by Sean Marsten
Consider the following idea from a young person interested in overseas missions: “Maybe there would be merit in removing the categorical labels of ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ and instead embracing those who are interested and committed, and giving them tools to help them on whatever journey they are going.”
Consider the following idea from a young person interested in overseas missions: “Maybe there would be merit in removing the categorical labels of ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ and instead embracing those who are interested and committed, and giving them tools to help them on whatever journey they are going.”
These comments reflect a growing struggle of many younger people who have an interest and passion for overseas mission work but cannot seem to fit their journey into present structures of overseas mission agencies. Within mission agencies it is generally viewed that people fit into either short-term or long-term missions focuses. In most agencies there is no middle ground; therefore, even if you have participated in five short-term mission trips, you are still considered a short-term missionary. However, we need to look at the developing middle ground in overseas missions.
Mission agencies need to start recognizing and developing programs for people in “middle mission,” individuals who are somewhere between short and long-term commitments. Many people today (most under the age of thirty) have done several short-term mission trips but are not in a position to make a long-term commitment. Perhaps their commitment to overseas missions is no less than someone who is heading out to the field long-term, but circumstances simply prevent them from going at this time. They want to be committed to overseas missions but need guidance to make their desire a reality.
Twenty years ago if an individual was committed to long-term missions they would most likely carry a mission ethos developed over many years. Mission was more central to the life of the Church. There were events, books and speakers to disciple them in their mission journey.
Today, emerging generations are not motivated by the same tools as previous generations. We need to recognize this and look at new ways to motivate people towards mission. However, overseas mission agencies continue to act as they always have and continue to believe that if a person has a heart for missions, that desire will be nurtured by the things around them. Many organizations hope that people will suddenly be ready for long-term missions with little support and encouragement.
Although mission agencies do not articulate this belief, they express it by their limited attempt to disciple people into long-term missions. A middle ground in missions (middle mission) needs to be recognized so that younger people on their mission journey may have their own forms of support and encouragement. Times are different and we need to help individuals get to the mission field by using different tools.
WHAT IS A MIDDLE MISSION PERSON?
The rough profile of a middle mission person is as follows:
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—Between twenty and thirty years of age
—Finishing or has finished a university or technical institute degree program
—Has done at least one short-term mission trip
—Is looking for more overseas experience but may not have the means to accomplish that goal at this time
—Is paying off student loans
—Is gaining practical experience in his or her chosen career which can be used on the mission field
—Has not completed Bible college training
The hardest thing, however, is that many are on this journey by themselves. In an ever-changing world where overseas mission work is atypical, friends and church family may not understand the individual’s passion for reaching out to those in need. The following are three examples of young people who fit the above profile (names changed for privacy).
Mike has taken three short-term mission trips and is currently com-pleting his university degree. He has been living away from home and, because his parents have supported him, he has no student loans. Although he has a genuine desire for long-term missions, he does not envision this happening in the near future. Mike is interested in how he can keep moving towards long-term missions while finishing off the work (gain practical experience, Bible courses, etc…) needed to lead him towards his goal.
William is a medical student. He has one more year of medical school and wants to use his medical skills to serve God full-time overseas. He is very passionate and open about his faith. William spent a year in Bolivia where he made significant contacts and learned semi-fluent Spanish. He has a significant student loan to pay off which will take time to reduce. He acknowledges he needs practical experience before he goes to the mission field and wants to take Bible training but does not know when or how that will happen.
Anna has been teaching for three years and has just about paid off her student loan. She hasn’t had Bible college training. Although she has a heart for long-term missions, Anna lives in a small town where she doesn’t have much support from family and friends. She is having a hard time understanding how her desire to serve overseas will be fulfilled.
These are just three of the young people I know who are trying to figure out their mission journey. They have many questions and uncertainties—and all have hurdles and need help in persevering down the path of long-term missions.
SIX CHARACTERISTICS OF A MIDDLE MISSIONS PERSON
1. Experientially-focused. Because this is an experiential generation, many learn and grow best from personally experiencing things. Each needs a way to practically work out their calling and mission passion, which will, in turn, fuel their desire to keep moving in their missions goal. This is one reason why short-term missions have grown so dramatically in the last ten years. Individuals who are unable to do anything about their dream to serve overseas may become frustrated. We must ask how to incorporate mission experiences into a middle mission structure that doesn’t involve sending people on another short-term mission.
2. Relationally-focused. Many are committed to relationships before they are committed to organizations. Thirty years ago people were committed to the mission agency first, to the long or short-term program second and to the mission agency staff last. Today this order of commitment has reversed.
3. Freedom-focused. Although desiring the structure of and commitment to a mission agency, many do not want to be tied down to a particular structure or commitment. The two sides therefore must be held in tension. Individuals want to feel important and want to be held accountable, but may not want to feel tied down. As one young person said, “I think we want to be seen as people in our own right, not just as possible missionaries.”
4. Intentionally-focused. Much of today’s Christian walk requires very little from people, and there is a growing desire to have intentionality. The Christian journey has been made easier by certain doctrines in the church today, yet there is little commitment, and when that happens it is easier for things to have little meaning to individuals. With no intentional commitment or requirement to a missions journey, there is little reason for people to follow through. In middle missions there needs to be an agreement from both the mission agency and the individual to be intentional in pursuing the final goal.
