Top Ten Reasons Not To Go

We have all heard them before.  There are numerous reasons people give to not go on short-term mission trips overseas.  

At first, they appear to be legitimate objections or concerns.  Consider then, however, the same objections, when placed in the context of a stateside trip.  They will be recognized almost immediately as absurd.  Why is this?  

Below are some of the most popular reasons, placed in the context of a trip to New Orleans, where we also sent a team.

10.  I don’t know if my stomach can take the food and I might get sick.
9.    Isn’t it dangerous with all the snakes there?
8.    How will we find Cajon interpreters, or whatever, for whatever they speak there?
7.    Isn’t it better stewardship to send money?
6.    Aren’t there churches in Louisiana to help? We have many needs right where we are.
5.    We can’t really accomplish much in just one week.
4.    My children are my primary mission field.
3.    I can’t afford to go.
2.    I don’t have a heart for those people.
1.    I don’t feel called to go.

Thankfully, we don’t hear such ludicrous statements being made for not going to New Orleans and helping minister physically and spiritually to those suffering from disasters like hurricane Katrina.  But, why then do we hear these statements so often from people in regard to doing foreign mission work?  Worse yet, we often consider that these excuses might really be valid and so we grant them legitimacy far too quickly.  

In regard to helping victims of Katrina, the sheer magnitude of the catastrophe, suffering, and needs render these excuses unacceptable by comparison.  But, when we consider the spiritual and physical needs of those overseas, especially in the 10/40 window, such magnitude dwarfs that of Katrina, especially when we talk about the scale of spiritual needs.

Certainly, there are valid reasons for people not to go on short-term mission campaigns, whether a passport is needed or not.  But, none of the above ten reasons should be included in this category.  Even then, they can support those who do go with sincere encouragement, faithful prayer, and sacrificial financial support. 

These ten reasons don’t need, nor do they deserve, a detailed biblical answer.  Perhaps, it would be more helpful if we were more forthright in telling people the truth--about themselves and about the mission.  In fact it might be more thought provoking to give a simple reflection on basic familiar Bible passages combined with pithy candid responses (as below).  Sometimes, this is all it will take to lead to a more thorough reflection by those convinced that they have the perfect spiritual excuse.  So much more could be said in response to each of these ten items than what is contained in this short article; but, hopefully, this will be enough to stimulate and embolden.

10.  I don’t know if my stomach can take the food and I might get sick.

This is why your mother told you to eat all your food when you were young, including the smelly scary green broccoli.  Pepto Bismol tablets work and are easy to pack.  Bring some of your own food, then.  Just listen to what you are saying here!  Yes, you might get sick, too.  So, bring medicine.  But, then again, you might get sick staying home, going to school, or work . . . oh my, what dangers!

9.  Isn’t it dangerous with all the snakes there?

It is not likely something traumatic will happen to you.  Snake-bite kits can be had for a nominal cost.  And the natives will be able and glad to help you too, by the way.  They deal with such dangers all the time.  And don’t forget, you live with such dangers all the time in your own context--dangers that are unique to your own geography.

8.  How will we find Cajon interpreters, or whatever, for whatever they speak there?

It is easy to work through interpreters and they are eager to help you because you have come to help them.  It is beginning to look like this list is more from fear than anything else.

7.  Isn’t it better stewardship to send money?

This is sometimes true.  But, most often this is the typical American excuse to get out of the hard work and the personal commitment.  People are needed far more than money.  It is amazing how playing this old “stewardship” card can so easily appear so spiritual when much of the time it only reveals lack of spirituality and even hypocrisy.  Just ask people how much they are currently giving.

6.  Aren’t there churches in Louisiana to help?  We have many needs right where we are.

I often wonder whether or not such an excuse comes from people that are actually engaged in such local work--surely some are, I know.  We need to remember that we are a universal and interdependent Church.  God has designed it this way.  Broadly speaking, we have way more resources than we need at home.  Help needs to be strategically funneled to the areas of greatest need.  I wonder if perhaps this is not just selfishness in disguise.  How would we feel about this excuse if the roles were reversed?

