Theology & Worldview

The Dangers and Opportunities of Short-term Missions

In the past three decades, short-term mission trips have become an increasingly popular American church outreach effort. Professor Don Fanning at Liberty University concludes that between one and four million short-term mission trips occur every year. Typically, these trendy trips take young adults overseas or out of state to complete projects such as handing out clothes or toys, or even building a well or house. On the surface, these missions seem harmless, but over the past several years concerns have grown about the long-lasting effects of these projects and the motivations of Christians who go on these short-term mission trips. Interestingly, the answer to the question about whether Americans should go on mission trips is more complicated than a simple yes or no. 

Many Christians fear that short-term mission trips negatively affect countries economically. Building houses and wells in foreign countries may steal jobs from local workers who certainly need the work. Poverty is usually a major issue in countries where churches send short-term missionaries, like Haiti or Uganda. So when American Christians go into foreign countries with the idea of building a well, the well may have some benefits. However, it will simultaneously take away job opportunities from people who need the income. Christians are also starting to argue that sending organizations should begin measuring the impact of what sending people overseas really does. For example, a Christian worker in Haiti might need to make $300 a month to cover his expenses; the cost of sending a large American mission team to Haiti could potentially pay his salary for 10 years. To be frank, the money used to bring American Christians overseas could be put to better use than painting a house for a week. 

Additionally, some Christians also feel concern about the motivations and expectations of short-term missionaries.. The “white savior complex” refers to the biased opinion of many in the developed western world that poor people in developing countries need us to personally go and help them. Although this does not apply to everyone who goes on short-term mission trips, many argue that these trips oftentimes benefit the Americans going on the trip more than the people in the country they’re visiting. Robert Lupton, a Christian community developer and author, makes this point in his book Toxic Charity by stating,  “Contrary to popular belief, most missions trips and service projects do not: empower those being served, engender healthy cross-cultural relationships, improve quality of life, relieve poverty, change the lives of participants [or] increase support for long-term missions work.” Essentially, the outcome of these mission trips often benefits the American Christians’ ego more than it actually benefits the country they’re in, the people in that country, or support for missions in general. 

Although there are some serious concerns about short-term mission trips, there are some arguments that can be made as to why they can be positive experiences for both the Americans visiting the foreign country and the foreign people they’re visiting. First of all, when Americans get to see the difficulties in other countries firsthand, they can gain a better understanding of what needs to be done to help and also how pray more specifically for that country. These short-term trips can also spark the passion for American Christians to pursue being a missionary overseas full time, which is an incredibly powerful and honorable thing. When short-term mission trips are about helping people with their needs, gaining understanding about the difficulties other countries face, spreading the gospel, and encouraging missions interest over the long term, great things can come forth from short-term mission trips.

 

 

Works Cited

Fanning, Don, “Short Term Missions: A trend that is growing exponentially” (2009). Trends and Issues in Missions. Paper 4. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgm_missions/4

Housworth, Caroline. Glacier National Park, Montana, 30 July 2019.

Lupton, Robert D. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It). HarperOne, 2012. 

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