Reimagining Short Term Missions – A Summary

Reimagining Short-Term Missions – A Summary

Introduction (For full book, Click Here or email Morgan@mosaicchapel.net)
Short-term missions (STM) trips stir up a lot of different emotions. Some people see them as powerful ways to serve, spread the gospel, and experience personal growth, while others see them as problematic—creating dependency, reinforcing a savior complex, or doing more harm than good. The reality is that STM has both successes and shortcomings. Instead of canceling these trips altogether or blindly continuing with business as usual, the authors propose a fresh perspective. This book is for anyone wrestling with the questions surrounding STM—leaders, participants, pastors, missionaries, or even those who have never gone on a trip but are considering it. The goal isn’t to introduce a brand-new concept but to encourage a shift in how we think about missions, the global Church, ourselves, and the trips themselves.

Shift 1: How We See Missions & the Global Church

STM has become one of the most visible expressions of missions in the Western Church, but missions is much bigger than a one- or two-week trip. The authors emphasize that STM needs to be connected to long-term ministry efforts rather than operating as an isolated event. The global Church is diverse, vibrant, and already at work—Jesus is being worshiped in thousands of languages across countless cultures. Instead of viewing STM as the primary way missions happens, the book encourages churches to see it as part of a larger effort that includes long-term workers, local churches, and sustainable partnerships.

One of the biggest pitfalls of STM is when trips are planned based on what excites Western participants rather than what actually benefits the communities they serve. A healthier approach involves listening to missionaries and local leaders to determine what would truly be helpful. That might mean sending fewer people and using the saved resources to fund local leadership development. It means shifting away from an individualistic, Western-centric mindset and recognizing that missions is about joining God’s ongoing work rather than being the ones who bring Him somewhere.

Shift 2: How We See Ourselves

Western STM participants often approach missions with an unspoken belief that they are the ones bringing solutions to people in need. This mentality needs to shift from “savior” to “participant.” The reality is that God has been at work in these places long before we arrived, and He will continue working after we leave. Instead of focusing on what we accomplish, STM should be about humbly joining in what God is already doing.

Western culture tends to measure success by tangible results—how many people were served, how many projects were completed, how many conversions happened. But the Bible celebrates faithfulness, not just measurable outcomes. We need to hold expectations loosely, trusting that even if we don’t see immediate results, God is still working.

Another key shift is moving from seeing ourselves as “experts” to being learners. No matter how much research we do, we will never fully understand a culture from the outside. Instead of assuming we know best, we should defer to local leaders who have been serving and discipling in their communities long before we arrived.

STM should also not be marketed primarily as a life-changing experience for participants. While trips can be transformative, the main focus should be serving others and supporting the local church—not personal fulfillment. When STM becomes about self-realization rather than mission, it turns people and ministries into props for Westerners’ spiritual growth. The right perspective is one of humble service, not an adventure to check off a bucket list.

Shift 3: How We See Others

Many STM teams approach their trips with a mindset of "doing things for" people rather than "partnering with" them. This language matters. Saying, “We’re going to build a church for this community” implies that the local believers are incapable of doing it themselves. It unintentionally reinforces a sense of superiority and creates dependency rather than empowerment.

Healthy STM views the local church as partners, not projects. Instead of assuming what a community needs, we should ask them. Instead of bringing in resources from the outside, we should work within the context of what’s locally available. Many Western STM teams have built schools or churches using materials and methods that local communities can’t maintain—leading to structures that fall into disrepair after the team leaves. True partnership means working with communities in ways that make sense for them.

Western Christians often view material wealth as the primary measure of prosperity, leading to comments like, “This trip made me so grateful for how much I have.” But this perspective misses the richness of faith, relationships, and community that many cultures have in abundance. STM should be a two-way exchange where Westerners are also learning from the spiritual depth of their global brothers and sisters.

Lastly, STM should resist the temptation to impose Western ways of doing ministry. Just because something works in an American church doesn’t mean it’s the right approach in another culture. Methods of evangelism, worship, and discipleship need to be contextualized in a way that makes sense for the local community.

Shift 4: How We See Our Trips

STM trips are often marketed as experiences that will change a participant’s life. While transformation is valuable, this focus can lead to a consumerist approach where people see missions as something to "consume" rather than an opportunity to serve. Instead of an experience-first mindset, STM should adopt a discipleship-first approach.

A discipleship posture means prioritizing self-denial and serving others over personal comfort. It asks, “How can I reflect Christ here?” rather than, “What am I getting out of this trip?” It also requires clear expectations—STM participants should understand that the goal isn’t to have a fun, comfortable trip but to step into God’s mission, even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable.

STM should also be about long-term engagement. Instead of constantly chasing new destinations, churches should build lasting relationships with specific communities, returning to the same places year after year. This allows for deeper relationships, better contextualization, and more meaningful contributions.

At its best, STM can give participants a greater vision for God’s global mission, but only if it is approached with the right heart and strategy. Trips should be about equipping participants for a lifelong commitment to missions, not just a one-time event.

Conclusion

The authors don’t want this book to be used as a way to criticize churches or discourage missions efforts. Instead, they hope it sparks healthy conversations and leads to thoughtful changes. They encourage readers to assess where they’ve done well, where they need to grow, and what small shifts they can start making right away.

STM isn’t inherently good or bad—it depends on how it’s done. By moving away from a Western-centric, results-driven approach and embracing humility, partnership, and long-term engagement, STM can become a powerful tool for the Kingdom. The challenge is to reimagine missions in a way that truly serves the global Church and brings lasting impact.