Ideal Missionary

1. Sound doctrinal statement
-requirement
4. Size of Family
-one of the reasons the RCC has reached it's current size is that they use (almost exclusively) bachelors as missionaries. They are cheaper than familymen, allowing one to field more of them for the same amount of money.
5. Amount of Support needed
-local missionaries are cheaper than American exports (usually the locals make less cultural gaffes as well). Only use americans if they have skills not available from a cheaper source.
6. Relative of faithful member in church
- doesn't hurt at all, I know of 2 (RC) missionaries active in Brazil, both born in Denekamp in Twente, who have gotten a decades long steady stream of financial support from the pancake bakesale organized by their female relatives during the yearly carnival. Those ladies make more money each year than the professional Carnies!
7. Current church member
Depending on your church this is either a requirement or often simply not possible.
8. KJVO vs KJVP vs MV
-NEVER support a missionary who is KJVO! Only support a missionary who is completely comfortable using the local Bible translation.
10. Christian Character
-if at all possible, nothing says:"Christianity is a decadent religion.", like a missionary living a life of luxury while banging all the native girls.
Yes it happens.
14. Seminary trained vs Bible Certificate
-in depth training is a requirement and yes for a missionary a more diverse skillbasis is needed than for a regular churchprofessional.

 

I'd say the sound doctrinal statement is of course crucial, and good Christian character. We would look at their philosophy of missions and music as also important, and because we are KJVO(for the English speaking people...since its an english translation it obviously doesn't apply for those who don't speak english) we also look at that as a criteria. Several of our missionaries are translating the Bible for their field right now....not from the KJV, but from the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts....like most KJV people would when in a non-English speaking culture.

Size of family isn't really an issue, although to us having a family is an asset on the field, not to be seen as merely an added financial burden for the church. Frankly, having a family there will stabilize all of them, and we consider all of them to be our missionaries as well...both husband and wife. When a man has a wife with him he is less likely to be "banging all the native girls", and he has a built in support structure right there in his home life.

Above all, we support those missionaries who we feel God has led us to support. There is much prayer that goes into each decision.