Missionary Care (Part 1)
II Cor. 4:7 “earthen vessel”- a clay pot
The “Elephant in the Room” in mission work is missionary attrition. Some missionary attrition is understandable and expected. One missiologist says that 70% of missionary attrition is preventable. Missionaries are not more fragile than any other Christian. However, they face unique challenges and unique obstacles to getting help with those challenges. First, What is Missionary Care? Missionary Care is the proactive rather than reactive ministry of being by and on the side of missionaries. Missionary Care is “preventative maintenance” for missionaries. Missionary Care is focusing on the “life behind the letter.” Second, What types of care are involved? Some Examples of Issues that Missionaries Deal With: Post-Traumatic Stress MK Issues TCK Issues Coworker Issues Marriage and Family Issues Reentry and Debriefing Education and Training Issues A “non-emergency lift” Third, Doesn’t every missionary receive missionary care? In some form, they do. To the extent that it is needed, many do not. Fourth, Why isn’t proper missionary care available to many missionaries? A. Modern missions philosophy is driven by “success stories,” “ancient history”, and unrealistic expectations. B. There is a lack of knowledge of the issues that missionaries face among pastors and churches. C. Administration is mistaken for Missionary Care. D. The majority of missionary care is done reactively rather than proactively. E. It isn’t clear to many whose responsibility missionary care is. “If you want to starve a horse, ask two people to feed it.” an old Chinese proverb. F. Many pastors and churches think that missionary care is something that somebody else’s missionary might need. G. Missionaries are very reluctant to admit a need, to reach out for help, or to know who to reach out to. Conclusion: A 2017 survey of 745 former missionaries cited a lack of missionary care as the primary cause of missionary attrition. A sending pastor/church is responsible for a missionary. A supporting pastor/church is responsible to a church for the stewardship of missionary dollars. © This document is the property of the Gospel Furthering Fellowship and is not to be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from GFF. revised 1/3/24
The “Elephant in the Room” in mission work is missionary attrition. Some missionary attrition is understandable and expected. One missiologist says that 70% of missionary attrition is preventable. Missionaries are not more fragile than any other Christian. However, they face unique challenges and unique obstacles to getting help with those challenges. First, What is Missionary Care? Missionary Care is the proactive rather than reactive ministry of being by and on the side of missionaries. Missionary Care is “preventative maintenance” for missionaries. Missionary Care is focusing on the “life behind the letter.” Second, What types of care are involved? Some Examples of Issues that Missionaries Deal With: Post-Traumatic Stress MK Issues TCK Issues Coworker Issues Marriage and Family Issues Reentry and Debriefing Education and Training Issues A “non-emergency lift” Third, Doesn’t every missionary receive missionary care? In some form, they do. To the extent that it is needed, many do not. Fourth, Why isn’t proper missionary care available to many missionaries? A. Modern missions philosophy is driven by “success stories,” “ancient history”, and unrealistic expectations. B. There is a lack of knowledge of the issues that missionaries face among pastors and churches. C. Administration is mistaken for Missionary Care. D. The majority of missionary care is done reactively rather than proactively. E. It isn’t clear to many whose responsibility missionary care is. “If you want to starve a horse, ask two people to feed it.” an old Chinese proverb. F. Many pastors and churches think that missionary care is something that somebody else’s missionary might need. G. Missionaries are very reluctant to admit a need, to reach out for help, or to know who to reach out to. Conclusion: A 2017 survey of 745 former missionaries cited a lack of missionary care as the primary cause of missionary attrition. A sending pastor/church is responsible for a missionary. A supporting pastor/church is responsible to a church for the stewardship of missionary dollars. © This document is the property of the Gospel Furthering Fellowship and is not to be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from GFF. revised 1/3/24
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Personal Ministry DebriefingThird Culture Kids - Who Are They?Third Culture Kids - How Can We Minister to Them?A Biblical EvangelistThe History of PTSDMissionary Trauma Action SheetMissionary Trauma (Part 2)Missionary Trauma (Part 1)Missionary Sendoff HandoutMakeup of Missionary FinancesCharacter Issues which Undermine a Local Church’s Investment into MissionsDebriefing Challenges (Part 2)Debriefing Challenges (Part 1)Missionary Care Action SheetMissionary Care (Part 2)Missionary Care (Part 1)Prophets Chamber ConsiderationsBeing a Good Host Hostess to MissionariesBeing a Good Missionary Guest
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