Trends in Caring for Missionary Families

1. Trends in Caring for Missionary Families Tips and tools for encouraging and supporting cross-cultural workers Laura Neal, TWR

2. What Is Member Care? “Member care is the ongoing investment of resources for the nurture and development of mission/aid personnel.” (from membercare.org)

3. Who Gives Member Care? • God • Family/Friends • Sending Church • Other Missionaries • Sending Agency • Member Care Specialists • Partners/Supporters • You! Adapted from What Missionaries Ought to Know about Member Care by Ronald L. Kotesky at www.missionarycare.com

4. A Model of Member Care 1. Master Care 2. Self/ Mutual Care 3. Sender Care 4. Specialist Care 5. Network Care Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

5. Master Care “Care from and care for the Master- the ‘heart’ of member care.” • As we draw close to the Lord, He draws close to us and ministers to us in our times of need. • If the Lord is our only minister of member care, He is sufficient. • Master Care in the Bible • Heb. 12:1, 2 Our eyes should be fixed on Jesus • Heb. 4:9-11Enter God’s Rest to avoid disobedience • Col. 3:23-24 We work enthusiastically as unto the Lord • Luke 17:5-10 We obey the Master because it is our duty • Luke 12:35-40 We alertly serve until our Master’s coming • 2 Tim. 4:16-18 The Lord stands by us even when no else does Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

6. Self/Mutual “Care from oneself and from relationships within the expatriate, home, and national communities—the ‘backbone’ of member care.” • We must wisely care for ourselves. • Healthy mutual care comes from relationships we develop with our family, co-workers, and friends in our home and host cultures. Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

7. Sender Care “Care from sending groups (church and agency) for all mission personnel from recruitment through retirement— ‘sustainers’ of member care.” • Senders (church and agencies) should include care for more than just “key” workers. • Sending a missionary is a commitment to support throughout the lifespan. Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

8. Specialist Care “Care from specialists which is professional, personal, and practical— ‘equippers’ of member care.” • Specialists are often necessary to help missionaries remain resilient. • Specialist services include: prevention, development, support, and restoration. • PPracticalTToolsFForCCare. Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

9. Network Care “Care from international member care networks to help provide and develop strategic, supportive resources— ‘facilitators’ of member care.” • This includes a growing body of individuals, organizations and resources that facilitate member care. • Network Examples Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

10. Practical Tips For Master Care • Study God’s Word. • Develop an intimate relationship with your Creator. • Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). The greatest tool for member care is intimacy with your Creator. No level of training, theory or interpersonal skills can replace a personal relationship with the Divine Healer.

11. Practical Tips For Self/Mutual Care • Identify your priorities and evaluate your performance often. • Be willing to grow. • Seek mentor and accountability relationships. • Serve others. It is a lot more “trouble” to repair a car’s engine than to change the oil regularly. If you neglect routine maintenance long enough, the engine may be damaged beyond repair. The same goes for caring for ourselves and our relationships.

12. Practical Tips For Sender Care- Agencies • Be attentive. • Plan to care. • A need does not equal a call. Continually evaluate your effectiveness and get feedback from those you serve. Be willing to re-invent or replace your strategies if they are not working.

13. Practical Tips For Sender Care- Churches • Remember that “Goers” are human too. • Be willing to be re-educated. • Find unique ways to serve your missionaries. • Be Real. Passion for ministry comes from participation in ministry — not from compelling sermons or missions conferences. The best way to raise awareness is to raise involvement.

14. Practical Tips For Specialist Care • Be aware of the unique needs of missionaries. • Be professionally relevant. • A clearly defined confidentiality policy is critical. • Network with other member care practitioners and resource providers. • Cultivate positive relationships with sending agencies. Member care and missionary needs are always evolving. An out-of-touch specialist can cause more problems than he or she alleviates.

15. Practical Tips For Network Care • Realize you cannot specialize in everything. • Know your strengths and outsource your weaknesses. • Work together with other agencies and providers. • Relationships are the key to a successful support network. It only takes one apathetic generation to lose the critical ground that member care pioneers have dedicated their lives to gain. Concerned practitioners, individuals, groups and churches must continue to provide relevant, innovative solutions to meet the needs of cross-cultural Christian workers.

16. Useful Online Resources • membercare.org • Global Member Care Resources and web home of Doing Member Care Well • MTI.org • Bookstore, Workshops, Mental Health and Missions Conference, SPLICE, PILAT and DAR trainings • WEAresources.org • Lots of free member care e-books including Doing Member Care Well • missionarycare.com • Helpful articles and e-books. • Membercareradio.com • Online presence of TWRs Member Care Media. Lots of broadcasts and articles.

17. Useful Printed Resources • Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World (Kelly O’Donnell) • Too Valuable To Lose: Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition (William Taylor) • See MTI’s Bookstore for additional reading.

18. Events (US) • www.itpartners.org • International Training Partners. Offers several recommended workshops including SYIS. • MTI.org • Annual Mental Health and Missions Conference and other helpful missions trainings. • www.barnabas.org • Training, retreats and resources

19. Case Studies/ Q&A • 1. Master Care • 2. Self/ Mutual Care • 3. Sender Care • 4. Specialist Care • 5. Network Care • Pastoral/spiritual (retreats, devotionals) • Physical/medical (medical advice, nutrition) • Training/career (continuing education, job placement) • Team building/interpersonal (group dynamics, conflict resolution) • Family/MK (MK education options, marital support group) • Financial/logistical (retirement, medical insurance) • Crisis/contingency (debriefing, evacuation plans) • Counseling/psychological (screening, brief therapy)

20. Reach Higher with TWR TWR: • Is a global Christian media outreach organization. • Was founded in 1952. • Uses “regular” folks to share the hope of Jesus Christ with the world. • Provides relevant programming, discipleship resources and dedicated workers to spread hope around the globe. • Speaks more than 200 languages and dialects and engage listeners in 160 countries with biblical truth. • Uses high-powered radio, online streaming, solar-powered MP3 players, satellite, face-to-face and new media technologies to leave a lasting spiritual footprint. Play Video

21. The Neals Missionary Appointees with TWR Check out our website at www.thenealnotes.com !