MEMBER CARE POLICY DOCUMENT

 

The sending church is aware of its duty to care for the field workers and their families. Apart from the normal contractual agreements which describe the work and living arrangements, there is need also for a Member Care Policy which sets out the care that is to be given to the workers when they meet with trauma causing events. The following Member Care Policy was devised and is operative:

 

FREE REFORMED CHURCH OF ARMADALE

 

MEMBER CARE POLICY

FOR WORKERS IN LAE

ADOPTED APRIL 2005

 

 

Introduction

 

In 2004 it became apparent to the Mission Board that a member care policy was needed.  With an increasing number of workers in our care we need to ensure that all is done to support, encourage and care for them. 

 

Due to the dynamic nature of mission work this document can only contain guidelines.  The procedures set in place by this document are not fast binding rules, they must be seen as guiding principles.  As such this document is a working document and should be read and updated as the need arises. 

 

 

Purpose of Policy

 

1. To set in place preventative measures intended to lessen the likelihood of a crises situation on the mission field.
2. To set in place a plan to provide for the physical and pastoral care of the missionary and worker families, especially in case of crisis.
3. To set in place contingency plans for the care of the mission congregation in case of the removal of our workers from the field.

 

 

Scriptural Basis for Policy

 

As brothers and sisters of the one faith we build our lives of the one and only foundation of Jesus Christ.  This means that our lives are intrinsically connected to His.  He is our Head and in Him we have our being.  Since we are all members of this one Head it is necessary for us to show love and care to each other.  This knowledge is the underlying rationale in this policy.

 

As children of the Lord we confess that we belong to our Saviour Jesus Christ in both soul and body.  Since our body too is a member of Christ it is first of all the responsibility of the mission workers to see to their own physical and spiritual health. 

 

However, as members of the one body we are also to bear on another’s burdens and as such the mission board and calling church are to show care, love and support for those who are employed on the field, as well as for the mission congregation.  This policy seeks to give concrete direction in fulfilling this responsibility. 

 

 

1.      PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

 

It is the responsibility of the mission board, in as far as is in their power, to create a working environment in which the mission workers feel safe and secure.  This includes secure housing, transport and communications.  At the same time it is assumed that all mission fields present their own unique situations of danger.  The mission worker and his family must be made aware of that before they can either accept a call, or be appointed to work on the mission field.  They must be convinced, in their own mind, that it is the Lord who, as King of the Church, calls them to this task.  As such they must be prepared to work in this environment. 

 

The mission board, sending church and cooperating churches are to be active in their prayer for the mission field and its workers.  They are also to encourage brothers and sisters in Australia to correspond with the mission workers so that the workers feel the real bond between themselves and their sending churches.  This contact is vital since it is important for the workers to feel the supported by the prayers of those who sent them out.  At the same time this must be a two way street.  The workers must endeavour to keep the home front fully updated and aware of their work on the mission field.                              

 

The mission board, as the body directly responsible for mission workers is to:

 

1. Make regular phone calls to each couple in the field. (this is to be done by one or two people only so that a good rapport can be built up.)
2. Maintain regular email, Skype, or mail contact. (This can be done by all board members)  Additionally congregation members can be rostered on to correspond with the workers
3. Provide comfort and encouragement
4. Provide brotherly admonition where and when required.
5. Make immediate contact when a stressful situation arises (eg armed hold up, death, accident).

 

The mission board is to encourage its mission workers to:

1. Keep a journal of (preferably daily, but at a minimum weekly) events.  (This is useful for the mission worker to reflect, consider, note disappointments, etc as well as for use in debriefing.  In the unlikely event of legal problems journals can also be used for evidence as to timing of events, meetings, visits, feelings etc.)
2. Maintain missionary equipment (house, car, phone, email etc) in good running order.  Vital equipment (transport and communication) must be up to date and in excellent working order.  Communication equipment must be of a good standard so that communication with the outside world and with emergency services is readily available.
3. Complete a first aid certificate.
4. Maintain contact with other mission workers, even if they are on other mission fields, so that they can speak to others who are experiencing similar things. 
5. Request another missionary (eg Toronto’s missionary) to do a full safety audit of the mission situation on an annual basis.  A copy of this safety audit is to be forwarded to the board.

