Challenges and Importance of Member Care in the South Pacific Region
Explore the challenges and significance of member care in the South Pacific region, focusing on the ongoing preparation, support, and empowerment of missionaries. Discover alternative definitions and strategies for investing in staff care initiatives for sustainable mission work.
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Presentation Transcript
Inspiring South Pacific Region Member Care Marion Knell
Investing in Care Convincing senior management that investing in staff care initiatives is a cost- effective business practice continues to be a challenge for most organisations Sharon Forrence of Monday Development in Staff Care produced by Interhealth and People in Aid 2009 September 2015
What member care is not Wrapping people in cotton wool Removing responsibility from personnel Picking up the pieces after a failure September 2015
What member care is Preventative Increasing effectiveness and longevity Realistic Strategic Supportive September 2015
Definition of Member care Member Care is the ongoing preparation, equipping and empowering of missionaries for effective and sustainable life, ministry and work September 2015
Challenges of communication The term does not translate Use of the word missionary security Isn t everyone a missionary? Care is seen as a reactive not proactive September 2015
Alternative definitions Staff care refers to self-care and institutional responses to stress among workers in particularly stressful and difficult environments September 2015
Alternative definitions Staff care includes broad issues ranging from personal emergency preparedness and response, to staff wellness on a day-to- day basis, including physical and psychological well-being in the workplace September 2015
Alternative definitions We have a duty of care to ensure the physical and emotional and spiritual well- being of our staff before, during and on completion of their period of work with us Prepare, support and debrief: a simple proven model September 2015
Definitions What words come to your mind when you hear the word Member Care ? Jot them down on the post-it notes September 2015
When? Member Care is the ongoing preparation, equipping and empowering of missionaries for effective and sustainable life, ministry and work September 2015 Australia 11
When? Aftercare Re-entry Recruitment From Recruitment Routine Debriefing Selection To Retirement and Missionary Life Cycle Beyond Personnel Development Placement Appraisal Induction Orientation September 2015 Australia 12
When? Ongoing Investment Does everyone know where they fit? Have roles, responsibilities and expectations been properly communicated? What lines of communication and accountability have been opened? September 2015 Australia 13
Worth Keeping Mission Agencies with little investment in member care suffer a very high attrition rate High retention agencies invest 25% more time and 7% more finances on MC than low retention agencies Only 28% of that budget is spent on prevention Agencies with very intensive personal care may have an increased return-home rate September 2015
Investing in Staff Care The calculus on investment is simple. Any money saved by ignoring stress in the workplace is lost ten-fold in employee- efficiency, ineffectiveness and turnover Joshua Levin of Mercy Corps in Staff Care report, ibid. p45) September 2015
Investing in Staff Care The Interhealth/PIA report concludes that despite progress having been made in the area of staff care practices are often inconsistent and guidelines not adhered to. There is little evaluation of the provision for Staff Care and the post-assignment/re-entry phase is particularly lacking in support. September 2015
A little bit of history! 1904 Doctors committee in London met regularly to discuss missionary health 1936 Missionary Health Institute founded in Canada 1965 Linkcare founded in USA 1965-69 Marjory Foyle worked as a psychiatrist at Lucknow Nur Mansil Psychiatric centre 1988 WEA published Missionary Care September 2015
Chris and Sue with 3 children aged 8-14 in South Asia. The children are sent to a boarding school one and a half days away because there was no better alternative. Within three years they are seeing an educational psychologist. It is hot, there are few leisure facilities, few families have survived in the situation this is known by the agency but not by Chris and Sue. All three fellow missionary wives are taking anti-depressants. September 2015
A few months later there is a security scare. There has been no briefing on security measures. They are feeling burnt out. During the school break the three children are bored. They wonder why they find it boring? Why are they scrapping all the time? The wife exhibits cynicism and despair on furlough. Chris complained because she didn t appear at meetings. They eventually came home after an unfavourable incident. September 2015
The Cost 1 year s missionary training Airfares and upkeep for 5 people for three years Boarding costs Educational psychologist Bishops refuses to move ex-pats into that diocese Total cost: 150,000 Cost to the kingdom - immeasurable September 2015
Sharing What aspects of God s character and dealings with people demonstrate member care? September 2015
The Biblical Imperative Agape love is the final apologetic The Great Example (John 13) Precedes The Great Commission (Matthew 28) September 2015
Biblical Basis The Trinity God the source of care 2 Corinthians 1:3 Mutual care we are created for interdependence Colossians 3:10-17 Fellowship One anothers Comfort Strengthening Confrontation Compassion September 2015
The local church in the NT Selection and sending Acts 13:1-3 Prayer 2 Cor.: 1:11 Finance 2 Cor. 8:3 Personal Involvement 2 Cor. 8:5 Encouragement 1 Thess. 3:2 News 1 Thess. 3: 6-7 Practical & emotional support Phil. 2:30 Quality care 3 John 6 Furlough provision 3 John 5-8 Accountability Acts 20:17 September 2015
Biblical Basis The local church Missionary work is a partnership between the missionary and the local church 3 John:8 . Sunergoi fellow-worker Jesus models it Sending the 72: Luke 10 John 14-16 investing in the disciples Commissions us to do likewise September 2015
The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
Who is the identifiable character in the story? September 2015
Jesus identifies himself with the Samaritan Jesus says, I am the Good Samaritan I have come to save the dying bring new-life to people spread spiritual health and well-being September 2015
The journey People need help at the start of the journey People pass by on their journey to and from home People need places to rest on the journey People need help at the end of the journey September 2015
What are the implications for us? 1 Jesus will not do the work of the kingdom by himself Innkeepers Are essential Provide a variety of help Are needed everywhere September 2015
What are the implications for us? 1 Jesus will not do the work of the kingdom by himself Innkeepers Are essential Provide a variety of help Are needed everywhere September 2015
What are the implications for us? 2 Jesus will provide all the resources we need What resources do you need? Financial support? Personal Skills? Training? Resources? New Opportunities? September 2015
What are the implications for us? 3 Jesus will return to check on our accountability You have been sub-contracted as an innkeeper Are you in the right location? Have you worked out who is being sent to your inn? Are you giving enough time to the contract? Are you making good use of the resources you have? How is the contract going? September 2015
Questions 1. What has ispired you to get involved in Member Care? (short answers!) 2. What are the iggest challenges to creating a culture of Member Care? 3. What, as far as you see it, skill and resources are lacking for the task? 4. What do you hope to gain from this conference? September 2015
