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Plus-Factors for Short-term Missionaries
 In the mid-60s a letter was sent out from my former mission’s
headquarters requesting an assessment of the qualities necessary
for missionary candidates for the Philippines and elsewhere.
My experience and observation at that time were quite limited.
But it seemed to me that four things were necessary and helpful.
(Our particular ministry of discipleship training involved
a high level of interpersonal contact with Filipinos on a
day-to-day basis, often on a 24-hour-per-day basis.) Those
four items were as follows:
1. A practical knowledge and mastery
of Biblical principles with particular emphasis on the Old
Testament.
The Old Testament covers a much broader sweep of human history
and therefore better illustrates the diverse ways in which
Biblical truths and principles are applied within various
cultural patterns. For example, the story of Ruth and Boaz
was a help to me in broadening my understanding of the range
of “scriptural” courtship patterns— for
from my American evangelical mind-set, their customs would
be considered “strange”, even dangerous.
2. A capacity for a “suspended
judgment”.
This quality is the antithesis of an “either/or”
mentality. It can allow for various options in many human
situations. This quality should include the ability to work
comfortably with a high level of ambiguity…a characteristic
of many non-Western, harmony oriented societies. A person
with a capacity for suspended judgment may observe something
he does not understand and will not jump to a premature conclusion,
or critical judgment. In a cross-cultural context one may
wait for days, weeks or even months for additional observations
or information before being able to make accurate judgments
or settled conclusions on some aspects of a new culture.
3. Experience in community living.
Within my former mission and now within REACH in the Philippines,
community living is a common means of discipleship training.
Two or three single men or women often live with a staff representative
and his wife for a period of training, discipline, observation
and interaction. This is known as the “With Him”
principle taken from Mark 3:14. “He appointed twelve–designating
them to be apostles–that they might be with him and
that he might send them
out to preach.” Such “home training” ordinarily
lasts from one year to two years. This experience helps people
to moderate their self-centeredness, to resolve conflicts
in a “fish bowl” environment, and to promote meaningful
relationships and communication for both trainees and staff.
4. A sense of humor.
Especially helpful is the capacity to laugh at oneself, to
see oneself in awkward situations in a detached and amused
manner. A sense of humor is all the more necessary when the
missionary has a strong sense of mission and identification
with his particular calling. It is hard on our ego to look
foolish as often as the learning process requires. How much
more so is it without the tension relieving grace of laughter.
“A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast
spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22.
Looking over the the list above it should be obvious that
the common denominator for these items is a certain flexibility
of mind and spirit. Adaptability would be a possible synonym
for the same characteristics. Professional requirements aside,
these factors still appear to be a useful index for assessing
missionary candidates—particularly in so far as they
are quite easily observed.
Advantages of a Short-Term Mission
1. Provides hands-on, direct contact with cross-cultural
missions.
2. Provides an opportunity to see God at work (in one's personal
life and on the mission field.)
3. Stimulates realistic vision for the global task of disciplemaking.
4. Short-termers can witness the impact they can make through
their example, evangelism, discipleship or the use or transfer
of their specific skills. Through their service they strengthen
the on-site, long-term ministry.
5. A short-term mission can provide the foundation for a
long-term commitment to career missionary service.
6. Short-term missions in the Philippines are inexpensive.
English is understood, people are friendly towards Americans
and most are open-hearted to Jesus.
What more do you want?
If you are interested in participating as as short-termer,
contact us at the address below.
Interested, yet not able to serve? You can participate as
a partner with your regular prayers and/or financial support.
Would you like to financially support Reach disciplemaking
ministries
on a monthly basis? Please let us know and we will send you
a Reach
Direct Monthly Support Plan and Enrollment Form.
Reach Ministries International
P.O. Box 842
La Habra, CA 90633
e-mail: reachmin@cosmoslink.net
FAX—(562)690-5612
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