I'm Just Wondering...
Does short term mission participation encourage long-term mission service???
This is an important questin to peel apart, because soooo many pastors and short-term mission agencies put out as intuitively true that short-term mission involvement will spark long-term mission committment.
In other words, the hypothesis of Christian leaders is that short-term mission involvement will result in persons making long-term mission committments.
This means that an increase in the number of people involved in short-term missions should correspond with an increase in persons serving in long-term mission positions.
This data analysis tried to look hard at international-only situations: "domestic missionaries" (people calling themselves missionaries while working and living in the West and working in the West were considered as domestic church workers and not international missionaries).
I decided to peel apart the data on this question.
First, is there data? Yes. Tons.
Why data? Well, any intuitive assumption, regardless of theology, should be able to hold up to scrutiny.
("Reality is what's left over after you stop believing..." Philip K Dick, sci-fi author)
The Journal of Christian Nursing will be publishing a data-driven article I wrote about short-term health care missions. I looked at short-term missions by the numbers.
They didn't look so good.
Here's the data:
Short-term mission involvement (mostly defined as activity of less than 30 days in country) went from
540 participants in 1965
120,000 participants in 1989
>500,000 participants in 1998
2,500,000 participants in 2003
2,800,00 participants in 2005 (estimated)
(Sources: Loobie, 2000; Honig, 2005)
Meanwhile, during the period of 1988 to 2005, the number of full-time, internationally-serving missionaries from the West decreased from 65,000 persons to 35,000... a 47% reduction over the same time-period.
(Source: Lucas, Sterns & Sterns, 2006)
Analysis of the data:
120,000 short-term participants in 1989 compared to 65,000 full-time international missionaries in 1988 means a 1.8 to 1 ratio of short-term to full-time.
2,800,00 short-term participants in 2005 (estimated) compared to 35,000 full-time international missionaries in 2005 means a 80 to 1 ratio of short-term to full-time.
Analysis of the hypothesis that "short term mission participation encourages long-term mission service" is not, in any way supported by the data or statistical facts.
Actually, these are opposing curves of information: Short-term is exponentially increasing, while full-time missionary service is on a clear linear decline. The group comparison ratios are strongly disparate.
Summary: "Short term mission participation encourage long-term mission service", by any measurable trends or data is NOT generally true.
Discussion: Yes, I have been personally involved in a three cases where the person considering full-time work did go out on a short-term trip to 'try it on'... but they went already primed for mission service, and the short-term trip was a further step towards those pre-trip intentions.
I have not personally seen somebody NOT interested in missions go on a short-term trip and find themselves serving full-time at a later time.
Reflecting on the classic mission writers of the 1800's, where there was no such thinkg as 'short-term', the missionaries produced on a 'sight-unseen' basis seems to have a different preparational dynamic. I'd love to know Willima Carey's take on this data and the 'short-term paradigm'.
Closing: Ouch! It hurts when something we assume does not hold up to scrutiny. I would like to hold that God is a God of reality, not assumption. Francis Schaeffer, when I heard him speak in the 1970's, said "all truth is God's truth, and we need not be afraid of the truth".
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The article to be published in the Journal of Christian Nursing Summer 2009 issue is titled
"Evaluating short-term missions: How can we improve?" by Christopher Bajkiewicz.
I'll post when it's out. Sorry, because of copyright agreements I signed, I can't post a version of the article.
Friday, February 27, 2009
CompassionArt
Just tripped into a great worship+social justice project
CompassionArt
Martin Smith from Delirious? brought a couple dozen major worship songwriter-leader type peeps together in Scotland on this theme... and the first CompassionArt recording just came out.
The artists are a 'who's who' of modern worship recordings...
Besides some amazing music, the theme of God's concern for the poor and social justice is a major arch.
They are also trying to launch it as a long-term project
visit compassionart.tv for more info
CompassionArt
Martin Smith from Delirious? brought a couple dozen major worship songwriter-leader type peeps together in Scotland on this theme... and the first CompassionArt recording just came out.
The artists are a 'who's who' of modern worship recordings...
Besides some amazing music, the theme of God's concern for the poor and social justice is a major arch.
