Go

Contact Us in the UK

  • Phone: 01302 811319
  • Email: 
  • Mailing Address:  24 Elmfield Road, Hyde Park, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 2BA

Contact Us in the US

  • Phone: 202.468.4571
  • Email: 
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 5188 Wheaton, IL 60189-5188

news from the Radstock network

re-thinking short term missions (3): they need us, but we need them

Posted by Peter Walters on

Posted by Paul Williams.

arrows

In this third look at short-term missions, we feature further comment from the guys at Desiring God, as well as from the personal blog of our US Director, Brad Byrd. First from Desiring God:

We Need Them At Least as much as They Need Us

On day three of our series on short-term missions, we turn to Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making, for an article with some unique twists, "Unexpected Global Lessons: How Short-term Mission Is Becoming a Two-way Street."

[T]he whole apparatus of preparation for short-term trips assumes that the reason Americans [Editor: and other westerners] invest their time and treasure is to do something for others—to check off a list of activities that will supposedly help advance the gospel. In fact, it is the rare short-term team (with the notable, partial exception of medical and dental missions) that brings such unique skills and cross-cultural sensitivity that they can make a net contribution in their brief visit. Our counterparts in the developing world are more resourceful than we imagine—and we need them at least as much as they need us.

 

Now from Brad:

Are Short Term Teams Worth the Effort?

They take a lot of energy, are costly and sometimes emotionally messy. Put a team of relative unknowns under the pressure of cross cultural, cross language ministry and watch the sparks fly. Having said that, they are worth it, I am a living testimony that they have a much farther impact than we will ever see this side of eternity. John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church and leader of Desiring God Ministries, in Minneapolis, MN, says, "One of the payoffs is that there is scarcely today an under-fifty missionary on the field who didn't do a short term mission before they went out." Grace Team, watch out!


[Editor's Note: The Radstock network emphasis on long-term, low-key and relational in mission partnerships is key to the mutuality in learning that is essential for both sides of the partnership, including members of short term teams. For more on our values, click here.]

Tags: short term missions

Comments

Back to Top