Comments on: Short Term Missions….. the good, the bad and the ugly http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ We all need some reeducation to see and to live like Jesus Wed, 30 May 2012 12:31:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Shay http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-3501 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:45:24 +0000 http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-3501 I would love to see more people returning from short term mission trips and following the call they felt in that setting into the long term mission field. I believe one major problem with short term missions is that the reality of God’s presence and movement in those places is forgotten after being back in the “norm” of day to day life for a bit. There is not much encouragement and guidance back home after short term missions on what to do next.

]]> By: Shannon http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-3494 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:31:41 +0000 http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-3494 I liked parts of it, but there were other parts that I didn’t like. Go figure, right? When you get back, we should talk about it, because I could probably use your focus on it.

I understand your worry about missions. My fear is the chest-thumping aspect of missions. The “hey look at what we did” for “such and such.”

]]> By: gregarthur http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-3493 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:10:09 +0000 http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-3493 Thanks Maggie, I will take a listen. Maybe I will load them up on the IPOD and listen to them on my way to Russia!

Shannon, I read the shaping of things to come and it is a good book. I think Maggie may have lent it to me.

I certainly think Short term missions can be done in a very positive way, but I am concerned that with the proliferation of short term missions our long term missions efforts have been negatively impacted. I especially worry about how many will hear the call to long term missions and respond.

]]> By: maggie http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-3492 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 12:35:55 +0000 http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-3492 The chapels are available online if you want to hear. Yesterday was entitled “Mcmission and the Glory of God”. Today is “Good Guests Ask First: Six Tips for Short-term Missions”. Thursday is “Short Term Mission: A View From the Field”. Friday is “Short Term Mission: Who Benefits?” They will all be on itunes for your listening pleasure.

The takeaway from yesterday was…short term mission…long term relationship. That is key.

I was reminded all day of the serious consideration that needs to occur before the Durham trip next summer. There is potential for lots of fruit, but it needs to be the kind that lasts.

Don’t forget to pack humility with your neck pillow.

]]> By: Shannon http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/comment-page-1/#comment-3490 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:34:29 +0000 http://holinessreeducation.com/2007/10/23/short-term-missions-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/#comment-3490 Greg,

Before you leave for the former Soviet Union, you need to pack your bags like tonight and come to Asbury. Seriously! There is a week-long conference this week on short term missions. I’m also reading a book now, The Shaping of Things to Come, for class tomorrow that discusses the positives and negatives of short-term missions.

I’ve been on two in my life, both with CUMC (Mississippi and Atlanta). Short term missions seems to be about come in, do some work, and then head home. The person on the trip has something to feel good about (and they should) but the people back at the mission are still left to do the brunt of the work.

There is a need for short term mission work, especially for youth (since I think this is about the most they can handle) and recovery missions (relief efforts). I don’t think you can do a week-long trip to Africa. There needs to be a balance. Perhaps instead of doing short term missions we should do offerings to support the missions in those areas that are continually doing the work. For instance an offering for a project the youth had worked with during the short term mission that left an impression. Or, even more radical, getting involved with a missionary and supporting that person.

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