They are also trying to launch it as a long-term project
visit compassionart.tv for more info
Thursday, February 26, 2009
What is the purpose of the Church... pastors vs congregants
I'm Just Wondering....
Within the modern American church...regarding the concept of "What is the Purpose of the Church"
Here's the thing I tripped into... the article didn't quote the hard source, so I'll take this one with a grain of salt... but it feels pretty close to my experience...
(if anybody has the source.... chris@bajmission.com please)
There were 100 pastors and 100 congregants in various areas of America asked the question,
"What is the purpose of the Church?"
Over 90% of the pastors said that the purpose of the church was to preach the Gospel, proclaim Christ to the world, and for the members of the church to reach out and give to those in need.
On the other hand, reportedly over 90% of the congregants asked the same question responded that the purpose of the church is to meet their spiritual needs, provide a place for their families and children to come together, and to help them meet their need for fellowship and material security.
I'm just wondering... what do we do with this complete disconnnect???
Crisbaj
Within the modern American church...regarding the concept of "What is the Purpose of the Church"
Here's the thing I tripped into... the article didn't quote the hard source, so I'll take this one with a grain of salt... but it feels pretty close to my experience...
(if anybody has the source.... chris@bajmission.com please)
There were 100 pastors and 100 congregants in various areas of America asked the question,
"What is the purpose of the Church?"
Over 90% of the pastors said that the purpose of the church was to preach the Gospel, proclaim Christ to the world, and for the members of the church to reach out and give to those in need.
On the other hand, reportedly over 90% of the congregants asked the same question responded that the purpose of the church is to meet their spiritual needs, provide a place for their families and children to come together, and to help them meet their need for fellowship and material security.
I'm just wondering... what do we do with this complete disconnnect???
Crisbaj
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Where Are They?? Blurb #1 Are they hiding amongst us??
OK... I'm Just Wondering...
all those people that Jesus healed in the New Testament... all those blind and deaf and leprosy victims and lame that the living, breathing Jesus touched and healed while He was living here on the planet... exactly as recorded in the books of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John...
where are they now??
This question... well, is driving me a bit buggy. WHERE ARE THEY???
This is not a trick question.
This bit of a Blog is going to span over a great distance of time and words. I'm kicking around writing a new book on this one. This is the first blurb.
Where are they? Are they all alive, hiding in a cave somewhere in the Middle East? Are they dispersed among the peoples of the world, walking around Caracas and Cairo and Mumbay and New York city? Are they ducking around, trying to stay 'under the radar' and not be found out by the 'fountain of youth' seekers?? Are they conducting themselves as a secretive society, meeting in caves and hidden locations??
Are the 'healed of Jesus in 25 AD' hiding amongst us... ???
This is not a nutty question... I mean, they were actually touched and healed by Jesus directly... no?? Their healings and restorations are documented in the Scriptures!
Imagine that... actually touched by Jesus! Their healing must mean something special.... no??
What about Lazarus? He was peeled away from the grave... raised from the dead! Is he now living in Berlin or Moscow or Lagos, running some top-secret world-wide network of 'the healed'?? Has he outlived a couple dozen wives, hiding his identity of the real Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus of Nazareth??
Yeah, this sounds a bit like some sci-fi, X-Files-Lost-Fringe insanity. Something for some wild hollywood (or Baliwood?) crew to be shooting...
Why am I wondering about this?? OK, if you think about this... it means alot to the topic of Divine Healing, and the whole stew-mess we currently have in and out of the Church regarding the Ways of God in Healing...
Insane for now... will make perfect sense in a dozen Blogs form now...
Next Blog : The questions of today are not "can God heal?" or "does God heal?", but... !!
all those people that Jesus healed in the New Testament... all those blind and deaf and leprosy victims and lame that the living, breathing Jesus touched and healed while He was living here on the planet... exactly as recorded in the books of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John...
where are they now??
This question... well, is driving me a bit buggy. WHERE ARE THEY???
This is not a trick question.
This bit of a Blog is going to span over a great distance of time and words. I'm kicking around writing a new book on this one. This is the first blurb.
