Short-term missions

Short-term missions

Are short-term missions becoming faddish?

Are short-term missions becoming faddish? That's a rhetorical question. The answer is: YES. I estimate that 75% of STMs are done poorly (that is, not ...

Short-term missions

Project leaders need to realize they’re on-stage

We Americans like things to be organized and we like things to be clearly defined as to what is kept backstage (produc...

Short-term missions

VBS ladies – the pros and cons

Warning: This blog is calculated to offend a few people, though offense is often a first step in making necessary changes. VBS ladies - I've se...

Short-term missions

Finding translators for mission projects

  It is hard to find a good balance between host church and sending church partners. Typically the sending church inadvertently fosters de...

Short-term missions

Evening ministry chaos on my project

Well, there is just time enough for a quick post before whisking away my bride to a romantic restaurant. OK, for those of you interested in my thought...

Short-term missions

Here’s an effective model of short-term missions

While it’s a given that the greatest impact of most short-term mission (STM) trips is on the participants themselves, there are certain kinds of...

Short-term missions

Short-term missions should be about relationships

Here’s what I wrote to our 4000 participants who spent a week trying to help rebuild New Orleans this past year: Many people look at their missio...

Short-term missions

Short-term missions: Are one-week projects bad?

Yesterday I wrote what may have seemed to some short-term missions (STM) practioners a fairly inflammatory blog. Some readers may be forgiven for aski...

Short-term missions

Short-term missions should mobilize you for the kingdom

I’ve been doing short-term missions (STMs) for 30 years now as an organizer and participant. I’ve written more articles and essays on the subject ...

Short-term missions

Excellence in short-term missions

Anything being done repetitively on a large scale needs to grapple with the idea of "excellence." Short-term missions is no exception. The idea of ...