the 2006-SIPCC-Seminar in Hamburg, Academy of Mission (affiliated to the Dept. of Practical Theology at Hamburg University), came up with a concret result, a definite agreement between SIPCC and the Academy, to go on and work together on issues at the 'borderline' between pastoral care and mission(s).
I the course of our discussions we decided to arrange our work in a different structure as from late 2007 on.
The Academy now takes the lead in this field.
The former attempt of the SIPCC (see below - marked in blue) is in a moratorium-state now.Our cooperation, however, will go on.
March 11th-12th, 2008 another consultation took place at the academy, dealing with theory building and with the exchange of good practice in Germany and abroad, sharing case studies of situations, where care giving and 'mission'-impetus(-ses) match in one way or another.Dr. Michael Biehl, Director of the Academy, gave a lecture on a modern notion of mission in the line of 'missio-dei'-theology (German text pdf )
The consultations will go on in 2009.
The strive for developing ways of accompanying expats while on assignment abroad will also go on in a new structure to be developed, in order to get a neccessary, highly competent, qualified and qualifying support
Working Committee on Seelsorge, Counselling and Supervision in Mission
formerly: "Round Table Counselling Counsellors (RTCC)"SIPCC cooperating with (German) Mission and Church-Aid Agencies
In the course of its work regarding issues of intercultural competencies and the perception of cultural diversities in various fields of Church work, SIPCC came into contact with mission agencies and other agencies, 'sending' their co-workers into asseignments abroad.
In our respective talks and discussions we found out that it might be helpful for all sides involved, to share respective and mutual experiences, and to support each other by providing supervision and couselling to co-workers as well as to officers of these sending agencies.About 2004 we started an informal planning and discussion pannel which we namend "Round Table Counselling for Counsellors".
This group set up criteria for supervisors, counsellors and care givers who want to engage in this type of work.
In the present phase of development, the group decided to stay within a German framework, being well aware of this restriction, and also being aware of the work of other, worldwide operating networks in this field.
First experiences of cooperations have been made, at first especially in cooperation with the Lutheran Church of Bavaria's Mission Work.
Theoretical and methodological questions have been discussed in detail.During this coming up spring 2007 the ideas will be cross-checked again with other German sending agencies.
Meanwhile the informal group changed its name into "Working Committee on Seelsorge, Counselling and Supervision in Mission"