Where are they? Are they all alive, hiding in a cave somewhere in the Middle East? Are they dispersed among the peoples of the world, walking around Caracas and Cairo and Mumbay and New York city? Are they ducking around, trying to stay 'under the radar' and not be found out by the 'fountain of youth' seekers?? Are they conducting themselves as a secretive society, meeting in caves and hidden locations??
Are the 'healed of Jesus in 25 AD' hiding amongst us... ???
This is not a nutty question... I mean, they were actually touched and healed by Jesus directly... no?? Their healings and restorations are documented in the Scriptures!
Imagine that... actually touched by Jesus! Their healing must mean something special.... no??
What about Lazarus? He was peeled away from the grave... raised from the dead! Is he now living in Berlin or Moscow or Lagos, running some top-secret world-wide network of 'the healed'?? Has he outlived a couple dozen wives, hiding his identity of the real Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus of Nazareth??
Yeah, this sounds a bit like some sci-fi, X-Files-Lost-Fringe insanity. Something for some wild hollywood (or Baliwood?) crew to be shooting...
Why am I wondering about this?? OK, if you think about this... it means alot to the topic of Divine Healing, and the whole stew-mess we currently have in and out of the Church regarding the Ways of God in Healing...
Insane for now... will make perfect sense in a dozen Blogs form now...
Next Blog : The questions of today are not "can God heal?" or "does God heal?", but... !!
When the Saints go home... why all the sour grapes?
24 Feb
I'm Just Wondering...
why, when a true saint of God, who has lived their life in the hope of Heaven and the reality of the Kingdom and looking forward to the end-point of this life... to see the veil peel away and finally see Jesus face-to-face... why, when that saint's body gives out on this planet and they die...
why do so many self-proclaimed 'Christians' still here on the planet turn into sour grapes over that 'home-going'?
OK... in the past year, I have expereinced a couple of 'home-goings' of friends and acquaintences... they died... but I knew them pretty well, and I am nothing but confident that they are now dancing in the Presence...
These are not in isolation.
... meanwhile, their spouses and kids and friends act like God murdered their loved one, and how dare He do such a hateful thing??? The say "oh, yes, he's with the Lord"... but their entire life is all sour grapes, they scowl and moap, they go on and on about "I don't understand..."
I'm just wondering... why has the Church produced a crop of sour grape people who have no joy in the home-going of a loved one??? If living here is a preparation to live with God forever, and somebody lives like that... wow!
In my line of work, which is health care, the really bad way that MOST 'Christians' act over critical illness and death in the life of a spouse, parent or family member... well, most doctors and nurses are pretty convinced that Christians don't really believe in God by the way they behave, by the venom and 'you killed my dad, GOD!' attitude that they actually play out... terrible wittness...
I'm Just Wondering if pastors and leaders need to take a different tack with the people we lead... somehow, the current way our congregants see sickness and death is not Biblical, healthy or drawing those far from God towards Him...
Chris
I'm Just Wondering...
why, when a true saint of God, who has lived their life in the hope of Heaven and the reality of the Kingdom and looking forward to the end-point of this life... to see the veil peel away and finally see Jesus face-to-face... why, when that saint's body gives out on this planet and they die...
why do so many self-proclaimed 'Christians' still here on the planet turn into sour grapes over that 'home-going'?
OK... in the past year, I have expereinced a couple of 'home-goings' of friends and acquaintences... they died... but I knew them pretty well, and I am nothing but confident that they are now dancing in the Presence...
These are not in isolation.
... meanwhile, their spouses and kids and friends act like God murdered their loved one, and how dare He do such a hateful thing??? The say "oh, yes, he's with the Lord"... but their entire life is all sour grapes, they scowl and moap, they go on and on about "I don't understand..."
I'm just wondering... why has the Church produced a crop of sour grape people who have no joy in the home-going of a loved one??? If living here is a preparation to live with God forever, and somebody lives like that... wow!
In my line of work, which is health care, the really bad way that MOST 'Christians' act over critical illness and death in the life of a spouse, parent or family member... well, most doctors and nurses are pretty convinced that Christians don't really believe in God by the way they behave, by the venom and 'you killed my dad, GOD!' attitude that they actually play out... terrible wittness...