5.  We can’t really accomplish much in just one week.

Well, you won’t know if you don’t try.  Actually, the evidence is in, and a whole lot has been accomplished with one-week trips.  Just think about how much you could get done even around your own house if you had a full week 24/7 with no demands or responsibilities!  Might this excuse in many cases be boiled down to laziness?

4.  My children are my primary mission field.

Who came up with such a non-biblical family-idolizing statement?!  Jesus said we are to love Him more than our own families, even.  The mission field is those who have never heard.  This excuse in practice really means my “only” ministry.  Of course, we will teach our own children; going on a short-term trip is not an abrogation of this duty.  Be real, we certainly have more time and resources than for just our own families?!  Besides, when you think about it what better way to model biblical priorities in the discipling of our children.

3.  I can’t afford to go.

Sure you can, if you are resourceful, creative, and put your trust in God.  Generally, in America this excuse is not believable.  Typically, we find the money for the things we want and the things we want to do.  The real question is “what do you want to do?”  Fundraising is a wonderful way to involve more people in the mission, encourage their spiritual health and growth, and spread the vision to more of God’s people.

2.  I don’t have a heart for those people.

So, get one!  I thought Christians were to love all people.  How would you like someone to say such things about you?!  Besides, mission trips are not about you; don’t be so selfish!  On the positive side, you will get a heart once you go.  Try it, and see what God will do in you.

1.  I don’t feel called to go.

So what!  Haven’t we already been commanded to go?  Isn’t this enough?  And what level of “calling” is really necessary for a 7-10 day short-term mission trip?!  If you are talking full-time career mission, then calling becomes a real issue.  Just take the vacation time and get on the plane.  You will be blessed.  And you will discover your calling in the going--it is SO thrilling!

If we hear these excuses coming out of our own hearts, minds, and mouths, or from others in our churches, I hope we will not let them pass without an evaluation.  I would suggest that only in rare exceptional cases should any of these reasons be considered valid.  And there certainly will be other reasons and even related reasons that are legitimate.  But, most of the time people just don’t want to go or be involved.  And this is precisely what they need to say, being honest, facing themselves.  We must pray for courage and then act in faith as we lead people to re-think their involvement in the mission of the church.

World Christian Prayer Meetings

When our church sent out our first mission team we prayed a lot.  This was because we were sending our leaders into a dangerous country in southeast Asia for two weeks.  Anything could happen, and since we were new at this, we feared the worst.  

We organized special prayer meetings twice a week for four months in advance.  Attendance was high and prayers were detailed and fervent.  We were in this together, life or death.

Then, after hearing the reports from our team that arrived safely home, we were encouraged to try it again, and to pray even more, because we saw that prayer works.  That was the genesis of our World Christian Prayer Meetings (WCPMs).

They Took On a Variety of Forms

Our global vision was to create a “World Christian” climate in our church.  This was developed largely through these prayer meetings.  Initially, they were focused around the mission trips, for a a few months beforehand.  But then, the form of these WCPMs changed a little each year.  

Later on, they became standard mid-week prayer meetings, but not to be confused with the infamous slow-paced long-listed vision-lacking somber-like-somebody-died prayer meetings, rather these were entirely focused upon His Mission and His Glory and pressing forward.  

Eventually, we settled in and held them on Sunday evenings monthly.  The meetings were always filled with energetic believing prayers directed at Gospel progress around the world.  Regardless of how tired you might be going in, it was always worth it because you would be roused by the Spirit over the advance of the Kingdom.

The Outline Remained the Same

We would break into groups of four or five adults and youth.  Children were always welcome, of course.  There were five movements of prayer each meeting.  The leader would be well prepared with current information.  It was one hour of serious and joyful praying together--truly one of the highlights of each month of ministry!

