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St Francis Magazine Vol 8, No 2 | April 2012 of God becomes the basis of Christian community.” 32 Harvey Shepherd reminds us that being in community is not a choice rather it is part of our obedience to God. 33 Mission agencies must re-­‐engage this biblical truth, and allow it to shape life and ministry. In doing so the methods of defining biblical theology, drafting policies and establishing best practice will be shaped by a whole view of God, his body, and the context and cost of transformational kingdom ministry 9. Who is responsible? The underlying thesis for mission agencies and leaders managing risk and suffering is that community is the context for ministry, and therefore foundational in our preparations, decisions, reflections, and growing. It asserts that true community is at the heart of Jesus’ call to unconditional love and commitment in the body of Christ. Organisational charts, crisis management protocols, teams of trained experts, established best practice guidelines are all essential, and each agency should be vigorous in its pursuit of excellence in preparation, training, policies, procedures and practices. However, even with the best of these in place, we will only see the body of Christ grow and flourish, as it did at the time of the early church, when this work happens within the context of community. 32 Teague op cit:53. 33 ibid:62. 178