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The responsibility of the local church to sustain and retain

The responsibility of the local church to sustain and retain the present generation of cross-cultural laborers. Missionary Attrition Realities. Attrition Statistics Nationally 8%-11% total annual attrition Total turnover every 10-15 years 50% is preventable. When does it usually happen?.

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The responsibility of the local church to sustain and retain

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  1. The responsibility of the local church to sustain and retain the present generation of cross-cultural laborers

  2. Missionary Attrition Realities Attrition Statistics Nationally 8%-11% total annual attrition Total turnover every 10-15 years 50% is preventable

  3. When does it usually happen? Prefield through Mid-Second Term Prefield stress and exhaustion Unprepared for the transition Unrealistic expectations

  4. Why does it usually happen? A look back in missions history

  5. Jesus experienced… Leaving home Incarnation Satanic attack Wilderness Co-worker conflicts Last Supper Co-worker attrition Judas Inner conflict, loneliness Gethsemane Injustice, rejection Trials Agony, suffering Cross

  6. Paul experienced… Co-worker attrition Acts 13:13 Language barriers Acts 14:14 Co-worker conflicts Acts 15:39 Stress, confusion 2 Cor 4:8 Trouble, conflict, fears 2 Cor 7:5 Tragedy, exhaustion, insomnia 2 Cor 11 Satanic attack 2 Cor 12 Loneliness, heartache 2 Tim 4:9

  7. How about our missionaries? 150+ First Term debriefings reveal the very same things

  8. Everything’s Changed (location, culture) Nothing’s Changed (self, human nature)

  9. Why do they leave? What are the “Top 10” contributing factors for missionaries leaving the field?

  10. Why do we leave our churches?

  11. Top 10 Loneliness Fear & Uncertainty (safety, failure) Team conflict, loss, change Loss of significance, routine, fit Family conflict Unfulfilled expectations & dreams Powerlessness & dependency Cultural differences (slowness of things) Physical stress: fatigue, headaches, depression Inability to acquire & adopt language & culture

  12. “Powerlessness” Used to being… The new reality of strong weak powerful dependent significant unimportant competent incompetent influential irrelevant problem solver being the problem surrounded by friends ignored

  13. Transition Stress It’s a very vulnerable time

  14. Heat versus Heart Heat issues change, loneliness, stress, powerlessness, fatigue Heart issues anger, bitterness, pride, fear, dishonesty

  15. Why do they stay? What are the “Top 10” contributing factors for missionaries staying on the field?

  16. Clear call from God Very supportive spouse & family Healthy spiritual life & disciplines Adaptability to new culture & language Good relationships with colleagues Regular supervision & pastoral type care Dependable financial support Ability to cope with stress and heavy workload Contact with friends, church, prayer partners back home Good relationship with leadership & agency Top 10

  17. What’s the Process? Disorientation everything is abnormal Orientation comparing normals Appreciation accepting both normals Enculturation embracing a new normal Disorientation re-entry

  18. More than mere retention, Our goals are… Spiritual satisfaction, Joy in the Lord Personal growth, Family harmony Healthy relationships, Ministry success

  19. What can be done?

  20. The Sustaining Church: Philippi Prayed continually 1:19 Communicated regularly. 2:25 Sent people & money 4:15-16

  21. Acts 13:1-4 Two-fold call Two-fold Recognition Two-fold Responsibility Two-fold Release

  22. Acts 13:1-4 Two-fold call Two-fold Recognition Church leadership Missionary

  23. Acts 13:1-4 Two-fold call Two-fold Responsibility To set apart & send To go

  24. Acts 13:1-4 Two-fold call Two-fold Release They sent them Sent by the Holy Spirit

  25. Acts 14:26-28 Two-fold Blessing Return, Report, Renewal

  26. The Sustaining Church Intercession Communication Resources

  27. Intercession The one thing that is most essential; that we talk most about but do least of is…

  28. Intercession God’s mission is moved on the wings of…

  29. Paul’s Seven Requests Phil 1:19-20 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.

  30. Paul’s Seven Requests • Deliverance, safety • Boldness, courage • Christ magnified

  31. Paul’s Seven Requests Ephesians 6:18-20 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterancemay be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

  32. Paul’s Seven Requests • Deliverance, safety • Boldness, courage • Christ magnified • Clarity

  33. Paul’s Seven Requests Colossians 4:2-4 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

  34. Paul’s Seven Requests • Deliverance, safety • Boldness, courage • Christ magnified • Clarity • Opportunity

  35. Paul’s Seven Requests Romans 15:30-32 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be deliveredfrom those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.

  36. Paul’s Seven Requests • Deliverance, safety • Boldness, courage • Christ magnified • Clarity • Opportunity • Receptivity • Refreshment

  37. Paul’s Seven Requests • Deliverance, safety • Boldness, courage • Christ magnified • Clarity • Opportunity • Receptivity • Refreshment

  38. Intercession (form versus function) Committed, daily, knowledgeable prayer Every service, special prayer meetings, ABF & SS focus, commitment forms, display plaques, inserts, bulletin list, e-prayer chains, e-prayer letter chain, special missionary directory, bookmarks, pre-post-mid service PowerPoint's, pre-post service prayer groups…

  39. The Sustaining Church Intercession Communication Resources

  40. Communication Your expectations should be equaled by your example

  41. Communication Individual commitments Church-wide Rope Holder’s project preaddressed ..stamped.. hand written Care Teams – purposeful small groups Care Cards: Prayer Meeting, ABF, Youth Group, Awana, Junior Church Pastor’s Update Phone calls, emails (cautions)

  42. The Sustaining Church Intercession Communication Resources

  43. Resources Tapes, CDs, books, magazines resources for preaching, music, devotional life, family, ministry, individual interests & hobbies. (Missionary closets are fine, but it’s four years between visits)

  44. Resources Visits There is no substitute for on-site participation in ministry. Make sure the visit is appropriately timed, truly helpful, and a blessing Send your leadership to encourage

  45. Resources Team visits for ministry projects Recruiting visits for understanding Leadership visits for pastoral care Family visits for support

  46. Resources Work with regional administrator first Remember: there is a larger “ministry team” affected by your visit Clarify timing, purpose, length

  47. Function versus Form Intercession Communication Resources

  48. Present Practices What are you doing in the areas of Intercession Communication Resourcing

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