Short-term missions

From Free net encyclopedia

Short-Term Missions (STM) is a trend in Christian missions that is mobilizing thousands as missionaries for short periods of time ranging from days to a year.

In 1970 there were very few youth groups doing short-term missions in the United States. However, during the 1980s and '90s it has been observed that missiologically progressive local churches began to take a project approach to missions, capitalizing on directing present energy into short-term missions trips, vacations with a purpose, designated projects and offerings, and ministry teams. Whereas more missiologically conservative local churches tended to take a process approach to missions, which draws upon over 200 years of Protestant missions history worldwide.

The project approach has matured in the modern Short-term Missions (STM) movement and become a standard annual feature for thousands of Christian youth groups, church groups, and individuals across the United States.

There are independent Short-term Missions Organizations (STMs) as well as denominations and individual churches that facilitate these trips all over the world.

However, there is a limit to what short-term missionaries can accomplish on a given project. There is also debate as to how effective short-term missions are in actually recruiting candidates for the long term. The confusion often centres on a misunderstanding of the differing purposes of short term vs long-term missions. (In fact this tension is often exemplified by the usage of a term such as 'vs.' ). When both long-term and short-term teams recognise their individual interdependence on one another, there can often be observed an exponential growth of missions, by missional people.

Therefore, many Short-term Missions Organizations or sending agencies are addressing these issues and others through the adoption of Standards of Excellence in Short-term Missions.

See also

• History of Christian Missions
• Mission (Christian)

External links

• Standards of Excellence in Short-term Missions - official Web Site
• EFC Guide - guide to best practices for Short Term Missions
• Adventures In Missions - Short Term Missions for groups and individuals.
• STEM International
• Josiah Venture (Eastern Europe)
• Youth with a Mission
• The Design - Thoughts Dreams and Connections all about missions
• STMNetwork
• ShortTermMissions.com - current, detailed, mission trip search tool
• Medical Ministry International- Christian Short-Term Medical Ministry
• Operation Mobilization - Choose from 110 countries and 3 ships!
• The World Race - Racing To Fulfill The Great Commission

References

• "Ten Emerging Trends in Short-Term Missions." January 2000. Mission Frontiers. By Seth Barnes, Executive Director of Adventures In Missions

• "Short Termers and the Future of American Missions." January 2000. Mission Frontiers. By Monroe Brewer, Global Ministries Pastor at Crystal Evangelical Free Church in New Hope, Minnesota.

• "The Future of Short-Term Missions." March 2006. Lausanne World Pulse. By Seth Barnes, Executive Director of Adventures In Missions