Table of Contents

The purpose of CHAMP is to develop resources to help support Chinese workers both within and from China. One of our initial projects was to translate, write, and field test several articles relating to “member care”. Little material of this nature is currently available in Chinese. As is true in other countries, without sufficient member care, many workers will seriously struggle and likely leave their work prematurely. These member care materials have been put together under the name Running to Win—Resources for Chinese Workers. They serve as an important reference point as Chinese Christians develop their own strategies for effective cross-cultural work. Each article has a short introduction to orient the readers about its relevance to the Chinese contexts. There are also audio portions (the overall introduction and case studies) on the CD/web site. Other materials will be added in the months ahead and will be available at www.chinamembercare.com.

Section One: Biblical Perspectives

• Stephanas: A New Testament Example of Frontier Member Care
  IJFM, Oct 1995
  Paul’s need/example for member care based on I Corinthianas 16

• A Theology of Member Care
  Enhancing Mission Vitality 2002
  New Testament  principles/foundations for member care

• Historical Notes on Worker Care
  Member Care 1992
  Examples of the difficult struggles of early mission pioneers and some current developments

• Joy and Sacrifice in the Lord
  DMCW 2002
  Perspectives on suffering and balanced Christian living for workers

Section Two: Issues and Insights for Workers (note—audio versions in Chinese for Cases 1-4)

• Case Study 1: Why Survive When We Can Thrive?
  When churches send their own workers to other countries, they need to do so with longevity in mind.  In this story, a Chinese couple shares the dangers they faced on the field during their first term. 

• Case Study 2: Wounded Healers
  Married couples in cross-cultural work need to have healthy marriages in order to work effectively. Every couple will have many ups and downs in their relationship, family, and ministry. 

• Case Study 3: Experiences and Lessons from 10 years in Missions
  Even when workers serve in cultures that are similar to their home culture, the initial entry into the host culture has many challenges. The attrition rate for first-term workers on the field can be high.

• Case Study 4: Our Journey into Missions
  This is a first-hand account with practical insights into culture, language learning, work, and adjustment to life in Africa, as well as to life back “home.” 

• Case Study 5: Interviews: Preparation and Field Realities
  Four interviews were conducted at a 2005 conference in Asia, in order to look at the realities of field life and adjustment for Chinese workers.

Section Three: Regional Updates on Worker Care

• Struggles of Latin American Workers
  IJFM, Oct. 1995
  Outlines several issues for Latinos; exhortation not to make the same mistakes

• Care for Christian Workers in India
  DMCW 2002
  Shares about personal struggles as a leader; many issues for Indian personnel

• Member Care for African Workers
  DMCW 2002
  Overviews many challenges in Africa including workers with little money and support

Section Four: Developing Member Care

• Reflections on Pastoral Care
  IJFM, Oct 1995
  Brief perspectives from a leader on member care and how it was developed in his agency

• Going Global: An International Model for Member Care
  DMCW 2002
  A model with five spheres for doing member care in different organisations and countries

• Developing a Flow of Care
  DMCW 2002
  A framework for understanding and doing member care, from recruitment through retirement

• Sending and Caring: The Role of the Local Church
  Based on the authors’ book and DMCW (2002)
  A model and guidelines to help sending groups support their workers

• Responsible Logistics for Hostile Places
  DMCW 2002
  In-depth case study of the Christian workers that were expelled from a creative-access country

Section Five: Special Issues

• Supporting Expatriate Women in Difficult Settings
  DMCW 2002
  Inner healing, team life, spiritual warfare etc., relevant for both women and men

• Building Resilient Teams: The CACTUS Kit
  DMCW 2002
  Tools and core guidelines for healthy teams

• Sexual Purity for Workers
  DMCW 2002
  Offers guidelines and practical suggestions for sexual temptation

• Giants, Foxes, Wolves, and Flies
  DMCW 2002
  Adjustment and stress issues/tools for individuals and groups; biblical perspectives

Section Six: Two Books

• Through Deserts Sands  
  Account of workers in Africa

• Thriving in Another Culture
  General advice and issues for cross-cultural adjustment