The Search Terms I Get…
Posted by C. Holland on Jul 14, 2009If you write a blog, run a website or are some form of IT professional, then you already know that you have access to a staggering amount of statistics about your website. While these can vary, nowadays you usually can view how many people viewed your blog or site from certain countries or see which search engines (such as Google) they used to find you. Additionally, you can also see what search term or phrase they used right before they clicked on your site address.
You can probably figure out what most of the search terms/phrases would be for Missionary Confidential, but as I reviewed the list from the entire life of this blog thus far, I started noticing trends. Some are good points, some are confusing, some cause concern, and a few even made me laugh, though I doubt they were meant that way.
I’ve grouped the most interesting ones for your review:
Curiosity
People want to know these things, evidently. Some of these may be answered in future posts.
- missionary licence (do they have those somewhere?)
- things missionaries should know (good starting point)
- how do missionaries live? (like other people)
- how do missionaries spend their time? (busier than you imagine)
- why do so many young people want to be a missionary? (is there an onslaught I’m unaware of?)
- what do we need to know about missionaries? (another good starting point)
- how to be a missionary wife (like any other Christian wife, I would think…ladies? care to comment?)
- what is the difference between a monk and a missionary? (I referenced “Pastor v. Missionary: What’s the Difference?” before and still get many clicks on this; afraid I don’t know much about the monastic life)
Doubts About Continuing
I was heartbroken over how many and how often these terms showed up. There are obviously a lot of missionaries that are conflicted about their next step. Or some missionaries are trying to avoid leaving.
- am I wrong for leaving the mission field?
- why do missionaries leave?
- missionary failure stories
- early missionary failures
- leaving the mission field because of homesickness
- percent of missionaries leave field after first year
- knowing when to leave a mission field
- what happens when missionaries leave?
- what happens to a missionary who is asked to leave?
- what is it called when you leave the missionary field?
Financial Issues Are Popular
The only answer I can give is, “depends on the situation and the missionary.”
- should missionaries support themselves?
- paid missionaries wanted (I know there are a few agencies that pay, but should this have gone in the funny category?)
- fundraising on facebook (our most popular click)
- supporters per missionary
- how much should we pay our missionaries?
- supporting missionaries on leave
- why don’t missionaries make it to the field?
- should missionaries give? (I’ve struggled with this one, to be honest)
When Things Start Getting Serious
I appreciate the candour of these search terms.
- hard questions for missionaries
- missionary dilemma (that could be a lot of things, honestly)
- what should I take to the mission field?
- how do you tell your family you want to be a missionary? (I’m not the only one who thought this)
- will God call you to a place and then call you to somewhere else? (perhaps)
There Are Some Problems
It appears these are from people who had unfortunate interactions with a missionary. Or it’s missionaries trying to understand the bad reputation in some circles.
- bad missionary
- why are missionaries bad?
- why is missionary work bad?
- missionaries are bad
- messed up missionaries
- anxiety missionary (is this anxiety about missionaries, anxiety about being a missionary or a missionary that spreads anxiety?)
Made Me Laugh, Mostly
Some of these I’m just not sure what they were thinking.
- missionary part time (can there be such a thing, really?)
- free vacations for missionaries (sign me up!)
- laptops for missionaries (I’ll take one of those, too)
- how much does a missionary make? (it’s not really like a regular job)
- thank you note from missionary to supporters (yeah, I never know what to write, either)
- would you have any family time if you became a missionary? (as much time as anyone else in full-time ministry)
- what time do missionaries have to sleep? (were they looking for a specific bedtime or that we’re too busy to sleep?)
- can missionaries feel depressed? (of course, since we’re human, too)
Questions That Should Be Asked More
I hope in future that more Christians start seriously asking these questions amongst themselves and in their churches.
- what happens to a culture after missionaries leave? (I just get the feeling that few think this far in the process)
- I can’t be a missionary but I can support one (More of a comment, but still a great thought)
- best things to say to missionaries (Yes. Please. And eliminate the awkward/bad/insulting things, too.)
Related posts:
- When Missionaries Leave on Bad Terms
Interested in Short-Term Missions? Some Good Thoughts
“I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch
Missionary Confidential by Email
July 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Our most interesting search was “axe murderer” – one time I said something on my blog that someone I know had the poise and tact of an axe murderer and someone actually found their way to it with that google. The term was subsequently replaced with “bull in a china shop.”
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:07 am
@Greg: Hee hee! Thanks for the laugh. In my post I didn’t reference the odd search terms that had no relation to missionary issues, but you know that we all get some odd search terms from time to time. However, yours definitely takes the cake. Makes you wonder why someone would be searching for that…