This new section of the missionary attrition report measures factors like team conflict, role confusion, team scandals, balancing work/ministry, gender issues, leadership, missionary care, freedom to pursue passion/call, administrative support, and team member integrity, to name a few. It also digs into why team conflict occurred and how female missionaries feel about their roles, options, and contributions. To learn what they said and more, check it out here:
www.themissionsexperience.weebly.com/blog
2) Team Conflict a Factor In Attrition (But Not THE Factor)
Just before opening Brigada, I read this survey’s results. Of course, I first went to the Missionary Care section, only to find that it was the most significant reason for attrition! I already knew this, but lacked the statistical support.
“It will suffice to reiterate here that missionary care was the top factor cited as the reason for attrition in the survey, both in terms of the percentage of missionaries stating that it was a factor in their return decision (75%) and in the strength of influence of the factor (1.46) on their decision.”
Personnel, time and endless energy is being spent on remedial care. How much better for preventative care through each family having a PARTNERSHIP TEAM, like the team Paul commends in his Letter the the Christians at Philippi: “I rejoice greatly,” he begins, “for every time I pray for you it brings back to my remembrance how you have been PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL with me from the very first day even until now.” He goes on to commend them for the six areas of care addressed in the book, SERVING AS SENDERS~TODAY.
I repeat for emphasis: If every individual, couple or family had an intentionally active Partnership Team, providing the care needed while they are preparing to go, while they are on the field, AND when they return home, missionaries wold be well-cared for and those awful statistics would be reversed!
I agree with Neal’s comments and will add that, in addition to a Partnership Team, a missions coach can be a very valuable asset when dealing with some of the factors included in the survey. Having a coach who is professionally trained with an emphasis in cross-cultural missions, can make a huge difference in the longevity of service of missions workers.
Bias alert: I am with Coaching Mission International (also in this week’s Brigada) and we see the impact of coaching on missions workers all the time. Adding quality coaching to the resources of Member Care and a Partnership Team can help missions workers thrive and flourish in life and ministry.