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Member Care Updates
Expanding the global impact of member care
Working together for wellbeing and effectiveness
Special News--February 2022
Soul Care
Spiritual Formation for Mission Workers
Image courtesy and ©2018 ENOD
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. Psalm 36:5,6,7,9 NIV
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Overview
Want to grow closer and deeper with God? In this Update we focus on nurturing our spiritual life as we sojourn with Jesus and others in mission---soul care. Soul care is core care--that is, a central part of member care that ministers life to the central part of our being. We receive it and we help provide it.
We feature the recent book by mission worker-leader Herbert Lamp, Journey with Me: Spiritual Formation for Global Workers (2021). The author invites us to sojourn with Jesus in mission as we consider 15 historic approaches to receiving God's grace for knowing and being known by God. We also share additional resources for spiritual formation in mission including materials from Doing Member Care Well (celebrating its 20th year!)
Going further--see these recent Member Care Updates:
--Martyr Care–Living and Dying for Jesus (January 2022)
-- Sojourning with Prayer and Praise (February 2021)
-- Following Jesus Globally (January 2020)
Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle
 
--Share your comments and resources on our MCA Facebook page
--Send us your ideas and resources for future MC Updates
--Forward to your colleagues and networks
MCAresources@gmail.com
Featured Resources
Soul Care
Spiritual Formation for Mission Workers
But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:7-8 NASB
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Part One
Journey with Me
Spiritual Formation for Global Workers (2021)
Herbert Lamp, Jr.
Description below is from the book's back cover--William Carey Publishers
Have you ever wondered, “Is this all there is to life and ministry with the Lord?” “Why am I so tired all the time?” “How can I grow in my intimacy with God in practical ways?” “Am I so busy doing that I have forgotten how to be with God?”
As ministry workers, we too often face these questions because we too often expect a thriving personal relationship with God to be an outcome of our ministry. Journey With Me illustrates that ministry is the result of the overflow of our relationship with God, rather than vice versa. Exploring over fifteen ancient spiritual graces—such as Lectio Divina, rule of life, silence and solitude, and prayer of Examen—Herbert F. Lamp, Jr. invites us to prioritize soul care, rather than treating ministry as a replacement for intimacy. In the process of knowing and being known, God fills us up with his love, joy, peace, and wisdom. Only then can we minister to others, balancing a heart for God with hands for service.
After almost four decades of missionary service, Lamp has experienced the joys and potential pitfalls of serving Christ cross-culturally. Sharing his experiences and offering practical, time-tested methods to grow spiritually, Lamp invites you to journey with Our Father intimately as you cross your cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and geographic borders, serving him wholeheartedly and passionately.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Theology of Spirituality:
The Ancient Pathways of Communion, Community, and Co-Mission
Chapter 2: Soul Care: The Ancient Pathway to Wholeness
[note that "soul care" here is described as one aspect of spiritual formation]
Chapter 3: The Word of God: The Ancient Pathway to God
Chapter 4: Our Prayer Life: The Ancient Pathway to Intimacy
Chapter 5: Reflection: The Ancient Pathway toward Trust
Chapter 6: Rule of Life: The Ancient Pathway toward Intentionality
Chapter 7: Sabbath and Retreat: The Ancient Pathways to Rest
Chapter 8: Spiritual Warfare: The Ancient Pathway to Victory in Christ
Chapter 9: Different Approaches to God: The Ancient Pathways of Worship
Chapter 10: Silence and Solitude: The Ancient Pathways toward Emptying and Filling
Chapter 11: Lifelong Learning: The Ancient Pathway to Humility
Chapter 12: Spiritual Direction: The Ancient Pathway toward Discernment
Chapter 13: Hospitality: The Ancient Pathway to Space and Freedom
Chapter 14: Submission: The Ancient Pathway of Following
Chapter 15: Incarnational Ministry: The Ancient Pathway of Presence
Chapter 16: Suffering: The Ancient Pathway to Joy
Chapter 17: Communal Discernment: The Ancient Pathway to Wisdom
Chapter 18: Temptation and Truth: The Ancient Pathway to Holiness
Chapter 19: Comparison and Competition: The Ancient Pathway to Forgiveness
Conclusion
Note--WIlliam Carey Publishers would like to extend an offer for 15% off their Member Care Collection with code MEMBERCARE15. You can also use this link HERE to access the Member Care Collection and to automatically apply 15% off of the collection at checkout.
Soul Care
More Resources for Spiritual Health and Growth
Image courtesy and ©2016 ENOD
The Uninvited Companion: God’s Shaping Us in His Love through Life’s Adversities (2017) by Scott Shaum. “[This book] reflects upon the shaping work of a loving Father through life’s hardships. As we allow him to show us how to respond well to him during seasons of adversity, he draws us deeper into his love, life and wisdom. Our sufferings have deep, transformative impact on us. We become carriers of God’s loving presence to others in their adversities. The Uninvited Companion wrestles with the impact of prolonged personal hardship. Scott has lived with chronic health limitations for a decade. Over this time hard topics of loss, grief, God's mysterious and wise ways in our lives, and his larger purposes have been explored. Along the way, our personal adversities are used to draw us into his love, shape us into wise men and women and that can overflow into the lives of those around us.” Note Scott's blog, Tending Scattered Wool.
Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups (2005) edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith. “[This] is an updated and expanded edition of Renovaré's companion to the devotional life. [It] incorporates all six traditions, or "streams," that comprise a healthy and holistic life of Christian faith. The fifty-two selections in Devotional Classics have been organized to introduce the reader to the great Christian devotional writers over the course of one year, through an introduction and meditation by Foster, a related biblical passage, discussion questions, and individual and group exercises. Devotional Classics is indispensable for those looking for a deeper and more balanced spiritual life.” More resources on the Renovaré Institute website HERE.
Spiritual Classics: Selected Readings on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines (2007) edited by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin. “From nearly two thousand years of Christian writing comes Spiritual Classics, fifty-two selections complete with a profile of each author, meditations for group and individual use, discussion questions and exercises, and a personal reflection by Richard Foster on each selection. Editors Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin also offer recommendations for further guided reading and exploration. Featured authors include: Frederick Buechner, Evelyn Underhill, G.K. Chesterton, Amy Carmichael, Hildegard of Bingen, Hannah More, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and more.” More resources on the Renovaré Institute website HERE.
Part Two
Doing Member Care Well
Doing Soul Care Well
To the ends of the earth--To the end of the age
   
 
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35
This year 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of Doing Member Care Well (2002). Many of the 50 chapters are available in 6 languages and many are online for free. We continue to build on this historic volume via the Update's focus on Soul Care and by sharing below some related excerpts and two chapters from this book.
With our best wishes,
Kelly and Michèle
“As psychologists, my wife, Michèle, and I have been privileged to come alongside and support Christians who have purposefully crossed cultural and language border in order to alleviate human misery through their compassion and skills, while sharing the hope of the gospel in a sensitive, contextualized manner. In the process, we have met many fine mission workers and member care colleagues along the way, working together with them in many countries and learning from each other. This learning—this multicultural, consolidated learning about survival, health, and growth in challenging mission settings— is recorded in the chapters of this book....
There are, then, several core, intertwining distinctives of the book. These include the international platform for the [Newer Sending Countries and the Older Sending Countries] to share their experiences; the pooled wisdom from a wide variety of member care practitioners; the refreshing sense of the authors sharing their hearts with us; the timely venture into additional areas of member care which take into consideration current socio-political and historical realities; and a comprehensive model applicable to many settings. The articles collectively provide a clear picture of how the member care field is maturing as an interdisciplinary, international, and indispensable handmaiden to missions.” Introduction: To The Ends of the Earth--To the End of the Age (pages 2,4)
--Jesus Christ: The Heart of Member Care by David Huggett and Joyce Huggett. “While here on earth, Jesus’ effectiveness in ministry stemmed from the loving support given Him by God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. In turn, Jesus gave equally effective support to His disciples. He forged deep and loving relationships with each of them, modeled an alternative lifestyle to them, and showed them how life on earth can and must revolve around His Father. Jesus, the Master Carer, has much to teach member care workers and mission partners.” Note also Joyce's book, Formed by the Desert: A Personal Encounter with God (1997).
--Pastoral Encouragement: Seven Letters to Christian Workers by Lareau Lindquist. “Scripture admonishes us to “encourage one another day after day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ lest any of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13). Here are seven short messages taken from the “flowing font” of letters which the author—an international champion of encouragement—regularly sends to Christian workers around the world. These letters openly address some of the main areas of struggle in cross-cultural ministry. Leaders can use such letters to provide timely, valuable support to their mission personnel.” Note all of Lareau's pastoral encouragement letters (1987-2017) are archived on the Barnabas International website HERE.
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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
Member Care Associates
MCAresources@gmail.com
Member Care Associates Inc. (MCA) is a Christian non-profit organization working internationally and across sectors. We focus on personnel development for mission, humanitarian, development, and health workers and their organizations; global mental health; ethics and good practice; and integrity/anti-corruption. Our services include consultation, training, research, developing resources, and publications.
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Our Special News-Updates 1) promote the wellbeing and effectiveness (WE) of staff and sending groups and 2) support the diversity of colleagues with member care responsibilities. The focus is on the mission sector with applications for/from the overlapping health, development, and humanitarian sectors.
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Global Integration (GI) is a framework for responsibly and actively engaging in our world--collaborating locally through globally for God's glory. It encourages connecting relationally and contributing relevantly on behalf of human wellbeing and the issues facing humanity, in light of our integrity and core values (e.g., ethical, humanitarian, human rights, faith-based). See more perspectives about GI HERE.
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