We’re in the middle of hosting a short-term mission team to our field, so I’ve been too tied up to post much. Regular posting should resume soon, but I have to say it’s gone amazingly well. With all the horror stories and issues discussed both on this and other blogs, this team’s trip is the opposite. I’ve been reflecting on some of the reasons why this is:
- Prior Relationship: Not only is this group from one of our many supporting churches, we know the pastor (who is on this trip) from our last church planting gig in the States. It gave us a good idea about his attitudes towards foreign missions; however, we didn’t know the rest of the team before this.
- Lengthy Communication Up to the Trip: Many emails and phone calls were bandied to focus on details, issues, itinerary, what was to happen, etc.
- Openness to Our Ministry Needs: We were asked “what does your ministry need done?”, not told “here’s what our group does”.
- Financial Issues Handled by the Team: From the earliest stages of the planning to during this trip, we’ve been told that the team does not want to overburden us financially. They have no problem paying their way for the day-to-day needs here.
- Experience in International Travel/Other Short-Term Missions: We’ve all got to start somewhere, but this field and our ministry is not yet in the position to deal with an STM freaking about being out of the States (I’ve actually witnessed this at another church here, not pretty) or getting in a huff because they just wanted to “see” ministry, not “do” ministry.
- Cultural Sensitivity to Ministry Here: Everyone in the group have been respectful and understanding about spiritual interaction with the nationals here. I’m not worried that one of them will all of a sudden throw tracts at people, start preaching on a street corner or opening a conversation with one of our neighbours by telling them that they’re going to hell.
There’s still more time on this STM trip, but I’m really pleased over all.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
Related posts:
-
Are Short-Term Missions Sabotaging the Conversion to Long-Term Missionaries?
Interested in Short-Term Missions? Some Good Thoughts
How Effective Are Short-Term Mission Trips?
What, short-term missions…here?! Never! Glad to hear things are going well and equally glad to hear that short-term missions can be done (and are being done) well. Keep it up and enjoy the interaction.
I am very happy to hear that this is how this STM has been going. I learned early on in my Navy travels that I should offer only to help and support, never to barge in, and I’ve tried to do that. Not quite the same as a short term mission trip, but the same concept of not being a burden to the missionaries I’m visiting.
Very good post, and I hope that the rest of the trip goes as well as this part has.
Thanks to you both.
Good ideas to look at when it comes to STM. It can be done right it just takes an adjustment in mindsets and practices.
@Grady: I’m so glad to see that it’s possible.
Glad to hear things are going well.
Yes, we believe Short Term Missions can be done right and have significant impact.
OM Founder, George Verwer wrote a good article 10 Short Termers we do not want
Here’s a recent story about the impact a Short Term team can make. Short term missions, Long term Impact
I would agree there is defiantly a wrong way to do short term missions, but if done right can make a lasting impact.
Short Term teams must assist current long term ministry and/or churches. Teams can’t go out and to their own thing. Otherwise there is no followup mechanism. Ministry is more meaningful as well.
For myself, my 2 short term trips gave me a vision for missions and I have been involved for 10 years now.
@c.min.: Good stuff, I’ve seen all ten of those listed!
Good list of great STM trips. We recently had a group come to our ministry who were willing to read an easy cross cultural book (Ministering Cross Culturally) and spent time with us the day before going over some of the cultural differences we face. We did not know this church beforehand, but there is a relationship now. I would welcome them back anytime.