i don’t know about you, but i started two or three years ago to stop calling our youth short term mission trips.. "mission trips".. the idea that being missional is not a trip but a lifestyle. so we call them, or try to start the shift of calling them, mission experiences. it may be silly, but i like the idea of experiencing an intense life of missions for a short term where we experience relationship, work, outreach, pushing our own limits.. with the hope of developing a missional life.
one of the feature videos this week at work of the people is naming them "friendship trips".. i can like that too
A friend of mine’s church changed the name of their international trips from “mission trips” to “global engagement” trips to reflect more accurately the nature of their trip–working alongside churches in the places they went (last summer they went to Rwanda) as well as a little touring to learn about the country they visit. For trips out of country, this seems more accurate b/c of the presence of the church in those places and to differentiate from a patronizing posture on the part of the Western church to the Global South church.
Don’t know how that might translate to stuff in-country, but I like it for international work.
A friend of mine’s church changed the name of their international trips from “mission trips” to “global engagement” trips to reflect more accurately the nature of their trip–working alongside churches in the places they went (last summer they went to Rwanda) as well as a little touring to learn about the country they visit. For trips out of country, this seems more accurate b/c of the presence of the church in those places and to differentiate from a patronizing posture on the part of the Western church to the Global South church.
Don’t know how that might translate to stuff in-country, but I like it for international work.
Gavin – I think that this is an outstanding change in language. I think that the use of language is an important part of how the life of a community is shaped – it can be subtle, but over time influential. A danger is that over time a change in language does not lead to a change in behavior.
What has been the response from the change?
Gavin – I think that this is an outstanding change in language. I think that the use of language is an important part of how the life of a community is shaped – it can be subtle, but over time influential. A danger is that over time a change in language does not lead to a change in behavior.
What has been the response from the change?
guy, that is a good name. i’d agree, wonder what a similar change might look like for a more local mission.
andrew, i have pushed for numerous language changes. we call our volunteers with the youth “youth ministers” ala. the priesthood of all believers. plus we ask more than just volunteering, there is a relationship investment. that one is slowly taking hold. so though i have changed our language in publication and how i speak in regards to mission trips/experiences i do press the issue on that one (ie. correct people). i will tell people why i have changed the names, but it is the subtle continued use that hope people will start to be reshaped.
guy, that is a good name. i’d agree, wonder what a similar change might look like for a more local mission.
andrew, i have pushed for numerous language changes. we call our volunteers with the youth “youth ministers” ala. the priesthood of all believers. plus we ask more than just volunteering, there is a relationship investment. that one is slowly taking hold. so though i have changed our language in publication and how i speak in regards to mission trips/experiences i do press the issue on that one (ie. correct people). i will tell people why i have changed the names, but it is the subtle continued use that hope people will start to be reshaped.
Gavin – Thanks for the update. I appreciate, youth ministers as well. That is great. I think that you are right on here – a continued reminder and constant practice will help to shape the environment.
Gavin – Thanks for the update. I appreciate, youth ministers as well. That is great. I think that you are right on here – a continued reminder and constant practice will help to shape the environment.