Comments on: The Ethics of Observation http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2009/06/15/the-ethics-of-observation/ Let's give the Commission back to the church. Sat, 10 Dec 2011 07:48:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: stepchild http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2009/06/15/the-ethics-of-observation/comment-page-1/#comment-6090 stepchild Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:23:02 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/?p=319#comment-6090 Jill, I do, in fact, have specific examples of consumeristic missions and the effect on those ministries, but I'd rather not give them here. It makes sense that missionaries, especially those who are struggling financially, would look for ways to compete effectively for the attention (and money!) of potential supporters. Oftentimes, they set up tours or "vision trips" to help people catch the vision. They don't intend to sell out their people group as a side show, but that sometimes can happen. I want to be clear- not all mission trips or vision trips are consumeristic. People need to know what's happening in other countries, and they need to know how their money is being spent. I believe in short-term missions. I know what you mean about "Christmas Duty." We need to fight consumerism, I'm just not sure how best to do that. Jill,
I do, in fact, have specific examples of consumeristic missions and the effect on those ministries, but I’d rather not give them here. It makes sense that missionaries, especially those who are struggling financially, would look for ways to compete effectively for the attention (and money!) of potential supporters. Oftentimes, they set up tours or “vision trips” to help people catch the vision. They don’t intend to sell out their people group as a side show, but that sometimes can happen.

I want to be clear- not all mission trips or vision trips are consumeristic. People need to know what’s happening in other countries, and they need to know how their money is being spent. I believe in short-term missions.

I know what you mean about “Christmas Duty.” We need to fight consumerism, I’m just not sure how best to do that.

]]> By: Jill http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2009/06/15/the-ethics-of-observation/comment-page-1/#comment-6078 Jill Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:13:35 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/?p=319#comment-6078 Amen. Thanks for this. I'm also concerned that the North American church is participating in this "consummerism". Would you have specific examples to share with us? Have you actually witnessed what you are talking about here or do you just see the danger ahead based on other decisions churches are making?? It is so easy to jump on the bandwagon. I was just discussing with my husband about how our church got super excited about Advent Conspiracy and gave a lot (for our little church) to Living Water International. Now we are wondering if it was our "Christmas Duty" and now all will be forgotten until next Christmas. We were made aware of the project and felt compelled to do something because of the "marketing". I'm wondering about all that too. Now we market missions. Well, I'm off to look for the next cool thing we can get involved in! :) Amen. Thanks for this.

I’m also concerned that the North American church is participating in this “consummerism”. Would you have specific examples to share with us? Have you actually witnessed what you are talking about here or do you just see the danger ahead based on other decisions churches are making??

It is so easy to jump on the bandwagon. I was just discussing with my husband about how our church got super excited about Advent Conspiracy and gave a lot (for our little church) to Living Water International. Now we are wondering if it was our “Christmas Duty” and now all will be forgotten until next Christmas. We were made aware of the project and felt compelled to do something because of the “marketing”. I’m wondering about all that too. Now we market missions.

Well, I’m off to look for the next cool thing we can get involved in! :)

]]> By: Jeff http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2009/06/15/the-ethics-of-observation/comment-page-1/#comment-6017 Jeff Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:44:39 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/?p=319#comment-6017 Amen! This post deserves a Pulitzer or whatever the blog equivalent is! Amen! This post deserves a Pulitzer or whatever the blog equivalent is!

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