Short-term mission trips have encountered criticism, but they have the potential to positively impact both the mission and the participant.
Summer is coming, and for most churches, this season brings youth camps, Vacation Bible School, and lower Sunday attendance. Increasingly, summer is also the season for mission trips. The last couple of years have severely affected our ability to travel, which has led to a decline in these trips. But this year, as things are more open, many churches are planning to go.
But short-term mission trips have encountered significant criticism including:
1. Poor stewardship
Mission trips are expensive. Sometimes, churches spend more on a one-week experience than the annual support for a missionary family or national pastor. This isn’t a reason not to go. However, we should keep this in mind as we evaluate the trip.
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