In this segment I would like to share a few thoughts about short term mission trips. Short term mission trips have become immensely popular in the last 20-30 years. I don’t know the actual statistics, but it would seem like a fairly high percentage of youth from missionary minded church groups have participated in some sort of a short term mission trip.

As I had stated earlier in this series, there are many who have been involved in short term missions who have come to the conclusion that these trips have the potential to do more harm than good. I believe parents, church leaders, mission board members and even youth should be encouraged to think through this issues and not assume that just because we go we have blessed others.

There is one thing that is fairly certain. If you go, you will be changed. Exposure to other cultures and exposure to poverty will reshape your worldview. And that is not a bad thing. But, that is what makes this a tough discussion. Is it wrong to expand our view and understanding of the world around us? I think most of us would agree, this is not wrong. Part of the answer may be discovered by exploring the reasons why we go.

Is it an adventure? Is it a vacation? Is it a “mission” trip? If it is a “mission” trip, can the objectives be identified?

Some have suggested that one valid reason for a short term mission trip might be to encourage the long term missionaries. Long term mission work can be very draining emotionally and deep discouragement may be plaguing the heart of the missionary. A visit from some folks from home may be just what is needed to refresh the spirit.

A trip to another country and culture will naturally have a dimension of adventure and that is appropriate. But careful planning and establishing the objectives before going needs to be a part of the preparations. It is easy to inflate in our minds the positive influence we think we might have while we are there and also it is easy to overstate the impact we have had when we give a report to the home folks after we return.

Most often the destination for those going on a short term mission trip would be to a place where there is already an established church. It would be a good exercise for Americans wanting to go to think through the implications of what we plan to do or accomplish.

Try to imagine if the roles were reversed. Suppose that a group of Christians in France would decide that the American church needs some help and encouragement. So they decide to send a youth team along with some adults and they choose your church. They contact you to say they are coming to put on a children’s Bible School and by the way could you pick them up at the airport? Suppose they don’t consult with you to find out your thoughts on this project. They show up and organize a Bible School and they bring along gifts and candy for your children.

I know this scenario might be a bit unrealistic, but it makes a point. Too often Christians in other cultures are viewed by Americans as somewhat helpless and in great need of our resources and our enthusiasm. The messiah complex is evident and it demeans the capabilities of the Christians in other cultures. Instead of humbly consulting with the local church leadership, teams arrive with their own agenda.

Some short term missions trips are centered on dealing with poverty issues. Again, this is a sensitive issue. As I noted earlier, Americans love to fix problems and they love to build things. It is far too easy to arrive with good intentions but in the process overpower the local Christians.

Are we really contributing something valuable? Or are we taking work away from someone locally and actually making things worse from a poverty standpoint? Poverty is a real issue and it is not easily helped. Certainly a short term mission effort is not going to cure poverty. Ultimately, it is not outside assistance that is going to alleviate poverty.

The answer more likely will be found in helping the local people understand their own resources and opportunities around them. As Gary Miller points out in his book, “Know Before You Go”, there is a difference between critical needs and chronic needs.

Critical needs are urgent needs and outside help is often needed quickly. Examples would be natural disasters or even man made disasters such as wars. If help doesn’t arrive quickly lives may be lost. This kind of need has given many Christians opportunities to help others either by supplying funds and food or becoming part of a rebuilding team.

Chronic needs are different. These needs may have existed for generations. Short term mission efforts will have almost no impact on these needs.

I am not wise enough or experienced enough to say exactly what is appropriate and what is not appropriate in each situation that might arise. I would simply desire to raise our awareness level. Good intentions could have bad results.

Becoming aware of how easy it is to make others feel inferior by our superior attitudes is a very big step. Whenever we do have opportunity to participate in a short term mission trip it is valuable to clarify why we are going. Be honest. Is it possible we might be contributing very little in a positive way or maybe even causing harm?

Cultivate a spirit of cultural sensitivity. Learn how another culture may be different than what we are used to living. For example, we may value time. Other cultures may value relationships over time. What happens to relationship building if the new missionary arrives and tries to “enforce” timeliness?

There would be numerous such examples involving cultural insensitivities. The challenge for Christians is to sort out which cultural practices are addressed by scriptures and which ones are not.

In summary, short term mission trips may indeed be helpful. But understanding the ways they can become harmful will help make them a success.