Mission Trips...

This summer we are sending several of our youth on mission trips to Haiti and to Mexico.  There they will encounter a culture that is different from ours, they will experience hardships and joys that might be foreign to their experience, and hopefully they will see Jesus.

I'm aware as we move from the planning to the participation phase of these trips that it is far too easy for our vision to be corrupted.  It is our human nature, even in the most altruistic circumstances, to start thinking about what's in it for me?  For those who have gone before, they want it to be just like last time.  For those who have never gone, they're motivated by the stories of others, and hope for something like that for themselves.  The truth, however, is that it is never the same.  The reality is that   unless we leave our expectations behind we are surely to be disappointed.

This, however, is not simply an issue for those going on a mission trip, but it is what we in the church wrestle with all the time.  If we had a good experience, we want the church to remain unchanged, at least until we become bored with it.  If we had a bad experience we forever judge the church by what occurred.   It is easy to come to church looking for what's in it for me, rather than hoping to be pushed beyond what is comfortable.  As one who works in the church, I must admit, I want people to leave with their expectations exceeded.  I wonder what it would be like if we expected the church to make us upset and angry, and we walked out far more frustrated and upset than we expected?  Does Good News always need to leave us feeling good, or can it be like a mirror before our face questioning our superficiality and challenging us to get just mad enough that we won't sit quietly in the pews?

The world is filled with stories of woe, and if we simply comfort ourselves without being pushed to do more, I believe we have missed the point. Whether we are overseas or close to home, I for one hope the gospel will make us uncomfortable enough that we will not stand on the sidelines any longer.  I hope we all can see ourselves as missionaries.

Peace,
Pal