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.