Different policies are followed by different boards. Most denominational boards provide the missionary’s salary, which diminishes the missionary’s personal responsibility in raising support. Another method of financing is the proportional sharing system. Many interdenominational or nondenominational boards pool their finances and share equally in receipts for the mission as a whole. The faith method by which the missionaries present themselves to the churches for monthly support is the most widely used method among independent Baptist missions. A missionary candidate is expected to spend a certain amount of time in deputation ministry. To accomplish the mission calling, the candidate shares the missionary burden with churches in order to raise support. This method demands faith, both on the missionary’s part as well as on the churches. Both trust God with mutual responsibility in accomplishing the Great Commission. The mission board insures that all support designated for a missionary goes to that missionary. Adequate monthly support must be secured before departure for the field is approved. This prefield ministry of deputation strengthens faith in God and His provision for the Great Commission. BIMI follows the third method given above.

V. Administration:

Two factors are important in the administration of missions. There must be adequate authority to establish policies and standards and to settle difficulties that might disrupt the ministry of the mission. Yet, on the other hand, this administration should allow for the missionary to be led of the Holy Spirit, the Commander-in-Chief of missions. This would, of course, be within guidelines that the missionary has already accepted and in a way that would not unnecessarily duplicate, hinder, or compete with other ministries already established. BIMI demonstrates this balance. It is also vitalized by an active policy-setting board, which is not merely advisory. Excessive, unchecked control is not vested in one individual. BIMI also has field directors to help and advise the young missionary in the problems he faces. Nothing can cause more heartache than for a young missionary to involve himself in an administrative system to which he finds it difficult to submit.

VI. Outreach and Performance Record:

Does the board have adequate experience and work in a number of countries? Does it have works in your desired field or is it willing to open such a field? Does it wax long and strong on theory but fail to produce strong churches in the countries in which it is working? BIMI has over 40 years of experience and presently ministers in over 82 countries. BIMI missionaries are producing indigenous Baptist churches. BIMI stands ready to open new fields as God opens the door.

VII. Separation:

Is a board separated both ecclesiastically and in the personal lives of its missionaries from worldliness? The purpose of separation is to maintain a testimony and usefulness. Separation has to do with discernment, distinctions and doctrinal convictions. Therefore, BIMI maintains standards of separation in the personal lives of its missionaries. It also refuses to fellowship or work with those involved in the Ecumenical Movement, Neo-Orthodoxy, Neo-Evangelicalism or the Charismatic movement.

Conclusion:

All of the above factors are tremendously important in choosing a mission board. BIMI meets this criteria. If you are choosing a mission board, please contact us for further information:

P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412 - (423) 344-5050

E-Mail BIMI

Saturday, March 13, 2010

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

JUSTIN & GRACE HAYES -  REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
C DUANE & BONNIE HEARRON II -  RUSSIA
ROBERT & JEAN HEATH -  MILITARY - EDUCATION COORDINATOR & RELIEF