IS SHORT-TERM MISSION WORTHWHILE?

By Heather Cochrane

In recent years there has been increased enthusiasm for short-term mission. More

and more people are going on short term mission trips for a couple of weeks

during the summer, a month or two between courses or jobs or for one or two

years during a career break.  The growing popularity for short-term mission has

prompted much discussion about its worth and effectiveness.  Certainly there are

many reasons why short-term mission works but there are of course some drawbacks.

The big question is: Do the pros outweigh the cons?

Pros:

1. 1.There is no doubt that much can be achieved by short-termers. They can
   

         effectively be involved in projects (e.g. building, social), they can be a witness in the community, leaders can be trained

         with the help of short-term missionaries and people can be converted.  And unquestionably the lives of the short-termers

         themselves are transformed by their experience overseas. 

2. 2.Short-term mission can develop a life-long interest in mission.  God can often use a short-term mission experience to call a person into long-term missionary service.  This not being the case, short-termers regularly become supporters of long-term missionaries through prayer, giving or writing letters.  The enthusiasm of short-termers often spreads to others in their families and churches upon their return home. 
   

3. 3.Short-termers can be an encouragement to long-term missionaries, perhaps lightening their load for a period or providing fellowship in what can sometimes be a lonely or isolated situation.
   

Cons:

1. 1.Short-term mission is expensive.  Large sums of money have to be spent on short-termers - for travel, accommodation, living costs, insurance etc.  If cost were the only factor involved in assessing the value of short-term mission, it would not be worthwhile.
   

2. 2.The impact of short-term mission is frequently short lived.  This is the case especially if the trip has not been well thought out or has been planned without guidance from the long-term personnel.  Short-termers also face many limitations – language, culture and time to build lasting relationships.   There can be no substitute for long-term missionaries who share their lives with the communities in which they live.
   

3. 3.Perhaps the most serious concern about short-term mission is that it can be a distraction from long-term service.  Nowadays many see mission as a summer activity to be “done” each year.  This misconception can even lead to uncertainty about the need and indeed primacy of long-term mission.
   

Is short-term mission worthwhile?  Yes, if we appreciate the function of short-term mission as a support and help of the work that has already been established by long-term personnel and if we recognise that there are certain things that can and cannot be achieved in the short-term.  Short-term mission is most effective when it is well planned out and carried out under the direction of the long-term missionaries or the national church.  God can use short-term mission but we must never run the risk of thinking that it can replace long-term mission.  Ideally short-term mission should be seen as a springboard into longer-term involvement.