The Messy Middle

where grace and truth reside

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

Uncategorized

My Manifesto For Member Care

Member Care is a term used in the world of M’s and cross-cultural workers. You can get a master’s degree in Member Care or even a PhD! In essence, it’s a fancy way to ask “how can we provide care for our folks?” How can we support them holistically and not just use them up and spit them out? How do we handle the most precious asset God has entrusted us with? People.

Though the term is specific to the M Field, I’d love to see it catch on and spread to churches, organizations, clubs, families, work places. And you know when I get worked up about something, well as a friend said earlier this week when I mentioned this piece, “Amy, this isn’t your first manifesto.”

I can’t help it that I’m passionate! If you only knew all of the manifestos I don’t write :)! This one, however, is the one I care most about.

member care manifesto

 

I am passionate about member care and have been frustrated at times with our narrow applications. Ideally member care advocates for all members at all times, but the reality is that certain times are given more attention. The two areas I have seen become the default attentions grabbers are when people transition to the field and at times of crisis.

We can do better and this is My Manifesto for Member Care.

*****

“You know, that sounds exactly like what you do for member care, Amy.” My teammate said this in the midst of a team Bible study on the prophet Zechariah.

I had thought so too. More than that, I appreciated how succinctly God and His prophet phrased my core beliefs. By chapter 11 in Zechariah, the prophet had about had it with God’s people and their persistent disobedience and laid out fairly clearly what was going to happen to them. In part, they would be left to “foolish” shepherds instead of “good” ones.

“Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy.” Zechariah 11: 15 and 16

I almost made a Youtube video of me talking about this passage so you could hear how excited and hopeful I get talking about member care. Do you see it? Do you see God’s comprehensive heart for us? Not just at times of transition and crisis, but for all of us?

For the meat of the manifesto head over to Velvet Ashes. Your passionate friend, Amy :)

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Related

«
»

2 Comments January 30, 2015

About Amy

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet.

Comments

  1. Susan Gaines says

    January 30, 2015 at 9:31 am

    I would love to see that YouTube video of you preaching this!

    Amy, I want you to know my husband of 36 years (God’s hand-picked gift for me) died two months ago. We married at age 29 and prior to our marriage I was God’s girl in a unqiue way, as was he, God’s man. I am now, once again, God’s girl. I suppose at this age I should say woman, but I do believe my glorified body will once again reflect His “girl”.

    Reply
  2. Mark Allman says

    February 6, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    You should make this into a pdf you can share with everyone. It is really good.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Amy Young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

Social

  • View themessymiddle’s profile on Facebook
  • View the_amy_young’s profile on Twitter
  • View amy_young1234’s profile on Instagram
  • View messymiddleamy’s profile on Pinterest
ADD TO FEED READER | CONTACT

welcome, here we

Don't have to choose between extremes. You can embrace life's Messy Middle.

recent posts

  • Becoming More Fruitful is published :)
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is Finished
  • You’re invited to a launch party!
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2022 is here!
  • Top 14 Books of 2021
  • What my book group read in 2021

Archives

meet amy young

My name is Amy and I live in the messy middle of life. I have been Redeemed from permanent muck and live with the tension of the Already and Not Yet. Read More…

explore

  • About
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Speaking

get updates

Copyright © 2023 Amy Young · Customized by A Sacred Journey

{This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more.}