Too Valuable to Lose: Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition

by William D. Taylor

Publisher:

William Carey Library

, 1997

Overview

Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition

Too Valuable to Lose is a groundbreaking global study that examines why missionaries leave the field prematurely—and what can be done about it. Drawing on research from around the world, it explores both preventable and unavoidable factors contributing to attrition and offers practical solutions from mission leaders, agencies, and field workers. With data-driven insights, case studies, and strategic recommendations, this volume equips churches and agencies to better support missionaries and sustain long-term global engagement.

Does God really care about His servants? Yes!  The Reducing Missionary Attrition Project (ReMAP), launched by World Evangelical Fellowship Missions Commission, seeks to answer that question in this important study. This book utilizes the findings of a 14-nation study done by ReMAP and will help supply some very encouraging answers.  

This book was published in partnership with the World Evangelical Alliance.

Read more

Contents

Preface- David Tai-Woong Lee

Prologue- William D. Taylor

PART 1- THE FOUNDATIONAL PAPERS

1. Introduction: Examining the Iceberg Called Attrition

William D. Taylor

2. Missionary Attrition: Defining the Problem

Paul McKaughan

3. An Integrated Model of Missions

Rodolfo “Rudy" Giron

4. Reflection of Attrition in Career Missionaries: A Generational Perspective Into the Future

Kath Donovan and Ruth Myors

PART 2: THE RESEARCH ANALYSIS

5. Designing the ReMAP Research Project

Jonathan Lewis

6. Missionary Attrition: The ReMAP Research Report

Peter W. Brierley

7. Further Findings in the Research Data

Detlef Blocher and Jonathan Lewis

PART 3: NATIONAL CASE STUDIES

8. Missionary Attrition In Korea: Opinions of Agency Executives

Steve Sang-Cheol Moon

9. Brazilian Missionaries: How Long Are They Staying?

Ted Limpic

10. Attrition in the United Kingdom

Stanley Davies

11. Attrition in Ghana

Seth Anyomi

12. Attrition in the USA and Canada

Phillip Elkins

PART 4: THEMATIC CHAPTERS- THE SELECTION PROCESS

13. The Selection Process and the Issue of Attrition: Perspective of the New Sending Countries

Bertil Ekstrom

14. A Call to Partnership in the Missionary Selection Process: Perspective of the Old Sending Countries

Daryl Platt

FORMAL AND NONFORMAL PREFIELD TRAINING

15. Formal and Non-formal Pre-field Training: Perspective of the New Sending Countries

Margaretha Adiwardana

16. Formal and Non-formal Pre-field Training: Perspective of the Old Sending Countries

Bruce Dipple

MISSION AGENCY SCREENING AND ORIENTATION

17. Mission Agency Screening And Orientation and Effect of Attrition Factors: Perspective of the New Sending Countries

Seth Anyomi

18. Mission Agency Screening And Orientation - A Personal Journey: Perspective of the Old Sending Countries

Brent Lindquist

ON-FIELD TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

19. Missionary Attrition Issues - Supervision: Perspective of the New Sending Countries

Sung-Sam Kang

20. On-field Training And Supervision: Perspective of the Old Sending Countries

Myron S. Harrison

PASTORAL CARE OF THE MISSIONARY

21. Some Reflections on Pastoral Care:  Perspective of the New Sending Countries

Belinda Ng

22. Member Care on the Field - Taking the Longer Road: Perspective of the Old Sending Countries

Kelly O’Donnell

23. What About the Missionary Kids and Attrition?

David Pollock

24. Interview of Six Church Pastors From Five Nations: Attrition Issues

William D. Taylor

25. An International Guide for Member Care Resources

Kelly O’Donnell

PART 5: FINAL OBSERVATIONS AND OUTCOMES

26. Challenging the Missions Stakeholders: Conclusions and Implications; Further Research

William D. Taylor

PART 6: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Survey Instrument

Attrition Tracking Guidelines for Mission Agencies

Phillip Elkins and Jonathan Lewis

Index

Praise for Too Valuable to Lose

In these times of rapid change, it is absolutely critical that those in missionary enterprise evaluate how we are doing with the stewardship of the men and women entrusted to our management and care.  This work constitutes our first report card.

-Paul McKaughan, CEO, EFMA

This book is one of the most important contributions to the modern missionary movement that has been made by the WEF/MC.  The information contained here will be a significant source of help and guidance to missionaries entering the 21st century.

-Gerry Seale, Evangelical Association of the Caribbean

Missionary attrition is a concern of both the older and younger sending missions, but more so for the latter because we lack the capability and resources to deal with it.  This book is very timely, and it is a must not only for leaders of younger missions, but also for the rank and file missionaries as well.

-Met Castillo, Missions Commission Evangelical Fellowship of Asia

As we seek to fulfill the mandate of global mission, we must not only recruit new missionaries, but we must reduce the number of unnecessary missionary casualties.  This insightful and practical book will help meet the goal.  It is a must read for all those involved in the missionary enterprise.

-Geoff Tunnicliffe, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Task Force on Global Mission

Product Details

• Title: Too Valuable to Lose: Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition
• Author: William D. Taylor
• Series: Globalization of Mission Series
• Publisher: William Carey Library
• Print Publication Date: 1997
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 402
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9780878089703, 9780878082773, 0878082778, 0878089705
• Resource ID: LLS:9780878089703
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-05-21T03:19:12Z