5. Holistically-focused. Younger people see mission as being holistic. They even see their whole life as a mission, whether overseas or in their home country. There must be a connection between what they might do overseas and what they do at home. Individuals want to be successful in terms of family, social and work relationships after returning from the overseas mission field. Today, there is more focus on career development so that individuals going overseas will also be able to easily integrate into the workforce. Their desire may be that what they have done overseas will somehow build on employment prospects back in their home country.
6. Educationally-focused. Many are unsure about the need for and the expense of (financial and time-wise) attending some type of Bible training. Much of this uncertainty is due to a lack of understanding of how this training will help in longer-term mission.
TOOLS FOR MIDDLE MISSION
What are some tools that will help in developing a middle mission program? Here are six suggestions.
1. Mentoring system. Ultimately the key to helping people on their mission journey is relationships. As with much of Christian ministry, one can have the right programs and procedures, but without relationship, there is nothing to stand on. This type of intentional relationship is called mentoring. For a young person, mentoring is a journey of self-discovery and allows the young person the opportunity to work out what they think and why they think it. A mentor provides tools, insight and reflection on what the young person is expressing. Simultaneously, the young person senses that someone is concerned about them and their journey.
2. Ongoing experience. If much of this generation learns and grows from experience, there needs to be ways for the individual to experience mission that do not necessarily consist of another short-term mission trip. They need to have opportunities to explore mission views and actions while also allowing them a chance to share personal stories and passions. This will help solidify these views and passions in their own lives. I am always encouraged by how much I see individuals come alive and become more confident in what they believe when they have the opportunity to talk to other young people about missions.
3. Loose affiliation to an agency. Young persons must be affiliated with an agency where they get a sense that people are committed to them and their mission journey. This also gives the young person a certain level of accountability to the agency. People in middle mission often question how they will get from their present situation to serving overseas. They need the opportunity to ask questions and get direction and clarity, while not feeling pressured to fit into a particular system. When agencies offer support without any strings attached, the middle mission person will be more likely to commit themselves to that agency. The contact person at the agency must be comfortable in encouraging individuals on their mission journey. The focus must be on the relationship with the middle mission person and their journey, rather than on getting the person to commit to the organization.
4. Developing a mission track. As Christians, each of us understands that we are on a spiritual journey where we are seeking to grow in our walk of faith. We want to become more like Christ. This is a process that takes years, and in fact, will never end. In the same way, we are all on a mission journey, seeking to understand and practice a deeper mission ethos. Developing a mission track requires direction that moves people forward. This track must be agreed upon between the individual and the mission agency. If they are not structured and agreed upon, most likely nothing much will change.
5. Church internship. Churches are often in a better position than mission agencies to have regular contact with a young person interested in overseas missions. Churches (in partnership with mission agencies) can become a place for training and support either on an official or an unofficial basis. An intern program could be established either in the young person’s home church or in a neighboring church. It could be either full or part-time and could involve study at a Bible college, promotion of mission, connection with an ethnic program, language learning and social outreaches.
6. Individual middle-term placement (one to two years). For many younger people, the idea of a four- to ten-year commitment is not feasible. Many are only thinking about the next year or two and any plans reaching farther than that may lead to fear. Focusing on a one to two-year individual placement as a middle step to long-term missions helps individuals make the transition in their minds. The person is able to move beyond the short-term experience into a place where the person is making a significant contribution both to a mission situation and to their own development. This is a win/win situation for the mission agency and the individual.
People doing a one- to two-year placement experience issues similar to that of a long-term mission commitment. First, they must raise support like a long-term missionary. Second, they must live in a different country and learn cultural details such as language and how to respond to people of different faiths. Third, they will begin to see the need for Bible college training. Their choice will be based on personal experience and how they have seen mission in action (rather than simply being told they have to do it).
SIGNIFICANCE FOR MISSION AGENCIES
What then is the significance for mission agencies? Five realities are:
1. Long-term missionaries do not just knock on mission agency doors as they once did. Some do, but this is rare. Mission agencies need to be proactive in targeting and attracting potential mission candidates through middle term programs.
2. Mission-motivating tools and opportunities, while available, are not as effective in this generation as they have been in previous generations.
3. Mission agencies need to consider everyone going out as general missionaries, rather than labeling them short or long-term. This helps create a better sense of “people on a journey,” rather than promoting the image of two defined and separate stops on the journey.
4. Mission agencies understand the importance of short-term mission to long-term commitment but seem to be doing little to move people from one area to another. Agencies need to help individuals in their mission journey, rather than hope it will automatically happen.
5. People with long-term mission potential need someone to come alongside them. This requires the right type of mission agency staff in regard to age and skill.
Ultimately middle mission is about being willing to journey with people on a long-term basis. This commitment may not show fruit for five to ten years (in terms of long-term commitments) but will be worth the investment in the long run.
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Sean Marston is Short-term Mission and Communications Coordinator for Serving in Mission (SIM) New Zealand. He has been involved with mobilizing young people for mission for twelve years.
