The non-negotiable core of missionary care

One final thought about the networked future of missionary care.

We serve the Shepherd who cares enough for one wayward sheep to leave 99 safe ones to go after it.

The one who will snatch an endangered lamb from the jaws of a lion or a bear.

The one who touches lepers…
breathes life into corpses…
invites children onto his lap…

The one who will not extinguish a smoldering wick nor break off a damaged reed.

The one who calls the burnt out harvesters to yoke up with him.

The one who insists his co-workers come away with him to rest.

I think it is safe to say…
that regardless how important we may think reaching the world is…
those who are working to bring in the harvest…
are more important than the work they are doing.

At least, it sure seems that way from the Lord of the harvest’s perspective.

People.are.never.expendable.

Whatever missionary care looks like…
today or tomorrow or in the next decade…

that must be the bottom line.