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 ministry that STMs were made for insofar as they are themselves short-term and require the kind of energy and outreach focus that
STM participants bring
to the table. One
of the models that is particularly effective is the church-planting model
wherein the visiting team joins a host church in a one-week church planting
campaign. This model addresses the main criticisms
against STMs. Here’s how.
Because the local group has to do a lot of prep work to get
a new area ready for a church planting campaign, they become much clearer about
their vision and purpose than those planning other kinds of projects. A church planting project requires the
involvement of a lot of people in the host church, so the ownership level goes
up. As their goals are made more clear,
the short-term team has to become more focused as well. Their agendas fade into the background.
A good church-planting project does not require a lot of
skills on the part of the short-term group.
They need to be able to share their faith and pray with people. The local group does most of the hard work –
they have to follow up. But the very act
of coming creates faith in the local group.
It is a gift that they need as they step into uncharted territory.
Finally, a church plant, by definition is going to
endure. If done well, the new church
will continue to disciple new believers after the short-term group is gone.
Of course there are other benefits to the model – life
change can occur in both those who go as well as those in the host church. The process itself can produce the fruit of
more outwardly-focused churches and participants who have grabbed onto a vision
for the Great Commission.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Great example Seth!
We saw the same kind of thing the past two summers. We sent student teams to support families from our church living intentionally in another culture and had set up mini-projects that required both an investment and partnership from both the local hosts and the team that was showing up. The projects were a culture exchange and a beach camp and both were designed as catalyst experiences to further relationships and build momentum for the local hosts and families to continue follow up. This past summer, right after camp was over, 3 small groups for students started around the city – the first ever small groups for students that this parachurch org [and our extended church family] have had in this city. Not quite church planting per se – but definitely along the same lines.