1. Sharing of Scripture about God’s Mission in the world.
2. Praying for our own church’s vision for Gospel impact among the unreached people group we adopted and the surrounding region.  We would pray for our partners, upcoming trips, church planting, and many other things on our hearts.
   
3. Praying for an unusual place in the world using Operation World.  We skimmed through the description in our groups, and then we prayed.  Sometimes we would have a brief motivational media presentation.
   
4. Praying for one of our supported missionaries.  We contacted them that week to get up to date prayer requests.  After praying that night, many would contact our missionaries, and keep us all current with their needs, successes, worries and much more.
   
5. Praying for our own church’s vision for Gospel impact in our own community.  We would pray through our vision, goals, and for our staff and leaders dedicated to making it happen.  We would pray along with all the developments.

Praying for Laborers in the Kingdom Harvest

Every prayer meeting was grounded in these words of Jesus Christ our Lord, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

The Kingdom is here with the Messiah and it is time to bring people into the Kingdom.  The problem is that the harvest is ready but there are so few laborers who are ready.  There are always so many people ready to come into the Kingdom. Do you see this problem?  Are you concerned about this problem?  

The solution to the problem is, first of all, prayer.  We are told to ask, beg, plead with the “Lord of the Harvest,” who is overseeing and directing His Harvest, bringing many into His Kingdom.  This is urgent.  We are to Pray now! Pray often! Pray continually!  “Please, please, please, Lord send out more workers into the Kingdom Harvest!”  Be prepared that those who pray such prayers are going to end up being those involved in the going, and it will be thrilling . . . becoming a World Christian!

Luke Suggests Hanging Out With Sinners More Often

There are many lost sinners in this world, but some will be given ears to hear and will repent and believe, becoming “found sinners.”  Luke would have the Church imitate Jesus in pursuing sinners for joy--their, ours, and heaven’s.  Many sinners will be attracted to Jesus and the Gospel. 

A World Wide Movement of Sinners

Luke 15:1 ESV “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.”

The sinners of the world are uniting in flocking to Jesus.  With great irony Luke says that “all” the despised dishonest unpatriotic Jewish tax-collectors and “all” the ignored flagrant sexually immoral sinners were streaming to Jesus--even at the moment, even after the demanding call of 14:25-35!  Maybe some were from that crowd, heard the speech, and were inspired by His demand that He must occupy first place in the lives of His disciples with everything else in distant second.

Luke desires to impress upon us that this is what sinners often do, even in our day--they flock to Jesus.  Why?  Because many want to repent before God and receive His forgiveness and new life.  He is further implying that such sinners who are hated by religious hypocrites are quite often attracted to Jesus; although Jesus should be more frightening because of His holiness.  So, when this actually happens, we know that God is at work in them--to cause them to come in spite of fear.

Pushback by the Self-Righteous

Luke 15:2 ESV “And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.””

But the self-righteous religious (who are the not-so-righteous-after-all) despise such a movement of sinners.  The Pharisees and Scribes grumbled among themselves yet again.  To them, it is disgusting that a rabbi would have such a following of these types of people.  To them, it is repulsive that a rabbi would have such fellowship with them--sharing meals, even.  We don’t know for certain but if Jesus was involved in hosting such meals, then all the worse!

Most religious leaders of the day didn’t understand what the Bible teaches us about separation from sinners.  They missed the fact that Jesus is not participating in their sinful activities, nor is He even accepting their lifestyles, not even tacitly.  He would speak against such things to their faces, even while socializing with them.  However, this association with sinners is just too close of an association for those religious leaders to accept.

Jesus was looking for the responsive among the sinners.  Surely, there were many more who loved their sin, hated Him, and avoided or left Him.  But, these are not the focus here, rather the other kind of sinners--those humbled by their sin.  Such sinners were the ones Jesus was seeking out--those who would repent and put their faith in Him, and so bring God and heaven great joy.

