In the most recent issue of Missiology: An International Review, there is an interesting report on short-term missions entitled, “They See Everything, and Understand Nothing.” It’s estimated that over 1.5 million U.S. Christians travel abroad every year on short-term missions trips, primarily teenagers and young adults. This survey of STMs is unique in that it focuses on seminaries and their STM programs. I will only highlight the findings of this survey in this blog, but encourage those who want to know the details to get the January 2008 issue of Missiology.1. Number of STM abroad taken by MDiv students: None 49%, One 22%, Two 10%, Three or more 19%.
2. Length of STM abroad: 10-14 days 34%, 7-9 days 27%.
3. Cost of STM trips: $501-$1,000 23%; $1,001-$1,500 19%.
4. Portion of Cost Paid by self and/or parent: 0-10% 37%, 91-100% 19%.
5. Month of Departure: June 27%; July 25%.
6. Size of Group of STM: 11-15 22%, 6-10 17%.
7. National Language of STM Trip Country: Spanish 57%, Non-Spanish 43%.
8. Top 10 STM Destinations: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, China, Peru.
I’m interested especially in point # 4 as it reveals that most of the money raised for the trip is through support raising outside the person or family. Point #8 is interesting as well, that most trips are, for the most part, in the Americas. What does these statistics say to you?
5 comments:
Richard,
Canada!?! Do they go to French speaking Providences for a “foreign/overseas” experience? Out of the countries listed, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru and perhaps China, do not sound like popular tourist destinations. On one hand, I’m sure it is hard to balance cost [though I wryly note the majority do not pay their own way], interest, safety and accessibility in order to have a STM trip. But on the other hand, I think your post might be titled Dreadful Missiology Part II.
What the stats say to me is: comfort and convenience is more important than experience and knowledge. Fortunately not all STMs fit the listed stats, in as much as our daughter Hilary went on two STMs while she was in college. One was to Northern India the other to Nicaragua. Though they aren’t on the list, I believe the biggest difference of her life-changing trips STMs was hers were run by organizations that did not place comfort and convenience as the foundation of the STM. I think the stats say one more thing to me: a “current and up-to-date” Missions Program is not just desirable, but an essential core part of ANY Christian’s life.
Bill
Bill,
I haven't been to Guatemala or Honduras, but I hear they are beautiful countries and, of course, inexpensive to visit. Most STMs raise money from family and friends, sometimes it is a part of the church mission budget. With the competition for scarce mission dollars, this makes it tough for people trying to raise money for the long-haul.
I agree with your comment that STM should be up-to-date and current.
re "8. Top 10 STM Destinations: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Canada, Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, United Kingdom, Costa Rica, China, Peru."
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On the website www.ShortTermMissions.com, the ten most searched for countries for mission trips during Spring 2007, in order of frequency, were the US, Mexico, India, China, Kenya, Australia, Uganda, Costa Rica, South Africa, Brazil. Mexico is close and inexpensive.
To see what kinds of ministries people were looking for, and lengths of trips desired, etc, see the full report at www.mdat.org/reports/2007_stm_reports.pdf
Re Canada, Vancouver BC has ethnic ministries to all kinds of Asian groups, plus there are outreach ministries to the Native North Americans as well. And Muslim outreach in Toronto. Both are very internationalized cities.
Hmm... let's see..
$1,000 (avg cost of STM trip)
X 15 (people in a group)
__________
$15,000 (total dollars)
What could a national missionary do with that? (rhetorical question)
Sometimes I weary reading your blogs as they just open up too many things to think on; however, I'd hate it if you didn't write and the challenge wasn't there.
Any suggestions on how to teach the next generation of kids to be missionaries?
Lorna
Lorna,
Good question that needs to be asked, but another question should be asked as well: Would that $15,000 have been given to anything other than the person going on that STM?
I think the answer is: No!
It is easy to bemoan the shrinking funds available going to long-term missionary support, but it is eaqually true that long-term commitment to going is shrinking as well.
I do not see support for STM's and vocational/long-term missionaries as either/or. I think it is both/and. Jesus said a large part of compassion and action is the result of seeing (hearing/feeling/being there could be added).
STM's are present reality. The goal is to leverage that into longterm praying, giving, sending, and going. It is possible and doable.
Chris
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