Sticky Justice
Students listed missions trip and service projects #2 and #3 on the list of what they wanted more of in youth group.
5 out of 6 in the group cap me away from a short time mission trip fairly unchanged.
– Does it matter if they go on more than one trip?
How can we maximize the stickiness of our service?
Book – “When Helping Hurts”
American short term missions spends over $2 billion a year.
1. Why are you going?
– What is the goal?
– Service vs. Justice
– Service is like pouring a glass of clean water. Justice is asking why people don’t have water to begin with and how to change it.
– To reclaim justice = restoring Shalom. Shalom moves past peace. It is the flourishing of someone in every area.
– Restoring dignity to the people we serve.
2. How long do you want the experience to be?
– Instead of thinking about it like a week long trip, could we make it a seven month experience?
– Before (framing beforehand with the group. Prayer. Serve locally.)
– During (Experience and take intentional time for reflection as you are there.)
– After (Initial debrief immediately. Also do ongoing transformation in the months following. Help apply the lessons much later to the day to day life of your students.)
– See it as a process, not an event.
Serving is the most significant and powerful contributor to faith for teenagers and adults. – “Inside Out Families”
JasonChenoweth.com 