Three Parables of Joy

The Pharisees and Scribes didn’t know who Jesus was, nor why He came, because they were not listening.  Jesus proceeded to tell them two parables of joy:  finding the lost sheep (vv.4-7) and the lost coin (vv.8-10), explaining again exactly who He is and why He came.  In fact “joy” is mentioned five times in these brief stories.  Then, He described this joy in the lengthy and famous parable of the lost son (vv.11-32).

These parables teach us that we share in God’s joy by using His Gospel to search for and find sinners who repent.  There is great joy when sinners return to God their Creator as God their Redeemer.  Luke assumes this is a great joy that we live for too! 

Build a Reputation like Jesus

Matthew 11:19 ESV “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.””

Many sinners will be attracted to Jesus and the Gospel.  So, befriend sinners.  You know who they are and where to find them.  They live in your neighborhood.  Their kids play with your kids.  You work with many of them.  They are all around the world.  Many have never ever been befriended by a Christian before.  Would you be their friend?  Don’t run or hide from them.  Don’t keep them at arm’s length because of what others may think. 

Truly righteous spirituality searches out the lost, looking to find sinners who repent when hearing  the Gospel of forgiveness, freedom, cleansing and restoration.  Keep getting to know more and more of them and spend quality time with them.  Let your holiness of life and integrity of teaching attract them.  Make the Gospel clear for them.  And may the day of clarity be the day of the great joy spoken all throughout Luke 15!

So, Why Did You Come Here?

A few years ago I interviewed one of our church’s key national partners from East Asia.  At one point, I asked her to explain what types of foreign missionaries are most helpful to the house church movements in her area.  This led to a very lively and informative conversation that was educational to us all in moving forward together with greater understanding.

Her basic question for missionaries, particularly Americans, was, “why did you come here?”  Then, her explanation was broken down into residential missionaries and temporary missionaries.  The basic positives and negatives had to do with purpose, resolve and effectiveness.  Her concerns and advice were not hers alone but shared by many others in her location.  Here is a sampling of the commentary.

The Straight-Talk

As an evangelist and church planter at heart, her frustration with residential missionaries was that many she knew didn’t seem to really do a whole lot to advance the overall mission.  Some were so fearful of losing visa status that they rarely did the work of a missionary, at best providing quality of life services from a Christian perspective, which was okay but not highly strategic.  Others seemed to be just living out the American dream in another culture and inadvertently drawing young national believers into the largely timid and pragmatic American Christianity and out from the rigorous work of the mission.  

When it came to temporary teams, she was most unimpressed with those who would come and do anything and everything but share the Gospel and plant churches.  “Why else come over here?!”  It is a lot of effort to expend just to get a cross-cultural experience, or share a skill or a seminar already possessed by the host country.  And even when doing evangelism, often places would be selected where the national church was already making significant inroads and foreigners simply slowed down the work.  

What she saw as most helpful were those missionaries, residential and non-residential, who sought to understand the context and were willing to do whatever it would take to move the mission forward.  Sometimes this might involve ministering together, or sharing resources; at other times it might involve training or coaching.  The real list could be quite lengthy and costly.  But it would always involve a genuine relationship and partnering together in prayer and long-term strategic thinking together about what could best be done together.

The Even Better Future

That was an eye-opening evening hearing straight talk from someone we loved and whom we knew loved us.  And it was also helpful for her to hear our perspective, Gospel hopes and commitment to grow and learn together as we moved forward in ministry together.  

Making such conversations part of planning with our partners will lead to greater effectiveness and the development of longer-lasting partnerships with purpose.

It is all about gaining a better understanding of what would be most helpful in a specific ministry environment at any given time.  We need teams that move the ball down the field.  We need to fit into the vision.  We need to move with purpose.  We need to live with intention.  We need to measure effectiveness.  We need to get honest input from national partners for improvements.  My friend was right, it really does all boil down to the question, “why did you come here?”  

May we continue to think, plan and work strategically in terms of more powerful helpfulness to the mission and service to our friends and partners.