Posted by Brad Byrd

I just finished Mack & Leeann's Guide to Short Term Missions by Mack and Leeann Stiles, IVP while here in Peje, Kosova. I would highly recommend it to any one going on a short term mission or church leaders who are sending short term teams whether locally or across the globe. (See below for purchase options.)

Mack and Leeann address a host of issues from church partnerships to cultural sensitivity, contextualized evangelism to culture shock.  He also addresses the issue of risk in missions, one that seems to be the forefront of most church leaders minds when considering a short term location.

How many times have those of us on the field heard from a potential sending church,"can you give us a risk assessment?" Mack quotes from Frank Furedi's book, Culture of Fear, "When safety is worshipped and risks are seen as intrinsically bad, society is making a clear statement about the values that ought to guide life."  Mack adds his own sentiment when saying, "How true. I, for one, do not want to worship safety over God."  I have to say that I would be in agreement.  I don't know how many times I have heard from friends, family and others when I returned home from an overseas trip to a perceived risky location, "We are glad your back safe.  We have been praying for your safety."  

I am grateful for the prayer, I am disappointed by its focus, my safety! why haven't you been praying about my witness, my opportunities to share Christ, the lost souls of those I was spending time with?!!!  Don't get me wrong, I don't go looking for risks or relish in putting my family in harms way, but had we not risked and gone on our first family short term trip to Kosova roughly 5 years ago, they would not have the rich spiritual heritage they have at so young an age and perhaps the kingdom impact would be slightly less than it is today.

Food for thought indeed...[ed]. You can purchase your copy here or here.