3 workshop session 2 - sending and supporting

8/3/2019 3 Workshop Session 2 - Sending and Supporting

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Sending &

Supporting

Mission Workers



WHY THIS TOPIC?

Recognition of missionaries pastoralneeds

Greater knowledge and honesty aboutstresses of missionary life

Awareness that many are leaving the

field early

Better resources and expertiseavailable



Missionary Attrition

5% of missionaries leave the field

each year

71% leave for preventablereasons



PRE-FIELD CARE

To send someone who is not fit to go isirresponsible, and with our stress on the

role of the local church commending andsending, the elders and church leaders

have a key role in assessing the person or

persons who are potential candidates.



Commendation

The Biblical Basis

Practical Assessment of workers

Pitfalls to avoid

How can we do better?



COMMEND Acts 14: 26 “ They sailed

back to Antioch, where they had been

committed (commended) to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.”

Acts 15:40 “Paul chose Silas and left,

commended by the brothers to the grace of God.”

Commendation - Biblical Basis



The word „paradidomi ” literally means „togive or deliver over‟. “It contains the idea

of releasing, delivering over or committingHis servants to Him.” Vine

Biblical commendation has at its heart the idea of 'handing over' workers to the grace

of God for His support and direction in the particular ministry to which He has called them.




Commendation – the Acts model

1. The Holy Spirit identifies the workers Acts 13:2

2. The Church at Antioch release/commendthem to God and send them away

3. They fulfil their ministry 13:4-14:26

4. They return to the church at Antioch

Ch 14:26 5. They report to the church on the work

accomplished Ch 14:27




6. Paul leaves with Silas for another period of service. The church commend them Ch 15:40

7. They fulfil their mission Ch 16:1 -18:21

8. Paul returns to Antioch Ch 18:22

9. Paul leaves Antioch again on his thirdmissionary journey Ch 18:23

10. He returns to Jerusalem, but cannot visit Antioch due to his arrest.



They were members of the local church

They were actively involved in the work of thechurch.

The call of God was clear to ALL (nobody neededpersuasion)

The church recognised the call

The church released them to service & IDENTIFIED with them- they fasted, prayed andlaid hands on them.

They returned and reported to the church -

ACCOUNTABLE




“There is no evidence that Barnabas andSaul „volunteered‟ for missionary

service; they were „sent‟ by the Spiritthrough the church. Still today it is theresponsibility of every local church(especially of its leaders) to be

sensitive to the Holy Spirit, in order todiscover whom he may be gifting andcalling.” John Stott




1. KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERSON/S

Character

Commitment

Gifts and Abilities

Physical fitness

Family Circumstances

Commendation – Practical assessment



1. KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERSON/S

Is there a realistic assessment of

their likely service and its problems?(Beware the person who sees no problems.)

Is there excessive pressure fromother workers?

Are they escaping problems at home?




2. KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORK THEY ARE TO DO

Country - Area

Type of work

Who is already presentLikely conditions/ problems

Language / culture




2. KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORK

What is their role to be? If the worker is single is itsuitable?

Has the situation been researched well by the potentialworker?

Has work been established there? Who is doing thiswork?

Have contacts been made, will they receive a welcome? Are they wanted?

Are they compatible, culturally and doctrinally?

Will the local church (if one exists) welcome them?




The pressure to commend before there isa unanimous conviction of God‟s calling

Commending too soon Not reviewing commendation and service

adequately

Forgetting pastoral care

Not visiting the workers on the field

Failing to accept the support implicationsthat come with commendation

Commendation – The Pitfalls



Priorities in Pre-Field Training

1. Spiritual Formation Conforming to Christ & discovering His adequacy

2. Interpersonal Formation Active listener and learner

Relationships mature

3. Personal PreparationLocal Church & agency

ExpectationsPhysical readiness

Family readiness

Cross-cultural readiness



CARE ON THE FIELD

1. Language learning

2. Separation from children3. Children‟s education

4. Change in work status5. Engaging in a culture



CARE ON THE FIELD

6. Housing & security

7. Difficulties with close relationships

8. Lack of accountability

9. Changing missionary role

10. Lack of results



Providers of Care – TheWorkers

Maintaining their spiritual life and

developing dependence on God is astrong bulwark when problems arise.



Providers of Care – SendingChurch

Commendation

Prayer

Encouragement

Communication Receiving back

Financial support

Information Visiting

Debriefing – listening in confidencewith a structured interview



Topics for a Debrief

Review of last term of service

Role & Work of missionary: achievement

of goals; satisfaction, frustrations & problems

Spiritual progress & growth, doctrinalissues

Relationships with church and localChristians

Relationships with colleagues

Accommodation & living conditions



Health concerns

Support & finance

Communication with home, frequency & level

Assessment of role and input of sending

church Family progress and education

Future plans and goals

Other problems and issues

Topics for a Debrief



Providers of Care – Colleagues

Learning culture

Problems & danger areas Parental figures

Listeners

Carers



Providers of Care – Local Church on Field

Language learning

Cultural adaptation

World view Identity as member of local church

Fellowship

Support



Providers of Care – ServiceGroup Advice on commendation

Training, orientation

Advice on medical care, education,finance

Care on the field – through services, visits,counsel

Accumulated expertise & specialistknowledge



Providers of Care – Specialist Agencies

Objective assessment

Medical advice and care Psychological assessment

Specialist counselling

Networking



Challenges in

Communication Maintaining interest

Non- responding workers

Changing technology

Connecting with the young

Educating about a changing world Passing the Baton

3 workshop session 2 - sending and supporting

Documents