Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to identify the causes of missionary attrition
among African missionaries working with The Sheepfold Ministries (TSM) in Muslim
evangelism in Kenya. It also aimed at identifying the effects of this missionary
attrition among TSM missionaries in Muslim evangelism (ME) and to establish efforts
TSM has made to reduce this missionary attrition. Missionary attrition has been a
hindrance to missionary work; and a solution to it would be a step ahead in missions.
The research involved 17 TSM missionaries who are still at work in ME and 6
others who left ME as victims of missionary attrition. The research realized that
missionary attrition among TSM missionaries in ME in Kenya is caused by lack of
financial support, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, marriage for singles,
culture shock, resistance and hostility of radical Muslims, lack of quick conversion of
the Muslims, a sense of God's will for leaving, loss of vision, and lack of pastoral
care.
The study also found out that missionary attrition affects the missionaries who
leave, affects TSM, and affects the missionaries who remain on the mission field. The
missionaries who leave develop negative attitudes towards TSM and missions in
general, struggle with re-entry, and live with wounds they incurred during their
mission days. It also gives TSM a negative image. TSM also feels a sense of loss
when it loses experienced personnel. Those who remain feel discouraged and
demotivated and also feel a loss of fellowship for the departure of close workers.
The study also realized that TSM has been making good attempts to reduce
missionary attrition, though there is room for improvement. These efforts include new
procedures for selection and recruitment, pre-field training, sending out missionaries
in teams, raising financial support for missionaries, educating missionary kids, and
missionary care.
Based on these findings, this research recommends that TSM should prepare
missionaries for re-entry. It should also reach out to those who left missionary work
for healing and have them form a group that can later help those who will also depart
from Muslim evangelism. Besides this, TSM should have a pastoral ministry person to
help in counseling, encouraging and guiding missionaries, especially in times of crisis.
It also recommends that TSM should look into its financial policy to find long-term
solutions to the problem of lack of financial support. Besides TSM, many other
churches and organizations that sent out missionaries can use these findings as a
manual for their members and missionaries in matters of missionary attrition.
