I've heard that the goal of every worker in international ministry should be to "work themselves out of a job." Now maybe that doesn't mean what I think it means. A little internet research suggested that this might have first meant that a person producing hats would work themselves out of a job if they made more hats today than the boss could sell tomorrow. Others suggest that it means that you move up in the company by training someone else to do your job so you can step into a higher position. In the world of international ministry I have heard it to mean that international workers should be replaced by locals as soon as possible.
This always struck me a bit odd. I thought, "If I do my job well, I should always have room for others to do it with me." I thought, "If I do my job well, there should always be room for me to contribute alongside those I have influenced." I thought, "If I do my job well, the work should expand and there will always be more work than there are workers."
Different people may be thinking different things when they say, "you need to work yourself out of a job."
--A worker might mean, "I only signed up for a limited time. I'm ready to move on."
--Another worker might mean, "I'm tired of this job and I really want a change."
--A coworker might mean, "I don't really like the way you're doing this job, and I think I would like it better if someone else were in your place."
--Another coworker might mean, "When you started this job it made sense, but things have changed and you haven't changed with them."
--And another might mean, "I could do your job myself, and I think I've waited long enough."
--A supporter might mean, "I've been sending you $50 for a lot of months now and my priorities have changed."
--Another supporter might mean, "You're too expensive, a local could do the job just as well or better for a lot less money."
You know, thinking of my own ministry, all of the things in the last paragraph have probably made sense at least some of the time. And "work yourself out of a job" does sounds more gentle and easier to hear (or say) than some of those. All the same, I'm making a change.
For the last three years, my primary assignment has been coordinating readiness assessment for TEAM. I'm ready for a change. Unfortunately, I don't think I worked myself out of a job. In fact, I understand TEAM is going to hire someone to step into that role because it is vitally needed and they haven't found another volunteer/supported staff to take on the challenge. I'm sure my performance has had its highs and lows, adherents and detractors. I've been thankful for the encouragement and praise I've received and have grieved and sought to listen well to the criticisms. I was not asked to leave, but I think it's still the right time to do so.
I am sure there are things I will miss. Certainly there are people I will miss. I know I can't give up the role and still hold onto it, but I have assured my coworkers I will remain available, though not in the same role.
As God slowly brought me to this point, and I believe he did, Steve Edlin reminded that I joined TEAM's global care team and Counseling Office when we returned from Taiwan in 2010 with a goal of coming alongside him as its director, to add resilience. Providing care to a global ministry force can be draining, whether because of external factors, like hostage crises, internal factors, like moral failures or unexpected deaths, or intrinsic factors, like organizational dynamics, financial constraints, and the relentless pace of change. By God's grace I was able to work alongside Steve Edlin for more than 5 years, right up to his planned retirement this summer. As Coordinator for Readiness Assessment, I was also able to come alongside Dave Harthan, who transitioned to part time and now is retiring as well, also after a long ministry. I have also heard thoughtful, kind, and gracious words from all the others who are part of our global care team at TEAM, and I will treasure that affirmation. Friends, we will miss you!
What is ahead? If you think of me as a consultant, TEAM has been my lead client these past years. When we returned from Taiwan, we guaranteed TEAM, as our sponsoring organization, 70% of my time, with the understanding I could spend up to 30% serving outside of TEAM. I have not yet cut back from that since my change to Paraclete as a sponsoring ministry. At the same time, my heart has been to be more available outside of TEAM, especially to organizations and international ministry staff who do not have a global care team in place like TEAM's. Tugging against that, I have very deep bonds in TEAM, going back to when I was a teenager at a TEAM-run international school and my parents joined TEAM, continuing through my role as a international teacher for TEAM after college, strengthened by relationships throughout my adult life, living and serving in two of TEAM's largest ministry areas over the years, as well as travelling to others. These deep bonds will continue and I hope they will lead to more invitations to come alongside TEAM and TEAMers everywhere.
Much of my ministry will continue to be "on the Q T". In other words, I will seek to come alongside while not drawing attention to that. (I think "Q T" just stands for QUIET.) Somehow the Father has raised up good partners in ministry (I mean some of you!) and sustained our ministry without you hearing all the stories we get to hear.
One of those opportunities to come alongside this summer will be to join a large gathering of people in international ministry roles in Thailand as an available resource to them. Thailand is a very popular place for international workers to gather because it is in the middle of Asia, it is reasonable in cost, and people go there from all over the world to vacation. International workers are guests in the countries where they serve, and guests should always behave in a way that is respectful of their hosts. That means having an authentic and appropriate reason for visiting or staying that makes sense to your hosts, not just to your family back home. It also means that you don't talk about things in your host family's presence that might be inappropriate or embarrassing. Locals working in their home countries have even more obligations, not less! In addition, as we discussed earlier, people in international ministry are most effective when they are embedded, not clustered. They are widely dispersed, and occasionally it helps to get together, encourage one another, compare notes, and do some reflection and debriefing. We'll be helping with that.
God is also bringing us opportunities to come alongside here in Colorado, and we welcome those as well. I'll be able to take more initiative in that as well as accept more invitations for ministry when I release my current role as TEAM's Coordinator for Readiness Assessment. Laura will also continue in her connections with international women here in Colorado Springs, and we will continue to come alongside her parents in their challenges and journey.
Thanks for listening and caring, Steve and Laura
