Six Aids to Effective Summer Missions Planning

     Planning an effective Summer Mission can be a daunting task, especially if that isn't the extent of your job description. Some find it so daunting that they prefer to scrap the idea of Short Term Missions altogether. Why not leave missions to the those committed to Long Term Missions? Aren't they more effective? Unfortunately, that leave-ministry-to-the-paid-experts attitude has left the American church with too many pew-sitters and too few laborers. Also a reduction in resources going to Short Term Missions doesn't necessarily mean more resources are spent on Long Term Missions. Fortunately, there is help for planning Short Term and Summer Missions. Here are six things that can help:

1. Prayer. Let's start with the obvious. "If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God," is from James 1:5. But prayer is much more than a request to the Santa-in-the-Sky. It is seeking to know and align ourselves with God's will. So what does he have planned for the people you shepherd? What are the obstacles he sees in their lives? What does he plan to do about it? Make no mistake, he has a plan.
     But ministry isn‘t just about where but also when. God‘s timing is always perfect, even if it doesn't make sense to us. Missionaries from William Carey to Jim Eliot can attest to how crazy God‘s timing seems sometimes. So before you start planning, the first question to ask is should your team go on a Summer Mission or not? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that.

2. Experts. Short Term Missions has changed so fast in the last two decades that I don't know anyone who can claim to be an expert in it. But there are many people with a great deal of helpful information. A Long Term missionary in the area you are going can give invaluable advice on what to expect, what to wear, and how to act to minimize cross-cultural barriers. And don't overlook your brothers and sisters who are native to the country. Good communication with the locals is invaluable in any mission either long or short term. There are also experts in travel and travel insurance  that you can consult for those needs. Agencies that specialize in Short Term Missions combine some of these expertise. Just make sure all your needs are covered.

3. Long Term Relationships. The importance of long term relationships cannot be over stated for the spiritual health of those going and of those receiving Short Term Missions. The days of month-long trips on ships to spread the gospel are long gone. Today there are few places on the earth that can't be reached in 24 hours, if you have the stamina for the trip. The internet and e-mail have further reduced the true distance between friends. Now the challenge is are we willing to cooperate with and learn from each other? Your church may not reach many countries, but are you willing to get involved with one?

4. Discipleship. Picture yourself looking out over your congregation and asking yourself how many have been discipled? How many know what they believe and could share it with someone else? In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commands us to make disciples as part of his Great Commission. Short Term Missions can be part of the process both for those going and for those receiving, but it has to be intentional. If people could be discipled by osmosis, Jesus would not have given it as a command.

5. Training. Many aspects of Summer Missions require training in addition to discipleship. Everything from how to understand a different culture to skills like drama or construction may be needed. Even the proper way to clear brush or trash so as not to be injured must be taught. Here the experts may be within your congregation. Just make sure everyone going understands their job and how to do it.

6. Humility. Humility is such an unsophisticated and misunderstood virtue. And yet like a spoon full of honey, it can make even the most bitter things sweeter. Humility on a Summer Mission would seek to minister with brothers and sisters in Christ not to them. It would seek to learn as well as teach. May we, like Christ, seek to make little of our reputations so as to add members to God's family.