Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions

by Forrest Inslee (Editor), Angel Burns (Editor)

This book is for those who suspect that current practices of short-term missions are in need of serious reform. It is a book for those who recognize that, in this decade of global upheaval—and in light of the cultural, political, and demographic shifts affecting churches everywhere—now is the time for change. The essays here are intended to equip and inspire any who want to advocate for change but may not yet know what change looks like.

This book offers honest perspectives from people who care about the purposes of short-term missions (STM) yet know that we must figure out better ways of achieving them. Nearly all contributors are actively engaged in STM—and many write from the perspective of those who host STM teams in places all over the world.

This book is a platform for visionaries who are calling for better ways for the church to engage the needs of the world. In sharing their experiences, they hope to promote critical rethinking and creative reimagination about the ways that the global church might learn to collaborate on a new basis of coequality and mutual respect—for the good of the world and the glory of God.

214 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2022

Reviews

[Jason Lyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In rethinking short-term missions we need to strike a balance. A balance between the ethos of those being served, and the ethos of those serving. By giving us perspectives from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, this essay collection does just that. Brilliant!
Jason Lyle, CEO, 10:15 Foundation
Pastor Hillary Wafula, Lumino Town Baptist Church, and Administrator, Bright Hope Orphanage, Uganda

[Greg Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve ever been involved in STMs you will have a hard time putting this book down. What I love about it is the diverse community it represents—practitioners and scholars from around the world, inviting us into conversation about this this urgent topic: The impacts of doing STMs without thoughtful engagement have been devastating, and we must now find the courage to engage in the hard conversations that will lead to better practices.

Dr. Greg Burch, Director of Global Development and Justice, Multnomah University

[Morf Morford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who grew up in a church the past decade or two knows about short term missions (STM).

STM usually means high school students (often in matching T-shirts) going to a distant, largely poor, foreign language speaking area.

These are, for the most part life-changing, inspirational experiences – at least for those suburban “sending” churches.

There are also the seemingly endless fund raisers for these trips.

The real question, of course is how well any of this money and energy is used and what the long-term impacts on the ‘host” (as in the welcoming) community.

STM trips tend to confirm stereotypes about racial/class divisions, especially north/south hemisphere assumptions.

Churches tend to (possibly unintentionally) confirm “white savior” feelings in the context of “needy” people of color around the world.

Superiority and dependence tend to be the two extreme lingering effects of the typical STM.

To put it mildly, this is not Christ-like.

STM trips get young people excited and have the possibility of changing lives – both here and out in the mission field – even if they rarely live up to their potential.

Re-imagining Short-term Missions is a collection of statements from those who know this territory well – both shortcomings and possibilities.

Instead of “empowerment”, they encourage what they call “co-powerment”- where each party (host and sender) gains and learns from each other.

And STM, they are convinced, works well as a one aspect of a long-term relationship in the service of the global church.

Like every meal, or even breath, STM is relatively ineffective on its own, but woven into the thread of a larger fabric, can be extremely effective – and encouraging.

If you, or your church or your kids are looking at STM, take a look at this book first.

STM can be a building block for a life changing experience – and not just for those kids in the matching T-shirts.

If you want to see lives changed, if you want to see time and money invested, not just spent, this book can show the way there.

I got my copy via Speakeasy, the book reviewing nexus, but however you get a copy, every church and youth group should have it as a resource.

[David Bronkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written largely by those on the “receiving” end of short-term mission trips, this book gives keen and deep insights into the challenges and benefits of these visits. Rooted in a plethora of actual examples, it provides practical suggestions for a Christ-centered approach that puts relationships first within a convicting framework of mutuality & unity, humility & repentance, curiosity & teachability, and creativity & contextualization. An absolute must read for all engaged in these endeavors!

Dr. David Bronkema, Associate Professor, Eastern University and co-author of Advocating for Justice: An Evangelical Vision for Transforming Systems and Structure

[Marti Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the diversity of endeavors under the term short-term missions umbrella, it’s hard to find an easier target in the mission world to critique. But many of us have some horror stories to tell from our own experiences or that of those we know.

What about you? Ready to think deeply as you relaunch efforts halted by the pandemic? This hard-hitting but ultimately constructive book may be for you. It includes almost two dozen essays written by 40 global contributors. Chapters are grouped around core values they promote: mutuality and unity, humility and repentance, curiosity and teachability, and creativity and contextualization. It includes lots of stories of missions done well.

[Debbie Bayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book speaks the hard truth that current STM practices are “broken, dysfunctional, and theologically-suspect.” And yet, despite this difficult message, the writers communicate deep hope and great joy in their vision for life-giving potential (for both hosts and guests) when Christ-followers commit to the long-term work of building real relationships with cultural others. Here is practical guidance, theological clarity, and inspirational leadership to help move us beyond shallow adjustments to genuine transformation.

Dr. Debbie Bayes, Intercultural Consultant, Culture Crux

[Katie E · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays is a timely word from and for followers of Jesus around the world who desire to engage in short-term mission in a way that reflects the humility of Christ and honors the Imago Dei in every person. The authentic reflections from diverse perspectives will enrich, challenge, and convict readers and, Lord willing, serve as catalysts on a shared journey towards a new and better vision for mission.

- Katie Toop, Senior Director of Transformational Development, World Concern

[Sarah Ena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t think of a timelier read for guiding individuals, communities, and faith-based relief & development organizations as they navigate this pivotal moment in time. Global events have forced us to evaluate why we travel—and most crucially, how and why we do programming. This essay collection urges us to do work that must be done if we want to serve one another according to truly just and loving principles.
Sarah Ena, Global Advisor—Security, Safety & Resilience, World Vision International

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows exactly where our conversation as a church full of “helpers” needs to be. I celebrate that it is no longer good enough for our hearts to simply “be in the right place”. Instead we must challenge one another to a much higher standard of socio-cultural understanding. This essay collection shows that to truly be Christ’s hands and feet, we must first seek a deeper awareness of ourselves and of our neighbors.

Alexis Miller, International Director, Not Abandoned

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most important book about short-term missions I have read for a long time. The COVID pandemic forced us to rethink life, faith and the inequalities within our society. It should also encourage us to rethink short-term missions and some of the bad practices that dishonor people and reinforce global inequalities.
Dr. Christine Sine, author of The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting In God

[April Foster]

Reimagining Short-term Missions is the best book I have read so far that helps to evaluate and re-think the purpose and practice of STM. I love the concept of copowerment and the long-term benefits for everyone. After hosting numerous teams over the last twenty years, I have often longed for a better ethos concerning short term missions—and this book provides it! I will be recommending it to all STMs teams from now on.
April Foster, Co-founder and Director, Breaking Chains Network, Belgium

[Jesse Crock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors in this book make the case for a healthy paradigm shift towards better engagement between communities across the globe. Readers will benefit from the wisdom drawn from experienced practitioners who show us how to pursue a dynamic mutual transformation in various cultural contexts. This book is must-read for any who would be part of truly effective short-term missions.

[Randy Woodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel Burns and Forrest Inslee packed a lot of wisdom into Re-Imagining Short-Term Missions. As a trained Missiologist, I urge you, don’t plan another trip until you and your team have studied this book together. It will make a world of difference for everyone involved.” -Rev. Dr. Randy S. Woodley, Author, and Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture at Portland Seminary