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 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.