From Receiving Care to Building Care
This book explores the expansion of what is involved in missions and member care, member care in different regions and different sectors, and staying the course in good practice.
This book explores the expansion of what is involved in missions and member care, member care in different regions and different sectors, and staying the course in good practice.
In order to ensure that every gospel worker, regardless of the size of their organization or denominational background, could receive ongoing member care and support, a third-party platform unaffiliated with any institution would need to be established.
The volume’s case studies mirror many of the challenges Chinese cross-cultural workers and churches face today. The book covers not only culture-specific pressures on the field but also how national churches and agencies responded—or did not respond—to missionary stresses.
Our hope and prayer is that the keynote speaker, Scott Shaum, and the various workshops will help all of us to pause, hear, reflect, and live God’s call in our lives for the long haul, in sustainable and kingdom service for the glory of God!
We believe that member care is an integral part of missions sending and we want to see Chinese senders better equipped in this area… The sent and the senders will fulfill the Great Commission together.
Let’s pray that the Belt and Road Initiative and the wide diaspora of Chinese throughout the world, including the West, will be an expansion of opportunity to reach them, since the restrictions in China have become so limiting.
This paper is a brief discussion of calling, vocation, and spiritual formation as it relates to Chinese Christians in mission service and the churches that send them.
Originally written as an assignment in the author’s doctoral program, the paper is based on interviews with Chinese Christians about their journey of spiritual formation, their life callings, and vocational stewardship. Other relevant research is also included.
While creating awareness for the need of member care for Chinese missionaries, I have struggled to find solid, culturally correct resources. This Quarterly is truly a gift with so much to discover, so much more than a wrapping and big ribbon.
I wondered, “Did God call you to the field to set others free in Christ while you stay trapped in an unintended form of ministry bondage?” What if collectively we moved our metrics down a peg and allowed walking with the Spirit to be the true measure of fruitfulness?
It is our prayer that the articles in this issue will raise the profile of this vital service to God’s servants, prompting deeper discussion and sparking new practical efforts to prepare and to come alongside those being sent.
Chinese missionaries need to be prepared for the challenges and stressors of the mission field. A family counselor who is involved in member care has six recommendations for how to prepare beforehand and how to meet challenges once in the field.
For missions to be successful, cross-cultural workers need to be equipped to understand the new culture. Churches need training on how best to support their workers. FieldPartner is creating online content in English and Chinese to support both workers and sending churches.