A Far Green Country

Signicance of short-term involvement

The list of accomplishments of short-termers is both long and impressive: vocational skills are shared, children of long-term missionaries are taught, tracts and Bibles are distributed, Christian charity is demonstrated, people are converted, local church leaders trained, and the body of Christ encouraged. These are genuinely worthwhile ministries. The name of God is glorified by them.

The significance of short-term missions is equally profound on those who participate. For instance, it is often the only way some professionals-- doctors, nurses, dentists, and veterinarians--can serve. It is considered by many to be the best way to find out if one is suited for a career in missions.

Perhaps, the most often mentioned benefit of short-term service is that "it leads to long-term commitment." This long-term involvement comes in two forms:

1. Most short-termers become informed senders, i.e., those who return home and actively serve in the mission program of a local congregation.
2. Some short-termers become career missionaries who take part in a wide variety of ministries throughout the world.

Limitations of short-term work

In spite of all the good that is accomplished, short-term arrangements cannot do everything that must be done overseas. One should expect certain limitations as part and parcel of short-term service.

For instance, cross-cultural mission work is not for everyone. For, if someone has emotional or spiritual problems at home, usually these difficulties will be amplified in a foreign setting.

Moreover, for some short-termers, the experience is disappointing. They expect--whether appropriately or inappropriately--to serve in the front lines of evangelism. Since they do not know the language or the culture, it is impossible for them to do what a long-term missionary does. The problem is not so much short-term missions per se, but the understanding of what short-term missionaries can rightfully be expected to accomplish.

The lack of church planting skills is the most serious limitation involving short-term workers. The reaching of the unreached for Jesus Christ, the planting of responsible, reproducing churches requires men and women who have learned the language, immersed themselves in the culture and have "come to stay" until the task is done.

Missionary personnel have been compared to military personnel. The army trains thousands of short-term recruits. Though they come and go, they are essential to battlefield success. However, the army depends on career people to develop the strategy and to lead the attack. The military knows it cannot replace long-term personnel with short-term recruits without courting disaster. The same is true for missions. Apart from the immediate service values of short-termers, which are considerable, there are also serious drawbacks to be considered. Seasoned leadership must not be sacrificed at the altar of expedience.

Potential in short-term appointments