PHILOSOPHY OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY (POEM)

TRINITY MISSIONARY CARE TEAM

PURPOSE STATEMENT

We exist for the glory of God to promote the well-being, growth, effectiveness and sustainability of Trinity Church’s career missionaries through facilitating the meeting of physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

CORE VALUE 1

Dependable care through grace-oriented relationships, withemphasis on a non-evaluative stance

Goal

Foster consistent, deep relationships sothat our missionaries can be open about needs.

Methods

  • Assign each family unit to a team member to build trusting relationships and keep in touch regularly and proactively to learnabout needs.
  • Participate in short term trips to minister to them as well as alongside them.
  • Hold a short retreat for missionaries who attend our annual conference to facilitate relationship building and ministry from the Team and from each other.

CORE VALUE 2

Fill gaps of needs not met by their agency

Goal

Develop a proactive care plan for them, taking into account needs not met by their agency.

Methods

  • Contact member care personnel in their agency to ascertain gaps of care.
  • Have a pre-field and post-field meal with missionaries to find out about home and field needs.
  • Utilize the CSA (Cerny-Smith Adjustment Scale)* to gain understanding of intercultural adjustment 6 months after they arrive in their host country, when home on extended furlough, and before a field visit.

CORE VALUE 3

Promote congregational awareness and involvement

Goal

Foster caring relationships between missionaries and small groups of people in the church

Methods

  • Each family/individual will be adopted by a Koinonea group to keep in touch with them by email, phone or skype at least once a month, pray for them and visit with them when home.
  • When home at least two weeks or more, visit with Pastor and his wife.
  • Develop a resource list of Trinity members who can meet professional or practical needs.

CORE VALUE 4

Encourage openness through assurance of secure communication

Goal

Develop a policy of confidentiality acceptable to the missionary, agency and church staff.

Methods

  • Review the confidentiality policy yearly or as needed to ensure it is followed.
  • Gain regular feedback from missionariesregarding its effect on openness.

CORE VALUE 5

Live congruently to build credibility

Goal

Foster healthy Missionary Care Team relationships and equip the Team for their task.

Methods

  • Adopt the Peacemaker Plan as the Care Team’s method of conflict resolution. Also train and use skills learned through Interpersonal Communication Programs.**
  • For teambuilding, utilize the DISC test*** to understand how different team personalities work together effectively. Also have each Team Member “tell their story” to each other of God’s work in their lives, including through pain.
  • Two Team Members a year will attend a conference on member care. Quarterly literature review at Team meetings.

*See for information on this helpful feedback tool of intercultural adjustment.

** See and couplecommunication.com for information on these helpful communication and conflict resolution tools.

***See for information on biblical DISC test and DISC for workplace.

1