Member care: the “why” and the “what”
Any number of challenging issues could take missionaries off the field. JEMA’s ministry of member care offers various ways to build resilience and health for those called to proclaim the gospel.
In our own missionary experience in Japan in the 1980s, member care would have undoubtedly helped our well-being and effectiveness. A decade ago, as my wife, Judy, and I began shepherding missionaries (through Barnabas International), we inquired about the need for member care in Japan. Former JEMA President Dale Little suggested that one way to investigate was to “just keep showing up.” So, we did. As we interacted with missionaries at various gatherings, we found a great desire for intentional encouragement.
We found that Faith De La Cour (serving with Asian Access at the time) had done some work in this vital area through JEMA before returning to the US for another assignment. And some of the larger missions were developing their care practices. But for the most part, member care was not yet a significant focus.
Recognizing that resilient missionaries are better able to complete the work God has called them to do, in 2015 the JEMA Leadership Team requested that Judy and I help reboot member care through JEMA for the missionary community in Japan.
We held member care training retreats in 2016 and 2018 and spoke several times on the topic at JEMA Connect in 2017. A JEMA Member Care Committee was formed with people from various missions, and the following purpose statement was constructed to guide the committee’s work:
The JEMA Member Care Ministry exists to inform, educate, and resource the missionary community in Japan in order to strengthen their well-being and resilience. The Member Care Committee works to make available: workshops, retreats, training, and care consultations (in English) to missionaries and Christian workers.
The goal of member care is to help missionaries stay resilient and healthy in their personal, spiritual, relational, and ministry lives. The JEMA Member Care Committee, now under the capable leadership of Janet Dallman (OMF), seeks to contribute to this goal by:
- providing resources on the JEMA website;
- offering spiritual retreats;
- conducting workshops;
- meeting individuals for care conversations;
- hosting in-person and online gatherings to strengthen resilience, marriages, and spiritual vitality;
- publishing articles in Japan Harvest; and
- sharing member care information and opportunities through quarterly “JEMA Member Care News and Notes” emails.
As the community of missionaries in Japan grows, and as the challenges of missionary life and work impact a new generation of missionaries, member care will be vital in assisting the overall vision of reaching Japan for Christ. If you or your organization have a member care need or some ideas about how to take this forward for a new generation, please do not hesitate to contact the JEMA Member Care Committee (jp.mca@omfmail.com).