Global Member Care
Missio Dei Model (updated 2024)
Seven spheres for providing and developing good practice
All seven spheres involve providing and receiving member care.
Missio Dei Model (summary excerpts)
Sphere 1. Master Care: The Flow of Christ
Our relationship with Christ is fundamental to our well-being and work effectiveness…
Sphere 2. Self and Mutual Care: The Flow of Community
Self-care is basic to good health…Likewise quality relationships with family and friends are necessary…
Sphere 3. Sender Care: The Flow of Commitment
An organization’s staff is its most important resource…[this sphere also includes the care that organizations themselves need]
Sphere 4. Special Care: The Flow of Caregivers
Specialist care is to be done by properly qualified people, usually in conjunction with sending groups…[this sphere is now called “Special Care” to emphasize the various skills needed by both specialists and others with member care responsibilities]
Sphere 5. Network Care: The Flow of Connections
Member care providers are committed to relate and work together, stay updated on events and developments, and share consolidated learning…
Sphere 6. Sector Care: The Flow of Common Ground
People with member care responsibility stay in touch with sectors that are relevant for their work…
Sphere 7. Humanity-Creation Care: The Flow of Common Good
There is a tremendous need to address major problems affecting the wellbeing of people and the planet…A healthy planet is conducive for healthy people—and thus creation care is crucial for the health and wellbeing of mission workers and the people and places where they serve.
————————————-
Member Care Definition (summary description)
December 2024 note–The draft items below in blue highlights were added and reflect the updated missio Dei model.
Member Care is the ongoing investment of resources by sending groups, service organizations, and workers themselves, for the nurture and development of personnel and the blessing/wellbeing of the people and contexts where they serve.
- It focuses on every member of the organization, including children and home office staff; and locals, nationals, volunteers who are part of/working with the sending group and organization.
- It includes preventative, developmental, supportive, and restorative care. A core part of member care is the mutual care that workers provide each other. Workers receive it and they give it. Connecting with resources and people in the local/host community is also key.
- It seeks to implement an adequate flow of care from recruitment through retirement.
- It fosters resilience, skills, and virtue, which are key to helping personnel stay healthy and effective in their work. Member care thus involves both developing inner resources (e.g., perseverance, stress tolerance) and providing external resources (e.g., team building, logistical support, skill training).
- It includes a commitment to connect and contribute across sectors for mutual learning and support as well as to care for humanity and creation in the various missio Dei contexts where member caregivers, mission workers, and mission senders serve and reside.