U.S. Christians Embrace Vacation-Mission Trip

Blacksho89 »

Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:49 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

prespilot68:
You are absolutely correct. If a person cannot commit seven years of hardship in a foreign land, they should stay home and do nothing instead. It is the true Christian way.
Forgive me for the sarcasm, but I use it to make the point that you are being a bit "holier than thou", the sin of the Pharisees.
The purpose of a mission is in the heart of the missionary, not the length of time. What is time to God?

canadianchristian »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 4:02 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

prespilot68,

thank you for clarifying and explaining your position, it is a shame for the things you described to be happening and it should not be so, my point was that only GOD can know what's in our hearts,thank you for your comments,
canadianchristian.

canadianchristian »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:56 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

terriergal,

I agree with you that GOD can and will use unbeleivers to further HIS purpose, and I will not insult you by saying you're points are irrelevant. My point to prespilot68 is that he should not stand in judgement when he does'nt know other people's circumstances,and you appear to be doing the same thing as him if I read your comment's correctly.I sincerely urge you both to pray for the wisdom and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT in this matter as it appears that you are bearing false witness, Praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

prespilot68 »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 3:43 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 1

canadianchristian

I think I can back it up. My wife was a missions coordinator for several years and I have personally seen what happens with this type of ministry (another one of the reasons we left the corporate church a few years ago and started a home church). What we found was most people who went on these so called missions, did not go to reach the lost, but rather they went for themselves. It was so they could have some sort of a "Christian experience" or to tell their friends and families they did something for God. Sadly, very few people if any were ever saved on these trips (for one most who go on these trips barely know the gospel themselves, let alone be able to logically explain it to a foreigner!). We did missions in the Bahama's and if you go to those same places today the people there have been impacted very little spiritually - yes their houses were fixed and we handed out clothes & food, but we are called to do much more as Christians - we are to reach the lost! Granted good works is fine, but even the secular does that! Besides, when we speak into the lives of other people (especially strangers in a foreign land) we must first gain the right and the privilege to do so - this can take months even years. So often as American and as Christians we think we can show up like Johnny on the spot and get "pelts under our belts" and think that's all there is to it. Instead, true missionaries go and live among the people for years - so they can gain the right and the privilege to speak into their lives. This "Vacation" approach is rather arrogant and rather senseless.

terriergal »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:54 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 2

canadianchristian, even unbelievers are used of God to further his purposes. Your point is irrelevant. If CHristians are looking at this as a 'vacation' they should not go. Why don't they devote a few YEARS of their life to this work?

canadianchristian »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:13 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

prespilot68,

did you read the same article as I did? Who are you to judge wether or not these people are being used by the LORD to do HIS will? I don't know where you draw your conclusions from-if you are going to criticize them give us something to back it up or stop bearing false witness.How would you know wether or not these people do/don't share their faith at home already? Are you GOD? If just one person is reached and makes a heartfelt committment to CHRIST it will be worth it, let the seed of GOD'S word be sown and let the watering be from the HOLY SPIRIT!!!

prespilot68 »

Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:29 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

This is just another sign of a weak and feeble church. "Vacation Missions" is just that - a vacation! These trips are not really to benefit the people of the countries their visiting, but is just another device by which people satiate their conscience for a week or so and they can come back home to their churches and say they have done their "Christian duty" for the year. Why do people feel as if they have to go to a foreign country for a week or two? Why not their own neighborhoods, their office or workplace? Because in the end it cost them very little. No one knows them at these countries and they can hide behind the mask of anonymity. Ask these same people to go to their neighbor or co-worker and share the gospel and see how willing they are to go to THAT mission field.

aritonang »

Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:41 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 0

From Indonesia,

This sentence says it all: short-termers do not have much impact on missions, but can benefit personally in faith from the experience
The Lord do work in mysterious ways.
Balance would be the correct word for Mission directors.

Personally seeing US Christians working short term for mission in 2004 Tsunami Aceh and Muangthai, I have only short comments for these guys.

Thank you very much, you guys are absolutely brilliant.