I'm Just Wondering if pastors and leaders need to take a different tack with the people we lead... somehow, the current way our congregants see sickness and death is not Biblical, healthy or drawing those far from God towards Him...
Chris
U2 - No Line On The Horizon... how do they do it?
I'm Just Wondering...
U2... been making music together since 1977... and now they release the new work
No Line On The Horizon...
Well, you can't buy it until 03 March, but being a long-standing member of the U2 Universe, I am sitting here on 24 Feb listening it streamed on U2.com...
How do they do it??? This is way too cool of a record. Totally off the track from their last 2 records... Pop meets Unforgettable Fire and car-crashes into Yellow Submarine... lush, huge in the headphones, complex, deceptively structured (this is going to take a year to figure out all the underlying rhythms and guitar parts)... "Magnificent" is a total worship tune... there's electronica, funk, garage-band rock...
Yeah, I'm a fan... but why not??? Long live Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry!!
Chris
U2... been making music together since 1977... and now they release the new work
No Line On The Horizon...
Well, you can't buy it until 03 March, but being a long-standing member of the U2 Universe, I am sitting here on 24 Feb listening it streamed on U2.com...
How do they do it??? This is way too cool of a record. Totally off the track from their last 2 records... Pop meets Unforgettable Fire and car-crashes into Yellow Submarine... lush, huge in the headphones, complex, deceptively structured (this is going to take a year to figure out all the underlying rhythms and guitar parts)... "Magnificent" is a total worship tune... there's electronica, funk, garage-band rock...
Yeah, I'm a fan... but why not??? Long live Bono, Edge, Adam and Larry!!
Chris
Friday, February 6, 2009
I'm Just Wondering opener 05Feb09
Opener 5 Feb 09
Well... I've been pining to have an avenue to post some random thoughts and stuff as I trip through a very complicated world now swirling in chaos and confusion.
The New Mellennium has turned into the Great Global Crash... hear we go!
The purpose of "I'm Just Wondering" is not to rant or rave or attack... but to wonder "why we do what we are doing?"... to probe areas of assumption and praxis that may have become "the way it's done" without analysis or discussion of the results and outcomes...
It will look at missions, ministry, music, worship, world affairs, church and the people who call themselves as "Christian".
I'm Just Wondering will strive to ask uncomfortable questions that may not currently have answers.
A few years ago, while on a 'what to do with my life' prayer retreat, I was heavily struck by the following verse:
Isaiah 55
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
Check out verse 2... spending our resources (time, talent and treasure.. and Jack Hayford would say...) on things that do not satisfy... satisfy what? Our real, fundamental needs. The real and fundamental needs of others. Not wants or selfish, sinful desires. Oxygen, protein, light and water.
This blog will be looking for a City... as Hebrews Ch 11 V10 says,
10 ...looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
your pesky traveling companion,
crisbaj
chris@bajmission.com
Well... I've been pining to have an avenue to post some random thoughts and stuff as I trip through a very complicated world now swirling in chaos and confusion.
The New Mellennium has turned into the Great Global Crash... hear we go!
The purpose of "I'm Just Wondering" is not to rant or rave or attack... but to wonder "why we do what we are doing?"... to probe areas of assumption and praxis that may have become "the way it's done" without analysis or discussion of the results and outcomes...
It will look at missions, ministry, music, worship, world affairs, church and the people who call themselves as "Christian".
I'm Just Wondering will strive to ask uncomfortable questions that may not currently have answers.
A few years ago, while on a 'what to do with my life' prayer retreat, I was heavily struck by the following verse:
Isaiah 55
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
Check out verse 2... spending our resources (time, talent and treasure.. and Jack Hayford would say...) on things that do not satisfy... satisfy what? Our real, fundamental needs. The real and fundamental needs of others. Not wants or selfish, sinful desires. Oxygen, protein, light and water.
This blog will be looking for a City... as Hebrews Ch 11 V10 says,
10 ...looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
your pesky traveling companion,
crisbaj
chris@bajmission.com
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