TRAINING RESOURCES
The key to doing well during an immersion experience is to start with ourselves. If we wish to see humility, honesty, empowerment, and mutual respect become hallmarks of the Church worldwide, we must begin by embodying these values in our own lives. Then and only then can we, with integrity, ask the same of others. Use these training resources to help guide you and your team to experience transformation that will endure beyond the short duration of an immersion experience. For each session, simply begin by watching the video or reading the article. Continue by reading the content provided and use the questions to prompt discussion.
SESSION ONE
INTEGRAL MISSION
Integral Mission is the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel. It is not simply that evangelism and social involvement are to be done alongside each other. Rather, in integral mission, our proclamation has social consequences as we call people to love and repentance in all areas of life. Our social involvement has evangelistic consequences as we bear witness to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. What do you resonate with as you read about integral mission? Does this give new language to things you have wrestled with or felt before?
2. What is something that challenges you in reading about integral mission?
3. “It is through prayer that we know the heart of God.” Have you experienced this in your life? What do you want to know about the heart of God?
4. “It’s God that will bring justice and free the oppressed” Discuss your reactions to this statement. How might this play out on your trip?
5. Spend some time praying through this: Ask God to challenge you and align your heart with his over the things described in integral mission.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Integral Mission; A New Paradigm by Rene Padilla
SESSION TWO
RESTORE
This session identifies the compassion in our hearts. It is a good and beautiful thing that we have a desire to serve and help others meet their needs. However, because of the unique scenario of immersion trips, it is crucial to pair good intentions with an effective approach through healthy relational structures.
THE POETICE APPROACH
We believe that in our relational journey with the church, our local partners, and the community; we enter as guests, co-labor as partners, and continue as friends.
ENTER AS GUESTS
Invited by the community, we demonstrate humility and a learner’s heart to understand how the community sees its wealth and poverty, to assess its existing strengths and humbly envision opportunities to collaborate around areas of felt need. We recognize that we are visitors; for the community, this is home.
CO-LABOR AS PARTNERS
We celebrate that everyone involved in the work has something valuable to contribute. All partners strive to demonstrate, articulate and evaluate two-way accountability. We value the community’s assets and wisdom as we value our own and will find common ground when opinions differ. Together as equals, we will make decisions that have lasting implications for the community.
CONTINUE AS FRIENDS
Success in our work together will be marked by the community’s capacity to own and sustain the work, and by healthy relationships with the community.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. Remember the story about Joe and Greg. What might Greg have come to believe about his self-worth during a time like this? How might Joe have intervened in a more helpful way?
2. “Programs and projects are often only for the people who are seeking an experience.” What are potential take-aways beyond this experience for yourself? What are ideal take-aways for the people you serve and encounter?
3. “You have to make a long-term commitment to see long-term change”. Reflect on this in light of the relational structures outlined above. What is your role? What is Poetice’s role? The staff on the ground? How does this affect how you engage with staff on the ground?
4. What does long-term commitment look like for you, personally? As a church?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Restore Video Session 2; Restore Video Session 3
SESSION THREE
THE GOOD MISSIONARY
THE GOOD MISSIONARY
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This session presents a personal view of short-term mission trips. It asks us to consider the impact we have as we tell stories about our trip and the individuals we encounter. The stories we choose to tell and the way in which we tell them is a sacred trust between our organization and the congregations, communities, donors, and the poor who work together with us. What we communicate will honor those we serve as we share even those hard lessons learned in a spirit of humility. As you hear from a boy who has dealt with many short-term missionaries, consider how you could posture yourself in a way to leave a positive impact on those you encounter during your time abroad and after you return home.
THE POETICE APPROACH
We believe we must tell the story with integrity.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. It was in these relationships—when I learned about the wider world, got to practice my English, and built some key connections—that I saw the real benefit to having short-term missionaries come to the orphanage.” How does this article affect your goals for your trip?
2. “Programs and projects are often only for the people who are seeking an experience.” What are potential take-aways beyond this experience for yourself? What are ideal take-aways for the people you serve and encounter?
3. “You have to make a long-term commitment to see long-term change”. Reflect on this in light of the relational structures outlined above. What is your role? What is Poetice’s role? The staff on the ground? How does this affect how you engage with staff on the ground?
4. What does long-term commitment look like for you, personally? As a church?
SESSION FOUR
FOREIGN TO FAMILIAR
FOREIGN TO FAMILIAR BOOK SUMMARY
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Though our cultures vary, we believe we are called to live by Kingdom Values. Our faith is at the center of how we behave, and shouldn’t be compromised to accommodate for cultural norms (hot or cold climate) that are not biblical. We are respectful when working with people from various religions, cultures, and backgrounds while always being faithful to our relationship with the living God and our witness to the transformation that only Christ can bring.
This session identifies cultural tendencies. It’s just as important to understand how our own cultural behavior is perceived as it is to understand the culture we are entering. Take time to identify how each category will affect your interactions in pairs, small groups, and as you minister to students.
THE POETICE APPROACH
We believe our Christian faith is at the center of our identity, movie and matter of being.
CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS:
1. What differences were the most striking between cultures? What did you learn about your own culture from reading this?
2. How might relationship vs. task orientation be frustrating in a group setting? How could you posture yourself when being led by an African peer?
3. How might group vs. individual orientation affect group behavior?
4. How might community inclusion vs. privacy affect your possessions when sharing a room with an African friend?
5. Consider how being a guest in a hot climate culture would feel. Regardless of material wealth, how could you receive hospitality in the most honoring way?
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Foreign to Familiar by Sarah A. Lanier
