MEMBER CARE: STARTING THE CONVERSATION An Interactive Dialogue On Mental Health and Missions Laura Neal, TWR

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

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

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

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. 4:9-11 Enter 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

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

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

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.  PPractical TTools FFor CCare. Adapted from Doing Member Care Well: Perspectives and Practices From Around the World Edited by Kelly O’Donnell

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

Case Studies/ Q&A 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) 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) 1. Master Care 2. Self/ Mutual Care 3. Sender Care 4. Specialist Care 5. Network Care 1. Master Care 2. Self/ Mutual Care 3. Sender Care 4. Specialist Care 5. Network Care

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

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.

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

Reach Higher with TWR TWR:  Is a global Christian media outreach organization.  Was founded in  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

Missionary Appointees with TWR Check out our website at ! The Neals