 

The mission workers must:

 

1. Never meet one-to-one with members of the opposite sex, unless a third party is present.  In a situation where it is completely unavoidable detailed notes must be kept.
2. Should keep documentation of all meetings and visits.
3. Record all unusual situations (such as hold-ups, confrontations, threats).
4. Schedule regular (at least once per year) medical check ups, including dental check ups.
5. Register their presence in PNG at their national embassy.

 

 

2.      PHYSICAL AND PASTORAL CARE (in times of crisis)

 

As noted previously times of crisis may occur on the mission field.  Hopefully, by having preventative measures in place the impact of crisis situations can be reduced. 

 

Crisis situations may include (but is not limited to): injury, death, family difficulties, marriage problems, threats, armed hold-ups, shootings, rape, serious illness, mental problems, conflict between workers or between workers and mission board.

 

If the crisis is one which requires emergency services then the following Lae phone numbers must be kept handy:

 

Police:                       

Ambulance:

Fire Service:

Security Guards:

Australian Embassy:

Canadian Embassy:

 

At the earliest convenient time the mission worker must inform the mission board (usually the contact person or the chairman) of the situation.  During this time of tension regular contact must be maintained.  This contact can be initiated from either the mission worker or the mission board. 

 

In the event of permanent physical disability resulting from activities undertaken in the task of mission work the mission board will see to the long term care of the worker.  For this reason the mission board will provide insurance cover (income replacement, disability insurance) for all workers in its employ.  (Reconsider this paragraph)

 

If the crisis is one which affects the workers emotionally (strained relationships, mental stress, threats, conflict, or traumatic experience) then the worker will need to initiate contact with the mission board.  The mission contact person, together with the chairman and possibly the executive shall see to the support of the mission worker and family.  In this situation the mission worker may contact SIL Lae for crisis debriefing.

 

SIL Lae phone number: 737 4580

 

This counselling is designed to be used for short term problems.  Long term problems may make initial use of SIL counselling services but longer term solutions will need to be implemented.  Counsellors must have an understanding of the stresses of the mission field.  Depending on the level of crisis rigorous contact between mission worker and mission board must be maintained.  In the case of extreme need the mission board may request the sending church to send out a minister (possibly with a board member or elder) to the mission field at short notice.  At the earliest convenient time debriefing and prayer must occur.

 

If it is felt necessary by both the mission worker and the mission board (executive) that the worker and his family return to Australia then the mission board or possibly the worker will organise a return flight to Australia.  Accommodation for the worker and family will be organised by the mission board.  From here on the sending church (via her deacons) shall organise necessary help – in terms of meals, transportation, child care etc so that the worker/family are surrounded with the love of Christ.  The mission board, in consultation with the sending church will see to the spiritual well being of the family so that all necessary support (including professional counselling) is provided. 

 

The mission board is to determine a Biblical counselling service which will be able to provide support to the personnel in Lae.  If counselling is needed in Australia then this will be determined with the support of the consistory of the sending church. 

 

 

3.      CONTINGENCY PLANS (for the care of the mission      congregation)

 

In the unlikely event of a crisis situation whereby the missionary must be removed from the field, the provision of continuing spiritual care for the mission congregation is essential. 

 

Since the Lae congregation is not yet a formally instituted church it remains under the care of the Armadale consistory.   As such it will remain the task of the Armadale consistory (with delegated authority to the mission board) to oversee the pastoral care of the mission congregation if no missionary is present.  They shall see, in as far as is practicable and feasible, to the continuing administration of the Word and sacraments.    In practical terms this may mean regular visits by ministers from the Australian churches to Lae (as has been done prior to the arrival of Rev Wildeboer).

 

Contact names and phone numbers for leaders in the church at Lae are:

 

Br Bob Bouway: 472 4261

Br John Lanta:    472 2915