Short Term Conversation

Short Term Missionaries/Missions.

Sigh.

Not an easy subject to address.

I am convinced that if you got a group of long term missionaries in a room with short term missionaries along with their leaders/directors of organizations all of who have a heart for missions and live stateside and have never lived anywhere overseas longer than three years, if that even and if you add various nationals who either make a living/support their churches/ministries through short term mission team trips and added a couple of Pastors from mega churches who define missions as short term mission teams, then if you then asked them all to talk about their experiences and try to develop a consensus or perspective on short term vs long term missions or how they can work better together, someone would be mopping up blood by the end of the meeting.

So, I'm not going there.

But Jamie, the very worst missionary, bravely broached the subject on her blog and started a dialogue that's turned into three blog posts. The first is HERE. I highly recommend you read it. If you have another two hours you can read through the comments.

I've experienced the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to short term missions and I've heard a lot of stories. What I really liked about these blog posts, was not so much what anyone was saying specifically, but that people were actually talking about the pros and cons about sending out short term teams. Talking about, and addressing the fact that those of us serving in this area of ministry need to dialogue more about what's going on and see if there are ways that this can be done better and what is really helping people. Because honestly, those of us who are here for the long run and the nationals, who usually are struggling to lead people in what can be very serious and difficult circumstances, don't necessarily need another puppet show on wheels rolling through town for a photo op with the orphans.

Here's my favorite bit from Jamie's latest blog post on the topic addressing the rational I've heard a hundred times in response to long term missionaries when discussing the problems of short term missions.

"The people who’s paths you cross in this life deserve to be treated with care and respect no matter their circumstance, no matter their lifestyle, no matter their level of education, no matter the color of their skin, no matter their language, and no matter their need.

It is the responsibility of the sending church, the participants, and the long-term missionaries on the ground, to work-together to make sure that while they’re busily transforming their inner-selves, they aren’t doing so to the detriment of the rest of God’s awesome and beloved creation."

That is probably one of the most profound things I've heard someone say about short term missions.

Some people use the rational, "These trips are not really for the people they are ministering to, it's really about what's happening to the people on the trip."

Take my word for it. People can get seriously hurt by that attitude.

It's always good to help others and yes, there is a blessing in giving your time and abilities to others. My first and last short term mission trip changed my entire life. But it challenged me to serve, not to receive.

I hope that the dialogue on short term teams and missionaries will keep going, and that ministry leaders can address strengths and weaknesses without shedding blood. The focus of missions should be on blessing the people God has called you to serve.

I apologize if I've offended any professional puppeteers.