By Joanne Kilbry
Being a Discipleship Training School staff newbie was so intimidating! I felt inexperienced, inadequate & insecure, so afraid I would not be enough. In fact, I was so used to feeling invisible and unremarkable, that when the school leader asked to talk to me, two weeks into the school, I was sure I was in trouble.
To my amazement, this busy leader took time to ask how I was settling in at the base and with the team. He then proceeded to so affirm me in my role and highlight leadership gifts he saw in me that I left his office feeling not only seen and valued but able to see myself a little clearer as well. From that moment I threw myself into my work with a new level of enthusiasm, loving every minute and every challenge of those five months as I grew in confidence and appreciation of how God had made me. Staffing this first DTS turned out to be just as life-changing as my own had been, because a leader believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. What’s more, it gave me the confidence I needed to make a major life decision some months later; that of getting married and starting a new life in America.
I imagine the Apostle Peter felt similarly seen and affirmed the morning that Jesus turned up at the lakeshore with breakfast (John 21:1-17). Jesus, the resurrected Lord, Saviour of the world, conqueror of sin and death, took the time to check on His disciples and be interested in how they were doing. Not only did He encourage them in their endeavours, but He also anticipated their physical needs and served them food which His own, nail-scarred hands had prepared.
With such tender care and attention, Jesus practically demonstrated His love for His own; His sheep. So when, just a little while later, Jesus took Peter aside and admonished him to,
“‘feed my lambs… take care of my sheep… feed my sheep’” (John 21:15-17 NIV),
His meaning was clear: out of love for me, care for the safety and wellbeing of all those I love, just as I have cared for you. What’s more, Jesus chose Peter, of all people, for this important assignment; the disciple who had so emphatically denied knowing Jesus just days earlier. Even after such failure and betrayal, Jesus was still able to call out the potential He could see in Peter, while simultaneously repairing the damaged image Peter had of himself. He cared for Peter the person and not just Peter the Apostle.
Leaders, how do we view our staff? Are they workers fulfilling a role? Are they tools to be used? Perhaps even our best resource to be invested? Are we able to also see them as unique, treasured children of God – His own sheep? When Jesus spoke of leadership He used three images repeatedly, that of a shepherd, a servant & a steward, to describe our responsibility towards those we lead.
Proverbs 27:23 charges shepherds to,
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Prov 27:23 NIV)
If we love Jesus, we will feed, care and protect His sheep! Because they are valuable to Him, not because of what they can do for us.
The business sphere has long recognised that investing in the all-round wellbeing of employees creates a more harmonious work environment, healthier and more resilient workers and improved output. However, I was really impressed by my friend’s commitment to her staff’s personal development when, as the head of an awarding winning Christian drug and alcohol rehab facility, she recently invited me to teach a seven part series on hearing God’s voice for her team, during work hours.
So much is required of a leader, especially in missions. It’s a masterful balancing act of casting bold, apostolic vision, maintaining properties, satisfying legal requirements, communicating with supporters and reconciling budgets, all while caring for the diverse needs of your staff, that it can feel like trying to ride a unicycle on a highwire while spinning plates! It’s a very good thing that Youth With a Mission places such a high value on working in teams, where we can harness the strengths of those around us and spread the load.
If you’ll forgive the pun – Leaders, don’t let the work kill you, let Member Care help! Bruce Swanson, in his book Doing Member Care Well (2002, pg 439), defines Member Care as,
“The formal and informal efforts to develop, preserve and restore kingdom workers for effective service.”
As the concept of Member Care has developed within YWAM, its value has become evident in regards to restorative care; that is crisis response. But Member Care encompasses so much more than that. It seeks to support leaders in developing and preserving their staff as well. Or, put another way,
“It is comprehensive – the ongoing preparation, equipping and empowering of missionaries for effective and sustainable life, ministry and work.” (Global Member Care Network, 2008)
You may not be aware of the resources and help available through Member Care and in particular the Member Care Resource Team (MCRT), a network of trained YWAM Member Care providers serving in and across Europe. (YWAM Europe MCRT Facebook page)
Many of our MCRT are mobile and love to visit locations. Here is just a taste of what’s available;
- Seminars on stress management, conflict resolution, burnout prevention & good self care
- Debriefing individuals, outreaches, schools & ministry teams
- Teaching on finances, support raising, transitions & re-entry
- Advice on policies, procedures and guidelines for teams and locations
- Coaches and Spiritual Directors for leaders, sabbaticals and life
- Training in Member Care – Practical Member Care Course (PMCC) – https://forms.gle/AspQHARug9H29b899
Besides all this, one of the best ways to care for your staff is an open dialogue between leaders and Member Care providers that cultivates trust, approval and partnership, because we all ultimately desire the same thing; for our staff to thrive as Jesus intended, in ministry and in life.