Topic
Short-Term Missions
A longtime staple of church youth groups, short-term missions took off in the 1950s, when Youth With a Mission (Loren Cunningham) and Operation Mobilization (George Verwer) began sending young Christians around the world to build houses, minister to the needy, and share the gospel in unchurched communities. Trips lasting a few days to a few weeks give lay Christians a taste of the life of a missionary, without needing as much financial support or the blessing of a sending denomination. More recently, missiologists, pastors, and career missionaries have criticized STMs for blinding churches to the needs in their local community, their financial burden, and their reported ineffectiveness at creating lasting change abroad. Others defend STMs for encouraging young Christians’ faith and putting them in touch with fellow believers worldwide.
Are Short-Term Missions Good Stewardship?
More than two million teens go on such trips every year, and giving may exceed that given to long-term missionaries. But is short-term ministry built to last?
July 5, 2005
Missions Boot Camp for Teens
As these teens prepare for short-term trips, they learn more about how to talk about Jesus.
February 15, 2008
More on Short-Term Missions
Black Churches' Missing Missionaries
Black churches are booming. Why they are not sending.
April 2, 2013
How Can Short-Term Missions Best Advance God's Mission?
Author Brian Howell says we should start with a robust reconciliation theology.
February 7, 2013
Should Churches Abandon Travel-Intensive Short-Term Missions in Favor of Local Projects?
Three missions experts weigh in.
June 25, 2012
Wasted Charity
Why the 'compassion industry' is not helping the poor. A review of 'Toxic Charity'
November 11, 2011
Believers on the MOVE
A suburban Chicago church ministers to Muslims at home and abroad.
September 8, 2011
Youth with a Passion
In its first 50 years, YWAM has deployed four million workers in 240 countries. Now it sets its sights on 152 remaining unreached people groups.
December 8, 2010
Harnessing Haiti's Football Fever
How one ministry is using Haitians' passion for soccer to dispel post-earthquake stress.
July 6, 2010
'Best Time for a Christian'
Resilient evangelicals vow to restore Haiti, body and soul.
March 1, 2010
Honduran Hiatus
Political crisis disrupts short-term missions season, prompts introspection by church leaders.
July 14, 2009
Global is the New Local
Princeton's Robert Wuthnow says American congregations are more international than ever.
June 3, 2009
Hiding What They Seek
In my desire to be 'seeker-friendly,' I'm often guilty of concealing Jesus.
March 30, 2009
Missions Boot Camp
As these teens prepare for short-term trips, they learn more about how to talk about Jesus.
February 15, 2008
In the Aftermath of a Kidnapping
The South Korean missionary movement seeks to mature without losing its zeal.
November 7, 2007
Missions Isn't Safe
Let's not learn the wrong lessons from the South Korean kidnappings.
November 7, 2007
Support Strong for Danger Zone Missions
Despite kidnappings, active U.S. Christians still encourage mission trips to embattled nations.
September 10, 2007
Hostages' Pastor: 'Remorse Is the Face of the Church'
Interview with Park Eun-jo: 'I don't want this to be a stumbling block for missions.'
September 4, 2007
Taliban, South Korea Start Direct Talks
Also: U.S. missionary killed in Honduras, WEA announces Iraq branch, a commercial cross fight, and other stories from online sources around the world.
August 10, 2007
South Korea Orders All Aid Groups Out of Afghanistan
Plus: Military ministry video faulted, all eyes on Christian voters (in Lebanon), and other stories from online sources around the world.
August 9, 2007
South Korean Politicians Blame U.S. for Taliban Hostages
Korean officials seek direct negotiations with kidnappers.
August 3, 2007
After Taliban Kills Two Hostages, South Korea Pleads for Compromise
As another deadline passes, Taliban abductors make threats and Afghanistan warns of military action.
August 2, 2007
Afghanistan Kidnappers Kill Hostage as South Korea Debates Mission Work
Plus: Malaysia changes course on Shari'ah courts, remembering Tammy Faye, a church is attacked by Christian terrorists, and other stories from online sources around the world.
July 26, 2007
Wisdom for Short-Term Missionaries 
Serving With Eyes Wide Open prepares short-term missionaries to be culturally sensitive.
December 7, 2006
The New Missions Generation
Two centuries after Haystack, college students remain excited about missions—but with fundamentally different assumptions.
September 1, 2006
A Late Summer Gospel Extravaganza
Plus: Execution of Indonesian Christians delayed, spiritual travel, more Bono, and more articles from online sources around the world.
August 15, 2006
Word and Deed, Again and Again
Five months later and counting, Katrina continues to change the lives of both victims and volunteers.
March 1, 2006
Do Young People Make Poor Short-Term Missionaries?
A missions researcher answers readers' questions about his recent study and last week's Christianity Today conversation.
July 11, 2005
Who Gets 'Socially Rich' from Short-Term Missions?
How communities feel about themselves after receiving a group may be more important than the number of latrines dug or homes built.
July 8, 2005
Mission Trips or Exotic Youth Outings?
Not everything in your church's missions budget may be about missions.
July 7, 2005
Do Short-term Missions Change Anyone?
Or do one week's good intentions fall flat without a concerted effort to follow through?
July 6, 2005
Are Short-Term Missions Good Stewardship?
More than two million teens go on such trips every year, and giving may exceed that given to long-term missionaries. But is short-term ministry built to last?
July 5, 2005
Study Questions Whether Short-Term Missions Make a Difference
Missionaries don't keep giving after they return; hosts prefer money to guests, Calvin sociologist finds.
June 20, 2005
Agencies Announce Short-Term Missions Standards
Similar codes have been established in Great Britain and Canada
October 1, 2003
Southern Baptists push for more black missionaries
There are several reasons for the scarcity of black missionaries, but observers cite three: Culture. Money. And priorities. (RNS)
Chinese scholar to Americans: Let go, and let the church develop in its own way
Missionaries have often tried to recreate their version of church abroad. But for Christianity to flourish in another land, it must adapt in its own way, says Xi Lian on Christianity in China. (Faith & Leadership)
Going undercover, the evangelists taking Jesus to Tibet
Chinese authorities said to be selectively tolerant of Christian missionaries, seeing them as a counterforce to Buddhists. (Guardian)
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Newsletters
Google
