Pros/Cons of Ch:na Short-term Missions

Pros:

(1) As a short-termer, you can share the Gospel without worrying that you might get kicked out of the country. If they kick you out, it’s no big deal because you were heading home soon anyways.

(2) As a short-termer carrying a tourist visa, you can pretty much go anywhere you want under the guise of tourism, and share the Gospel in places where no long-termer will every be able to live.

(3) As a short-termer, you can share the Gospel much more boldly than long-term workers. That is because you don’t have to worry about the danger of being labeled as a Christian missionary. Those who live long-term in country can and do share the Gospel, but often in a much more relational way as opposed to boldly sharing, as we see so much in the book of Acts.

(4) As a short-termer, you can help infuse passion into the lives of many long-term workers who have become complacent or gotten gun-shy in regards to sharing the Gospel. It is easy for those who have lived long inside a restricted nation to begin to restrict themselves in their sharing of the Gospel, instead of always pushing the limits and doing all that they can to save some. You can help them by being passionate and compassionate towards the unreached people you meet.

Cons:

(1) As a short-termer, you do not speak the primary language of the people. Therefore, you are limited to sharing the Gospel with those who speak fluent English. This is a huge handicap, because it only allows you to share with a tiny percentage of the population. Also, it is too dangerous to use a translator. If he/she is a Christian, it puts them in much danger. If not, then it puts you in immediate danger of being forced to leave.

(2) As a short-termer, if you have any contact whatsoever with local Christians or long-term missionaries, you put them in much danger by sharing the Gospel. So you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you share, you can get your contacts in trouble (if they are locals, they can be thrown in prison!), but if you don’t share the Gospel, then what is the point of coming in the first place?

(3) As a short-termer, you lack much knowledge of the customs and the way that the locals think about and react to life. Be sure that the Gospel is relevant to each and every person. We all need God’s forgiveness. However, you are more likely to come across as rude or ignorant as a short-termer than one who has lived many years inside the country.

(4) As a short-termer, you lack the opportunity to witness through your daily life. The locals will see you as a rich tourist and not much more. Long-termers have the opportunity to work and/or study alongside the locals for extended periods of time and to show them through their lives AND their witness what it is like to know Jesus Christ.