EMQ » April–June 2019 » Volume 55 Issue 2
By Tim Dearborn
InterVarsity Press, 2018
Downers Grove, IL
144 pages
ISBN: 978-0830845460
USD $17.00
Reviewed by Daniel Topf, PhD student at the School of Intercultural Studies (SIS) of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and Regional Mobilizer with World Team.
The purpose of Tim Dearborn’s newly revised and expanded book on short-term missions is to “help individuals and teams make the most of their short-term experience—personally, for those they serve, and for the kingdom” (2).
As the title indicates, this short-term missions workbook is highly practical, designed to help leaders and participants prepare for a fruitful cross-cultural experience. To facilitate learning and spiritual growth, the book’s ten chapters include suggested group activities, questions for reflection and discussion, learning exercises, checklists, and suggested readings. Central to Dearborn’s approach to short-term missions is being a learner, and he especially highlights “Eight Great Questions,” which are introduced in the first chapter and further developed in the last chapter of the book. These eight questions begin with fundamental inquiries like “What can I learn about myself?” and “What can I learn about God?” as well as more specific questions like “What can I learn about a globally appropriate lifestyle?” and “What can I learn about my own vocation?” (8–10, 91–103, 126).
Besides being highly practical, Dearborn’s Short-Term Missions Workbook is also deeply theological, with the author sharing profound insights like, “Walk with humility. Remember you are showing up late to a meeting. God has been at work among these people long before you arrived!” (12) and, “In order to communicate Christ with clarity and conviction, we must know him and be satisfied with him” (50). The book benefits from Dearborn’s many years of experience in ministry and the profound wisdom and humility with which he approaches missions. Dearborn is not afraid to address difficulties and challenges, addressing critical issues such as understanding team dynamics, preparing for spiritual battle, examining our motives, developing a theology of suffering, and dealing with culture fatigue (when entering a new culture) as well as culture grief (after returning home from a mission trip).
In covering missions-related topics with both depth and breadth, this book is an extremely valuable resource for anybody preparing to go on a short-term mission trip, be it as a participant or as the leader of such an endeavor (a leader’s guide covering all ten chapters is included in the appendix). Despite its comprehensive approach, the Short-Term Missions Workbook is to be used in combination with other resources. In the introduction, Dearborn encourages readers to also study his book Beyond Duty: A Passion for Christ, a Heart for Mission (2013) in order to dive deeper into “the spiritual and theological dimensions of our participation in God’s mission in the world” (2). The author acknowledges that “This workbook doesn’t go through the issues of selecting a destination, travel planning, getting immunization, and trip logistics” (3), pointing the reader to other books that have already done an excellent job in covering these topics. By carefully reading Dearborn’s workbook and combining it with other resources, believers will be well equipped to act as responsible global citizens wherever God may send them to serve and learn.
For Further Reading
Corbett, Steve, and Brian Fikkert. Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2014.
Dearborn, Timothy A. Beyond Duty: A Passion for Christ, a Heart for Mission. Rev. ed. Seattle, WA: Dynamis Resources, 2013.
Forward, David C. The Essential Guide to the Short Term Mission Trip. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1998.
