MEMBER CARE IN MISSIONS - GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

Member care has become a specialized discipline within missions, drawi ng on the contributions of Christian counseling and psychology, pastor al care, and human resource development. Much is happening in the inte rnational member care community, especially in North America and Europ e. This article highlights some of the key developments that have shap ed and are shaping this field. It also points out the need to develop and prioritize additional supportive resources for those working among unreached people groups and for agencies from the ''Newer Sending Cou ntries'' (Asia, Africa, and Latin America). The article closes with fi ve suggestions-''PACTS ''-for further developing this crucial field, c alling upon the various member care streams to purposefully join toget her on behalf of the missions community.