A critical survey of missionary attrition among African missionaries in Muslim evangelism in Kenya: the case of the Sheepfold Ministries.

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.