Straight Talk About Short Term

by Lisa McNees

Let’s say you’ve commited to doing a short-term mission this year. God moved you and now you want to get out there ... but the options seem endless. You look at the MSearch and feel overwhelmed. Everything begins to look the same ... so how do you decide?

Start by PRAYING. We often ask God what he wants after we’ve already decided what we want. Switch the order. Ask him where he’s already working. Ask him to let you join his work. Leave any arrogance at his feet. No, “Lord, I just know the people of Japan need me.” The world doesn’t need missionaries. The world needs Jesus. Start the process with him in mind, not your own preferences or agenda.

Be willing to be REDIRECTED. Decide now to obey his direction, no matter where that takes you. You may think that Ecuador is the place for you. He may lead you to Vietnam.

Gather a PRAYER TEAM (at least two or three people). Ask them to commit to praying you through the entire short-term missions process, from deciding and preparing to going and returning.

Involve your COMMUNITY in your decision. Get honest, objective feedback from your pastor, staffworker or someone you respect. If possible, find an older Christian who has some experience with missions. Step outside your peer group. (Sometimes well-meaning friends just tell us what we want to hear.) Now is the time to hear the truth. Be willing to listen, even if they suggest waiting a year. What gifts do they notice in you? How have they seen you serve? Where do they see a need for personal growth? Do they think you’re ready for this experience? What type of setting do they feel best suits you?

Ask yourself HOW you’d like to serve. Have you felt drawn to working with street kids in Brazil? Explore that option. Or are you intrigued by Asian cultures? Check out those areas. You have to start somewhere, so make some phone calls or work through the Options Guide, which you received at Urbana, or which can be found on this site.

Be HONEST with yourself. Are you interested in Malaysia because it sounds exotic or because your best friend is going? Your motives will never be perfectly pure, but explore why you really want to go to a particular place. Are you looking for some spiritual adventure? Following Christ is an adventure in and of itself. Wanting to experience a new culture is often a God-honoring desire, but all of your desires need to be filtered through his will. Often, the ministry itself is a better decision-guiding tool than geography. Discipling a new believer in Russia is just as important as discipling someone in Egypt. The point is to serve God wherever you end up, letting Christ be the focus.

Ask QUESTIONS as you investigate different sending agencies. Who is leading the project? What is his/her training? Will you be serving with a team or will you be alone? How long has this agency been serving in this country? What is their doctrinal statement? Does your doctrine fit with theirs? What do they say about the role of women in missions? Will someone follow-up the nationals you meet or is this a hit-and-run project? Questions aren’t stupid, nor do they show a lack of faith. God gave you a brain. Use it. The short-term experience is challenging enough as it is. Don’t add to it by going with an agency that makes you uncomfortable or with whom you have endless disagreements.

If possible, TALK with the director of the project before deciding. Personal contact is infinitely better than the coolest brochure. Talk with others who’ve gone on similar trips. Ask more questions. Then get back on your knees.

GOD longs to guide you. Call on him. His will may be hard to understand sometimes, but it’s not cryptic. He clearly states it in Scripture. Your short-term experience is one small step in fulfilling his plans to mold you into Christ’s image and to redeem a lost world.

Comments

Be the first one to add a comment.

To post a comment, please login or register

Straight Talk About Short Term

God's Word

Urbana Stories

35 days until

December 27-31, 2009