WHAT DO WE THINK ABOUT SHORT TERM MISSIONS?
We ask the question because there is debate as to whether they are a good thing, (especially for the people group receiving such teams), or a bad thing.
I have a friend who came to help train a short-term team before they left. After a couple of training sessions, he simply said he thought they probably shouldn’t go. He was not judging the character or heart of the team members, he just felt it wasn’t worth it. Wow, that was pretty deflating, and in my opinion, kind of insulting.
LET’S BE HONEST
We need to be honest about the failures in mission work, and in short-term mission teams, and about individuals who never should have gone. Truth be told, there have been “bad” missionaries, dysfunctional mission teams, and wrong-headed mission strategies, methods, and motives. It would take a big book to speak about each of these in depth.
JESUS STILL SENDS US!
Did Jesus have any idea who he was sending, did he know how much damage they would do, did he not have any respect for the feelings of the people to and for whom he was sending these missionaries? I think Jesus knew, and knows, about all the mess, even before it happens. He still sends us.
Since Jesus told us to go it is a bit presumptuous to declare that folks should just stop going. It is also a bit presumptuous to think that one’s idealistic picture of how missions should be done requires everyone to wait until the conditions are perfect. When idealistic purists meet imperfect mission workers and missions, combined with irritated and angry national Christian leaders, it gets messy and certainly delays the process. We could save a lot of money if, instead of sending teams, we just sent the money. But that is both unrealistic and naïve. Speaking from an American middle-class perspective, we live in the reality of affluence and fast, affordable travel. We also live in the reality that money follows people and relationships and sources of money that don’t build relationships dry up.
I WAS A PERFECT MISSIONARY
The false standard of perfectionism is true not only in “foreign missions” but in the work of community development as well. Although I was a perfect missionary, I have never met another one. All the others had defects as far as I was concerned. Although I had done cross-cultural ministry and community development with perfect ideology and methods, most other ministries just came up short. Yes, I am being facetious. Although, to my own shame, it cuts close to the truth of my sinful attitude at times. When you have had some success and seen others fail, it is too easy to be judgmental. We look for, and need, standards, but we must remember Jesus always has the last word. His commands come before the feelings of indigenous communities, academic experts, or cynical missionaries. Although we still must listen to them closely for any wisdom they have.
Here are some questions and standards for short-term teams:
Has anyone asked for you to come, or is this your idea? We should go if it is at someone’s invitation who knows what they want you to do and why.
Is this invitation simply because this person or group wants your money? They need money, of course, but if that is the primary reason for the relationship then it is not a healthy one.
Have you worked to help your team members go with the right attitude and disposition? This is hard to judge but not so hard to teach and train.
Here are some ideas for attitude:
a. We go with humility and seek to crucify any sense of superiority.
b. We go for the gospel, not our nationalism or cultural imperialism.
c. We go as servants and are committed to serving by doing what we are asked, if possible.
d. We are willing to serve under the leadership of our hosts and seek not to disrupt or compromise their ministry goals.
e. We go, not only as teachers of the gospel, but also as learners of a different culture, with respect. We are careful with our verbal comments about what we are experiencing. A cultural coach prior to going is a good thing.
f. We go with restraint, and do not make independent decisions about financial gifts, or promises, to people we have just met but obey our host leadership.
g. We go understanding that sometimes our novelty as foreigners can be used and might draw some people into this ministry.
h. We go understanding that our novelty doesn’t make us little saviors or messiahs and that it might distract some from Christ.
i. We go understanding that sometimes our nationality or the color of our skin brings hostility.
Does your group have “team integrity”? An acknowledged leader, a commitment from team members not to make unilateral decisions nor to openly question or defy leadership. An acknowledgement that leadership has a right to send you home if you are not a team player.
Does your team leader have a good relationship with the host leader, and fully cooperate with their vision? It is good to make sure that agendas, goals, and methods are agreed before you go, but once you are there we operate as servants – not as independent contractors. Any argument or open division between leaders is a failure, usually of the short-term leader.
WITH WHOM SHOULD WE WORK?
Some ministries have hosted mission teams over many years. They usually have a good system for housing, meals, transportation, and ministry or work projects. They usually have a staff prepared to guide and direct you. They have set costs and visiting teams fit into their strategy for evangelism or service projects. The best hosts also have cultural interpreters or trainers to help team members learn and not offend.
Some sites for mission teams have either never had a short-term team or are just getting started. Lots of communication is needed to make these visits successful. Both sides have an interest in “success.”
The host site may need more boots on the ground for their outreach or need some skill to complete a task. Your presence may also help their people catch a vision for the broader world and church and inspire their young people. They don’t need you to replace their indigenous leadership or participation. The income you bring may help them to hire their own people to supervise, cook, or transport the team. This gives them influence in their community.
The short-term team needs to have some self-understanding of what it wants to provide and accomplish for its members. Safety, security, sustainability (shelter, sleep, meals, water, etc.) are basic concerns. Then impact on the ground for the host ministry and a sense that the team is contributing. Team leaders should develop team dynamics that enhance internal relationships and personal spiritual growth. Team leaders need to be conscious of the interplay and balance between risk, opportunity, impact, and leaving no damage to people or relationships after the team goes home.
ANALYSIS OF THE VALUE OF SHORT-TERM TEAMS
Those who despise the use of short-term teams may do so for various reasons. Perspective plays a part in their conclusions. They may take a “professional” view and want statistics that show positive results on a balance sheet, or protection of indigenous and cultural communities. We should never belittle their questions as they should force us to make an honest appraisal. Sometimes this practice might work to undercut indigenous leadership that sees the value and need of short-term teams and is asking for it.
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
The correlation between mission-team members evolving into long term career missionaries. How often does this happen?
Mission trip members learning the wrong thing from the experience is often judged by listening to the casual remarks of team members, some of whom fail to make the right spiritual or cultural inferences.
De-briefing is very important for team members to have a broader perspective.
Try to avoid reports or testimonies back at the sending church that belittle, humiliate, or financially use the people who just hosted you.
A broadening of a cultural awareness on the part of both team members and indigenous folks.
Relational and financial links developed for the long term.
Financial links must be pursued with honesty, integrity, and commitment to protect from interference in local decision making or in developing dependency.
Investment toward development for local ownership is a worthy goal.
Spiritual and prayerful concern over the long term, for both sides, is a great outcome.
The long-term interest and involvement in missions by team members, in and from their local church is a great outcome.
The model of short-term trip, to short-term missionary, to career missionary is a great pattern to encourage.
Try to avoid “one off” trips that seem simply to provide a “tourist” opportunity for your team or a mercantile profit by the hosts.
Try to go to places where you have a continuing and developing relationship that is compatible with your own faith commitments so unity can be built and sustained.
Financial analysis of cost to impact is a worthy question. Team members often sacrifice to come, and there is always a risk to travel. As much as leaders are able, seek to make it worth it, for the cause of Christ.
Host leadership should always have the last word on whether conditions are safe and ready for individuals or teams to come.
END.
