SHORT-TERM MISSIONS: DOING THEM WELL Short-term missions, whether two weeks or two years, are a growing trend in the Western Church, one which seems will continue for the foreseeable future. There is little doubt that the popularity of short-term missions has grown from the genuine desire of an affluent society to be more involved in the Great Commission on a global scale. But how effective are short-term mission trips? An even better question might be, what does mean for a short-term mission trip to be effective? And if they are not, how can we make them so? I believe that short-term missions can be done well, though doing so will require more effort on the part of the leader and participants than is generally expected. In this paper, I will argue that if we choose the right leaders, adequately prepare the participants, take time to build relationships on the field, and sufficiently debrief upon returning, short-term missions can have a lasting impact on the team members and the local people. I will look at the role of short-term missions in the larger …show more content…
Solomon Aryeetey is concerned that those participating in short-term missions from the United States tend to “unwittingly adulterate the glorious gospel with a subtle, unabashed Western nationalism, a blatant assumption of superiority, and a default setting that is so dismissive of the contribution of the Majority World Church.” I said potential pitfall, however, because not all research paints such a dire picture. If Americans come to the field prepared to see where God is already at work and with the understanding that they are serving the local people rather than trying to save them, these sorts of trips can promote a culture of respect between the
Mission command is the commander's use of authority and direction to empower adaptive leaders in the conduct of unified land operations. It helps subordinates exercise disciplined initiative when operating within their commander’s intent. To facilitate effective mission command, commanders must accomplish four consecutive stages of the operations process. They must thoroughly understand the problem, visualize a solution that achieves a desired end state, and then accurately describe this visualization in order to direct the organization. Commanders continually lead and assess their organizations and provide input and influence to their subordinates and staff.
First, Sweeney provides an overview of American evangelicalism that is brief and balance. This is demonstrated by his broad yet comprehensive writing style and selection of chapter themes. Next, Sweeney’s inclusive approach provides the reader not only with the history of the more famed evangelicals, but also acknowledges the influences Pentecostals, charismatics, women and black leaders of the movement. Additionally, he is not afraid to highlight many of the shortcomings within the movement. In fact, “he confronts the American imperialism and “cultural chauvinism” that often accompanied mission in the nineteenth century (98) as well as the unfortunate embrace of slavery and racism by some evangelicals.” Lastly, chapter four contains a good summary of the development of modern missions movement. To his credit, Sweeney includes within this summary several trailblazing women in the rise of evangelical missions and affirms that women “worked more freely with internationals abroad than they could minister to Americans at home.” Moreover, he discusses criticism concerning “contextualization” and offers a couple of perspectives on the demographic trends of evangelical
Mead, Loren B. The Once and Future Church Reinventing the Congregation for a New Mission Frontier . The Alban Institute, Inc., 1991. Kindle eBook file.
This a great book and as mention before is a must not just for religious leaders but also the lay minister as well who are seeking to go on mission trips even though he focuses on foreign mission work the lessons he offers can be used here in the United States as well. For those who are going to read this books it can help them to be more accepting and open with those who they encounter from different cultures but to be open a missionary has to be able to through away certain stereotypes they have come to learn.
As I kept on reading, there was a strong connection between the novel and the Operation Auca missionary trip in Ecuador in 1956. The life of a native like Oknokwo’s and his tribe are rough and can be a problem with the more civilized people in a country. God needed some of His followers to reach towards the tribes to teach the Gospel, so that they can get along with anyone that intersects with the natives. In the mission trip in Ecuador, five missionaries were speared to death to spread God’s Word. After words, their wives took their places, took part in the native tribe, and members accepted Christ in their lives. When I read through the book, one question was connected to me; the question said, “What do Christian missionaries do in different cultures to spread the Gospel?”
Reverend Josiah Strong's Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis inspired missionaries to travel to foreign nations.
In his book, Radical, David Platt calls his readers to give up their pursuit of the American dream and live a life that Christ has called us to. This is a life of taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. He believes the church of America has forgotten what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. In his book he lays out a solid Biblical definition of what
In the bible we see that one of the first well-known missionaries was the Apostle Paul. Even though we see that Paul had background work in taking care of or killing those who did not share the same mind set as he did, he did however experience a life changing moment where he was able see the importance of acceptance and bringing Christianity into ones own identity. The work of the Apostle Paul was given by God to serve all people and share with them God’s grace and message through Jesus Christ. 3 This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for[a] Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 2 for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you,.” Paul traveled to many places and was known for sharing the...
"History of Missions." Home - Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .
Tennent, Timothy C. 2010. Invitation To World Missions. 1st ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
The most effective commanders through their leadership build cohesive teams. Mutual trust, shared understanding, and accepting prudent risk serve as just a few principles for mission command. Mutual trust is the foundation of any successful professional relationship that a commander shares with his staff and subordinates. The shared understanding of an operational environment functions, as the basis for the commander to effectively accomplish the mission. While my advice for the commander on what prudent risks to take may create more opportunities rather than accepting defeat. Incorporating the principles of mission command by building cohesive teams through mutual trust, fostering an environment of shared understanding, and accepting prudent risk will make me an effective adviser to the commander, aid the staff during the operations process, and provide an example for Soldiers to emulate.
In other words, evidence of God’s intention to establish diversity begins with the table of nations in Genesis 10 and continues throughout both the Old and New Testaments (Patten, 2013). Therefore, catering to or including cross-cultural communities in our ministry planning has biblical basis. Embracing various cultures abroad when preaching the gospel is also clearly outlined as a needed ministry when reading in the book of Acts, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Jones, Marge, and E. Grant Jones. Psychology of Missionary Adjustment. Springfield, Missouri: Logion Press, 1994.
He says that mission is a kind of “cultural relativism,” because it tends to give culture with faith instead of “promoting” culture with the God’s grace. (133) That is why missionary did not want to acknowledge customs and culture in Japan to spread Christianity properly. Since there was no clear distinction between delivering the good news and Western culture, both went out together. This worked the same for Indian to take over the Hindu environment with Christianity. (141) People could not closely related to their own culture anymore after they became Christian because there was no deep connection and common space between effect of new faith and their own life and culture. This kind of negative side appeared to many third worlds by “Western cultural imperialism,” and mission was one of the front influences among others.
My interactions with Jim left me with a number of questions that I continue to struggle with to this day. What does hospitality look like for those who profess to be Christians? Should Christians be trying to work harder towards better relationships with the other and those who believe differently than us? Is pluralism a plausible concept? What is my role as a pastor in leading the congregation in a time of Joys and concerns? As a pastor, how do I respond to Jim’s claims when I feel so passionately about interfaith relations? Who is my neighbor? The main focus of this project will be the challenge that Christians face to be witnesses of their faith in an increasingly pluralistic world. To examine these issues and questions, I will be looking at them from a wide variety of lenses including scriptural, theological, doctrinal, historical, and pastoral care.